Kelechi
Kelechi Obika, REHS/RS, MPH is a Health Agent for the Town of Hopkinton. We spoke with Kelechi about his journey to public health and what he brings to his community. He offered advice for early-career professionals looking for a mission-driven career with a variety of responsibilities and opportunities to build community.
Q: Tell us about your role in local public health and what you do.
A: My primary role is to promote public health programs within Hopkinton. That can be a lot of different things – environmental health, food safety and protection, local and state code enforcement – all to keep people safe.
Now that I work in local public health, I see its importance. Every town has some public health protections in place. Whether you are in a restaurant, on a beach, or in a pool, there are local public health professionals who oversee those operations 24/7. When you have this kind of oversight, you see the difference in the community's health outcomes. Being a health agent means that you are responsible for a large set of responsibilities in the community. Being a health agent is unique since there are many aspects to the position.
Q: Describe your early career with the Town of Hopkinton and what you gained.
A: Early on in Hopkinton, I was excited to address all the challenges that the community faced during the pandemic. The department was also in a state of transition and a lot of regularly scheduled inspections and programs needed attention at a time when we were short-staffed. I think that I came in at the right time and helped to off-load some of the strain and workload. I had to learn a lot very quickly and I believe that helped me in my job and added another skill to my tool box.
Q: What do you like most about working in local public health?
A: I really enjoy working in local public health because I have always been a social person who enjoys helping others. I enjoy being a dependable resource to the community. Human connection is important in local public health and you must want to help people. I like being a comfort and problem-solver.
Q: What advice do you have for someone looking to begin a local public health career?
A: Roles like this are great for people who like to work directly with the public, want to help people, and want to apply practical skills. Be patient with yourself. You will learn as you go. There will be a lot of new material, but with time and practice you will gain more expertise and grow.
Tell Us Why You Work in Local Public Health
Want to share your local public health story? Email us at localregionalpublichealth@mass.gov, and we’ll get in touch! We would love to share the diverse voices and experiences of those who work in communities to support public health.