Antiguan registered nurse and Chartered Director Julien David Kentish has returned home after earning an International Master of Public

Health

from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with plans to promote prevention and data-driven healthcare in Antigua and Barbuda.

Kentish completed his studies at the Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, where he was the only Caribbean student in an international cohort.

His research focused on childhood obesity and healthy family feeding during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy through a child’s second birthday. The study examined the experiences of healthcare workers and caregivers in Antigua and Barbuda.

“Public health challenges cannot be addressed only when people arrive at the hospital or clinic,” Kentish said. “We have to strengthen prevention, use data more effectively, invest in healthier communities and develop systems that respond to the needs of our population before illness becomes a crisis.”

While in Israel, Kentish also engaged with clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders, gaining exposure to healthcare delivery, nursing leadership and innovation.

He hopes to contribute to public health planning, epidemiology and surveillance, maternal and child health, non-communicable disease prevention, patient safety and healthcare governance.

“I left Antigua and Barbuda to learn, to challenge myself and to broaden my understanding of health beyond the bedside,” Kentish said. “I return with a greater responsibility to use that knowledge in service to my country and region.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antiguan Nurse Returns from Jerusalem with Public Health Degree.