Eleven years ago, Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas considered public health as a career option.
“I wanted to make a difference in communities and dedicate myself to helping individuals lead healthy lives,” he said in his address to the College of Public Health graduates at the convocation on Dec. 20 in the Durham Western Heritage Museum.
Fate led him to make a difference in public education, teaching children in New York’s roughest neighborhoods, where he learned how communities shape people’s lives. For his work Sen. Vargas received two highly acclaimed teaching awards, from the New York City Council and the Lions Club.
Sen. Vargas, who represents the seventh district of southeastern Omaha, is executive director of Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance and has a background in health care and lead contamination public policy. He also recently served on the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education.
In addressing the graduates, Sen. Vargas offered the graduates four pieces of advice.
“Approach your work with urgency and empathy, remember that apathy is no longer an option, your job is to build bridges and unite communities, and finally, focus on the impact you make because often you will be the unsung hero.
“Public health services are critical to moving this country forward. Science is under attack and you are tasked to defend the facts. Stand your ground and remind the country that we have problems that need to be addressed,” Sen. Vargas said.
At the convocation, 24 master’s of public health and five certificates for summer and fall graduates were awarded, and eight doctoral and one master’s of science degree recipients were recognized.