When Germaine Louis became Dean of the CollegeofHealth and Human Services, she never envisioned servingduringa pandemiclikeCOVID-19.“Certainly,when I accepted theposition in 2017, a pandemicwas not on my horizon—what was on my horizon was bringing togetherthe College’sfaculty, staff, and students tobecomea college of public health.”
When asked aboutleadingthe future college of public health duringCOVID-19, Louis is quick to point out thattheCOVID-19is notthefirst pandemicin her lifetime or her30+ yearcareer as an epidemiologist, referencingthe AIDS pandemic which peaked in the U.S. while Louis was completing hergraduate studies.“Becoming an epidemiologistduring the AIDS pandemic wasimpactfulformeon so many levels,asthisnew infectious agent disproportionately took the lives of young men and women. I sadly recallthestereotyping and other shaming actions on the part of some towards affected individuals. Asa reproductive epidemiologist,I understood whyindividuals withrisky behaviorswereoftenbeingblamedfor their disease,and I recall withgreatpridethe many scientific advances that led to successful treatment and a more compassionate understanding of AIDS."
“Of course,COVID-19is very differentfrom AIDSin many regardswithalarger susceptible populationandits airborne transmission,”says Louis. Still,COVID-19isan importantreminder why public healthisessential for contemporary life.“COVID-19has taught us that it’s almostimpossibleto imagine a world without a strong public health infrastructureto protect the health and safety of all people.”
Louis credits the College's faculty, staff, students, and alumni for theirmanycontributionsinfighting COVID-19and protecting communities, saying“I’ve been incredibly impressed with everyone in theCollegeeach of whomhasstepped up tomake sure we deliver on ouracademicmissionand one that includes practice and community service.”
Leading by example, the Dean has also been activein the University’s response to COVID-19– from helping develop Mason’s randomized surveillancetestingplans to administering vaccinesforthecommunityatthe Mason and PartnerClinics. Louiscan clearly see howher early career as a nurse and then as an epidemiologist led tothis moment.
“I used to tell my nursing colleagues that being a nurse made me a better epidemiologist.What I’d learned in a hospital settingreallyhelped me design better study protocols when focusing on clinical populations. I could think about what itmeantto implementa researchprotocol in a hospital setting for busy nurses and physicians or patients under varying stages of duress. And I really do think thatmyexperience as a nurse wasformidablein the success that Iexperiencedwith clinicalstudies (e.g., Buffalo Women’s Health Study, ENDO Study, and NICHD Fetal Growth Study).What I didn’t expect at the time was thatI would be using some nurseskillsas an epidemiologist in responding to a pandemic,” says Louis.
She reports that prior to volunteering at the MAP Clinic vaccination events, after years of not administering anintramuscular(IM)injection, she was required to refresh her injectionskillsand have her competency checked. “Allof asudden,I wasveryanxiousaboutvaccinatingafter years ofnot doing soas sometechnicalguidance had changed. Mason’s student nurses were a great sourceof reassurance,and they shared tips with me. I have found thatearlytrainingreally never leaves you,and itkicked inwhenIneededitmost. It does remind me ofthe importance of lifelong learning.
Louis shares a story about an opportunity to also bring her training in reproductive epidemiology to bear while vaccinating a group of early childhoodworkers.A young femaleworkerasked ifLouishad a few moments to talk with herafter her vaccination.Shewanted advice onwhen to safely begin trying for pregnancy following her vaccination. “And I thought,'Now that is something I know about,’” said Louis.
After30years as a reproductive epidemiologistand working with couples trying for pregnancy,shewas reminded howdesperatepeople are for reliableinformationabout pregnancy-relatedexposuresandlingeringdata gaps.“My adviceto her was thathealthypregnancies and babiesstart with healthywomen andmothers. And,first and foremost,unlessthere is a contraindication fromher physician,the womanwasdoing the right thing to ensureher ownhealth bybeingvaccinated.I could seethe woman’ssmile behindhermaskand knewthere was a good chance shewould take that message back to sisters, friends,and coworkerswho may have similar questions about the vaccine.”
“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,”says Louis.
When askedforadviceshe would share withfuture generations ofmen and womenabout empowering women who wish to make history in science, health, and leadership- Louis’response is simple and clear: mentorship.
“I know what made a differenceit madein my life – and that was having a mentor(whohappened to bea man)whobelieved in me. When I was worried about finishing my dissertation, he was already talking about myfirstfaculty appointment—before I was even thinking about aposition. When I wasin my first faculty positionandworried about tenure, he wasalready talking about my next careermove. Having someone believe in you or to see something in you that you may not seein yourselfis impactful- you need to pay attention to that.”
Louis believes that academicians havean obligation toseek outstudentswho may have natural leadership abilities orwhootherwise havea skillset or narrative that sets them apartandto talk with them...encourage them foreven more. “Weshould support everyone, butwewillalways need leaders,” she says. “We also need to do a better job of cultivating hunger in our graduates.By that,I meanhelping studentsreally think aboutand become excited aboutpursuinga careerbeyondhavinga job.
Louis closed the conversation by sharing a story about(former director of theNational Institute of General Medical Sciences,deputy director of National Institutes of Health(NIH)in the 1990s,and acting director of theNIHin 1993 and 2000-2002) whoduring a presentation tofemale leaders at NIHonce saidthatwomensometimesneedto‘remind people to think ofyou.’“Her advicehasalwaysresonatedwith me,” said Louis.“It’s ok to self-nominate or to apply for positions even if not invited to do so,as long as you have the qualifications.”Louisalso saysthat womencan help othersby nominating them forawards and special recognitions.“Mostnominationstake time and effort to do well," cautions Louis,“But, if we don't createa culture of recognitionfor women and for future women leaders then we will never have the same recognition as others.”