Zyier Wilcher's Pursuit of Purpose Through Public Health
As he prepares to cross the stage at Morehouse School of 野花社区视频鈥檚 Spring 2025 Commencement,
Master of Public Health candidate Zyier Wilcher is not only reflecting on his time
in graduate school 鈥� he鈥檚 embracing a future grounded in advocacy, access and action.
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and raised across multiple states, including Georgia and Ohio, Zyier describes his upbringing as nomadic. That ever-changing environment shaped how he understood health and educational equity, exposing him to differences in school resources and healthcare access. It wasn鈥檛 just academic 鈥� it was personal. Zyier鈥檚 younger brother lives with sickle cell disease, and over the years, their family witnessed the varying levels of care offered in different communities.
鈥淭hat was a starting point for my interest,鈥� Zyier shared. 鈥淏ut I also lost family members to things like breast cancer. It all became a catalyst for me to help wherever I could.鈥�
After earning his bachelor's degree in health science from Howard University in 2023, Zyier headed straight into 野花社区视频鈥檚 MPH program with goals to not just further his education, but to challenge the idea that HBCUs aren鈥檛 equipped with the same resources as predominately white institutions (PWIs). 鈥淲e鈥檙e always leaving our HBCUs in pursuit of resources,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut how will our schools ever grow if we don鈥檛 invest our time and talent in them?鈥�
At 野花社区视频, Zyier found that investment reciprocated. During his matriculation, Zyier completed meaningful work in internships across sectors and attended multiple conferences that allowed him to broaden his perspective on healthcare leadership and public health advocacy. His master鈥檚 research focused on developing an intervention for suicide prevention among African American adolescents at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, a topic he is passionate about due to personal experiences with mental health and the increasing rates of suicide among African American adolescents.
Zyier also worked closely with community partners, from food banks to the Historic Westside Cultural Arts Council for their annual Festival of Lights, as part of the MPH program鈥檚 deeply embedded commitment to community engagement. He even helped coordinate the MPH program鈥檚 annual Community Health Fair and participated in the American Red Cross鈥� Sickle Cell Initiative through the HBCU Leadership Ambassador Program.
鈥淔or me, public health is all about ensuring the conditions in which people can be healthy,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether that鈥檚 building a clinic, providing health education, or advocating for changes in policy, it all matters.鈥�
Looking ahead, Zyier hopes to continue designing culturally responsive health interventions and work in healthcare administration 鈥� a path inspired by his internship at Stanford Children鈥檚 Hospital. He鈥檚 also passionate about mentoring first-generation and low-income students, aiming to help others navigate spaces he鈥檚 had to figure out for himself.
And while the road beyond graduation may be wide open, Zyier sees commencement as a moment of clarity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a celebration of accomplishments and an acknowledgement of the knowledge you鈥檝e acquired, but it鈥檚 not the end,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the beginning of the work.鈥�
About the Author
Michael Martin is a content strategist who believes in crafting compelling stories that inspire and connect. With a pen for storytelling, he brings the journeys of future physicians to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.
Contact
Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu