Kenneshia J. Cohen, BA, BS

Kenneshia Cohen graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte (UNCC) in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating in Cell and Physiology, a minor in Public Health, and a Bachelor of Arts in History. During her time at UNCC, she participated in the History Club, Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, National Residence Hall Honorary, and an internship with the North Carolina PhysioCamp. Ms. Cohen’s participation in these organizations allowed her to focus on community service.

While at UNCC, Ms. Cohen obtained a certificate in Phlebotomy from the Carolina School of Phlebotomy, leading to a career in Phlebotomy. As a phlebotomist, she worked at a senior primary care facility. Here, she developed a passion for senior healthcare and addressing the health disparities affecting older populations.

Ms. Cohen currently attends Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, where she is pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health and Violence Prevention. At Tulane, she is a Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Scholar, a Student Admissions Ambassador, and on the executive board of the Society of Young Black Public Health Professionals. Ms. Cohen has also taken the summer to participate in the Ferguson Summer R.I.S.E program. During this summer program she studied the effects of COVID-19 in the Black and Latinx population of Georgia. This summer strengthened Ms. Cohen’s desire to address health disparities at every level.

While attending Tulane, Ms. Cohen discovered her ultimate Public Health passion: reducing pregnancy-associated homicide rates in southern African American women. She has begun working with the university’s Violence Prevention Center to study the impacts of pregnancy-associated homicide on New Orleans. After graduation, Ms. Cohen plans to attend medical school to become an obstetrician/gynecologist so that she can continue her work in reducing the rates of pregnancy-associated homicide in southern African American women.