In spring of 2023, Kirby MacKinnon ’24 studied global health at the University of Otago, New Zealand, where she took classes in health systems across the globe and human health across lifespan, nutrition, and anthropology. MacKinnon also absorbed healthcare culture from the Maori perspective due to the impact the Pacific Islands have on New Zealand. MacKinnon followed her study abroad in New Zealand with a fall semester in Rome.
The Calgary, Canada, native appreciates that global health evaluates populations rather than individuals, so she can “create ways and new ideas to remove health barriers for many individuals, compared to just one.” MacKinnon is seeking a job in healthcare administration or pharmaceutical administration, and she plans to complete her MBA specializing in healthcare.