Elayna Bassuk’s early interest in public health research began simply, with a desire to understand her mother’s genetic condition. It didn’t take long for her initial curiosity to bloom into a full-blown passion that has led this Class of 2026 graduate around the world and back again. As a participant in the University of Miami’s selective 4+1 program, Bassuk earned Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.S.P.H) magna cum laude from the School of Nursing and Health Studies this May and is on track to complete her Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) at the Miller School of Medicine in 2027.
“I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship, experiences, and support that guided me along this journey,” she said. “These experiences profoundly shaped my perspective on global health and equity.” They also instilled Bassuk with the confidence to be a leader, including serving as president of Emboldening Students in Healthcare Administration and as incoming president of the Public Health Student Association, both at the Miller School.
Meanwhile, Bassuk will spend this summer in her native New Jersey for an internship supporting oncology clinical trial management with biopharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., maker of blockbuster immunotherapy drug Keytruda. “I am excited to gain a new perspective in health care through the pharmaceutical industry and further advance my knowledge at the intersection of my two passions: oncology and health management,” she said.
Bassuk first came to Miami as a high schooler, taking classes in cancer biology and health promotion through the University’s Summer Scholars program. When her parents moved to Boca Raton, her college choice became even more evident. “I had always wanted to come to the University of Miami,” she said. “I applied early decision. It was my top choice. I toured the School of Nursing and Health Studies and really liked it.” (Equally impressed, her father, David Bassuk, joined the Dean’s Advisory Committee.)
Elayna Bassuk has since contributed to multiple studies, traveled to at least three countries as part of her global health education, and coauthored publications for academic journals and conferences. In her first year, she volunteered for the Vidot Lab Herbal Heart Study at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, leading to a credited position in the lab, including as a translator, converting lab protocols and interview scripts from English to Spanish to expand access to study participation.
Bassuk minored in Spanish and health management and policy, leveraging both concentrations to take part in the school’s transcultural global health program in Madrid. Sophomore year, she was invited to join the Miller School’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), where her work on understanding how extreme heat impacts people living with cancer in Miami-Dade County led to a poster presentation in Washington, D.C.
But it was Bassuk’s desire to return to Africa, where she first visited during her Spain program, that led to a formative experience working on youth empowerment with youngsters and staff at a nonprofit community center in Tanzania. “Last summer’s research experience in Tanzania was incredibly impactful and culturally immersive,” she said. “It brings a great deal of joy to remain connected, exchange support, and share positive messages with friends who have had a lasting impact on me, reinforcing the importance of global connection and sustained engagement in public health work.”
Earlier this year, Bassuk went on a Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida mission trip to Jamaica. There she was able to shadow medical teams perform open-heart surgeries for children in underserved communities. “Being part of this mission allowed me to witness the direct impact of global health collaboration and the importance of sustainable, system-level approaches to care,” she said. “I saw the coordination required across interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex, life-saving care. This experience reinforced the interconnectedness of clinical medicine and public health, highlighting how individual patient outcomes are shaped not only by surgical expertise, but also by systems of care, communication, and long-term support.” It also led the nonprofit to make her its “coordinator of logistics and nursing education,” she added.
In her final semester, for her required field practicum in community health, Bassuk worked with the American Red Cross to plan, execute, and evaluate a community-based intervention to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience among Miami-Dade County youth. She designed a theory-informed curriculum, supported coordination of program logistics across multiple stakeholders, and presented findings from her study to the nonprofit’s organizational leadership. “The School of Nursing and Health Studies has prepared me to engage with health care from both a clinical and population health perspective,” said Bassuk. “The public health curriculum builds a strong foundation of knowledge and, in the final semester, allows us to apply it independently while still guiding our thinking, theory-driven approaches, and overall success.”
The U “opened doors I never imagined possible,” she added, citing the 4+1 program and Merck internship, among other opportunities. “I will deeply miss the tight-knit community and friendships forged with both classmates and professors. These connections are not just friendships, but a network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for public health and contributing to the greater good.”
Bassuk sees herself as well-prepared for a health management role in which she integrates tech and AI innovations strategically to optimize health system efficiency, access, and patient outcomes. “I hope to explore opportunities in oncology-focused research and health care strategy, with the goal of translating innovation into meaningful improvements within patient care," she explained. As Bassuk’s eye-opening journey unfolds into the future, her North Star will always be public health. “Regardless of shifts in political climate, funding, or broader societal challenges, this field, public health, does not back down in the face of difficulty,” she said. “Rather, it becomes essential that we respond with resilience and commitment to improving health outcomes.”
