Delaenam Akahoho, a proud double Bull alumna of Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s (COPH), has charted a path from her childhood in Accra, Ghana, to a successful career in public health. Growing up in Okeechobee, Fla., Akahoho’s experiences with community and public health challenges have shaped her commitment to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
"I was born in Accra, Ghana, and my family moved to the United States when I was six years old," Akahoho explained. "We settled in Okeechobee, Fla., a small town where I spent my early childhood and adolescence. Growing up in Okeechobee had its challenges, but it also taught me valuable lessons about community and connection."
She added that living in Okeechobee gave her a strong sense of self, "I realized early on that I liked who I was, regardless of what others thought about me."
Her experiences in this semi-rural area exposed her to the limitations of public health infrastructure, fueling her desire to work toward change.
"I witnessed the negative impact that a lack of strong public health infrastructure can have on a community. These experiences have shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for improving public health," Akahoho said.
Her interest in public health began during her high school years, but it wasn’t until later that she discovered the field more formally.
"It wasn’t until college that I started to hear about the term 'public health,'" Akahoho recalled. "My resident assistant on campus had a minor in public health and our discussions sparked my interest in obtaining a minor in the subject."
A seminar on Black maternal mortality, led by , left a lasting impact on Akahoho.
"Her words still echo today; 'These aren’t just numbers on a graph, these are mothers, families,'" Akahoho said. "It was during this experience that I felt a profound calling to public health."
The holistic approach of public health, with its focus on improving health outcomes for entire populations, fascinated her.
"Public health is a heavily proactive discipline. The idea that data drives evidence-based interventions that benefit culturally rich communities is something that deeply aligns with my core values," Akahoho explained.
Akahoho’s earned her in biological health science in 2021.
Choosing to return to the COPH for her graduate studies was a decision that brought clarity.
"USF gave me a strong sense of belonging and helped me feel certain about my choice to pursue a public health degree there," Akahoho said. "The COPH faculty and staff nurtured my growing passion for the field. Their expertise, support and human-centered approach to teaching made my decision to choose Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV an easy one."
During her time at COPH, Akahoho engaged in a range of impactful community-centered work, particularly as a . One of her proudest accomplishments was her involvement in supporting the EnVision Resolution, a movement aimed at highlighting public health challenges in Hillsborough County among the ethnic global majority.
"I am proud of the work that I was able to do in supporting the EnVision Resolution," Akahoho said. "This initiative focused on educating the community about this issue and championing the ongoing implementation of the resolution."
Reflecting on her time at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV, Akahoho fondly recalled the people who had the most significant influence on her.
"Actually, the people are my favorite memory," she said. "From 's jokes to 's enthusiasm to 's 'it depends.' I really appreciated the tender moments shared with my MCH faculty and friends."
Akahoho completed her (MPH) in 2023, with dual concentrations in and , as well as a graduate certificate in . She also became certified in public health (CPH).
Akahoho (middle left) attended the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conference to collaborate with other federal partners along with work friends connected through the HRSA Fellowship and HRSA Scholar Program. (Photo courtesy of Akahoho)
After graduating, Akahoho took on a role as a public health analyst at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Bureau of Primary Care Office of Quality Improvement’s Center for Health Center Innovation.
"In my daily work, I support health centers by providing specialized technical assistance as they strengthen transitions in care for people who will soon be released from jail or prison," Akahoho explained.
Her work at HRSA also includes applying her epidemiology skills to analyze and evaluate health programs.
"I use my training in data analysis and surveillance to monitor and evaluate trends," she said. "Recently, I supported my team in completing a longitudinal trend analysis for one of our quality improvement fund projects. This experience allowed me to leverage evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of public health programs."
Akahoho’s time as a HRSA fellow provided her with the opportunity to explore and appreciate the mission of the health center program.
"During the fellowship, I grew an appreciation for the mission of the health center program and decided to stay," Akahoho said. "I enjoy collaborating with my team to identify gaps and strategize on how we can enhance the success of the health center program model of care."
Akahoho (center) presented to HRSA senior leadership on her work with the quality improvement fund. She presented her findings and next steps from her team's longitudinal analysis, which she helped lead. (Photo courtesy of Akahoho)
Looking toward the future, Akahoho has clear aspirations. "I hope to continue serving the American people by making data-informed decisions and centering the voices and lived experiences of communities with limited access to opportunities," she said. "I also hope to return to the COPH soon for my last and final degree! I’d like to learn new recipes, start a family and retire in my home country of Ghana. I want to die knowing I’ve done everything God created me to do. I feel I am on the right path, and I thank Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s COPH for that."
Reflecting on the growth of the COPH, Akahoho shared her pride of the continued unity within the COPH community.
"Despite the growth, we are still very unified in our ‘GO BULLS!’. When I meet a Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV COPH graduate, I just know," she said. "The sustained culture of humility, passion and drive is what delights me."
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
I thought a doctor, but I remember confirming with my most trusted source, my mom, and she mentioned I wanted to be a teacher.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
In bed, at a vinyl shop and maybe at a restaurant, but most of the time at church .
What is the last book you read?
The Bible.
What superpower would you like to have?
To automatically transfer joy to people who need it. Having joy in this life is important.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
The Lion King (animated version).