At a glance
Cheryl Dietrich shares how her passion for public health led to a career in global health. During a fellowship with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cheryl had the opportunity to support survey teams visit thousands of households across South Africa to gather data that helps connect people living with HIV to treatment and inform HIV prevention programs.
Cheryl's Story
Photo by: Thom Pierce 2018
When she was a young girl growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cheryl Dietrich wanted to be an equestrian. More than anything else, she loved that feeling of flight when the horse was at the apex of its jump. This need for forward motion drove Cheryl to accept an opportunity to travel to Madagascar as part of a study abroad program in public health. The trip ignited a spark and a lifelong passion for the field. Years later, this passion has taken her across the globe, from Senegal to the Democratic Republic of Congo to Malawi - working with some of the world's leading public health agencies to battle some of the world's deadliest epidemics.
Her travels eventually took her to Johannesburg, South Africa where, as a public health fellow for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she helped to support the nation's largest household survey on HIV. Under the leadership of the South African government, survey teams visit thousands of households across the country to gather data—interviewing people, implementing rapid HIV tests and providing test results to participants in minutes. It's all part of an effort to help the country end this deadly epidemic by highlighting not only the impact of current efforts, but the gaps and challenges that remain. "I may not be a doctor or have direct interaction with patients, but I get to play a role," she says. "I get to help those making the decisions have the best data and the best information to ultimately bring an end to this epidemic. And that's a great feeling!"