CHS Alum and Current UK Pharmacy Student Advocates for Kentucky Youth Health

By Ella Rosner
CHS Contributor

Griffin Nemeth always looks to put himself in new and challenging situations — and he rarely says no to a new opportunity.

That’s how, this fall, the 21-year-old from Mason, Ohio, traveled to Frankfort to testify at a hearing of the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing & Occupations within the Kentucky General Assembly. The intent of the trip was to educate legislators on the need to protect Kentucky’s youth from tobacco industry manipulation, with additional hopes to implement a policy that will enforce stricter tobacco laws in the Commonwealth.

Nemeth, currently enrolled in UK’s College of Pharmacy, completed his undergraduate degree in Human Health Sciences. He chose HHS as his undergraduate degree because he believed it was “an opportunity for experiential learning beyond the classroom.” He also said he was interested in the interdisciplinary approach that the major offers for pre-professional health degrees.

“I think there is no better undergraduate program for a future provider than one which values such a comprehensive scope of understanding among its students,” Nemeth said. He explained that CHS prepared him for pharmacy school, but beyond that, it also prepared him to address and talk about complex issues in healthcare such as health disparities, health outcomes, and patient safety.

And that plays a pivotal role when it comes to his advocacy.

Now, Nemeth finds himself utilizing his education from CHS as both a pharmacy student and as an advocate. He has been involved in #iCANendthetrend, a program that aims to promote prevention of tobacco use for youth and Kentuckians, for almost two years. 

“I pour an incredible amount — and probably too much — of my time into my advocacy work, especially, but that is because it is what I enjoy,” Nemeth said.

Nemeth explained that his mindset has completely shifted after completing his undergraduate studies. He believes it is important to “often put yourself in new, and sometimes uncomfortable, situations,” and to never say no when an opportunity arises. He attributes his success and growth to seeking out challenges and new experiences.

“Each and every day that I stay engaged in advocacy, I am drawn more closely to politics or finding a career through which I can continue my work in tobacco prevention,” he said.

Here’s 5 questions with CHS alum and Kentucky health advocate Griffin Nemeth:

1. Why did you choose HHS as your undergrad major?

   I chose HHS because I saw it as an opportunity for experiential learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, the HHS program offered an interdisciplinary approach to health sciences education, which I thought would position me well for any healthcare career path I might choose to pursue.

2. Why were you in Frankfort and what were you advocating for?

   I was recently in Frankfort to testify at a hearing of the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing & Occupations within the Kentucky General Assembly. Our goal was to educate legislators on the need for stronger protection of youth from tobacco industry manipulation by way of calling for policy which effectively enforces the Tobacco 21 law in our state.

3. How did you become involved with #icanendthetrend?

   I became involved in #iCANendthetrend after applying to a job posting sent by the program to Dr. Warren in CHS. Dr. Warren forwarded the posting to our class page, and I found myself curious after reading the posting, which was for the program's youth advisory board coordinator position. I have worked with and mentored youth all my life, and I saw involvement in #iCANendthetrend as an opportunity to continue what I already loved. I had done no prior work in tobacco prevention, but I am not one to shy away from a new learning experience.

4. How did CHS help you prepare for pharmacy school as well as your involvement now?

   My education and experiences while a student of CHS were critical in shaping my approach to patient care. CHS uniquely exposes students to all facets of healthcare beyond the traditional "clinical" experience, providing classes in measuring health outcomes, assuring patient safety, addressing healthcare disparities, and improving healthcare value. I think there is no better undergraduate program for a future provider than one which values such a comprehensive scope of understanding among its students. CHS prepared me well for pharmacy school, yes, but more so, it prepared me to talk to people about complex issues in healthcare. That is a skill which I use every day, both in my academics and in my advocacy work.

5. What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

   I wish I had a step-by-step guide: both so I could show others how I got to be where I am and so I could show myself how I got to be where I am. I often forget to appreciate the journey I took to reach success in my academic and professional endeavors. It was hard. It is still hard. But much more, it is rewarding. Nearly two years into the tobacco prevention field, I am still finding new things by which I am captivated.

   What is important for any venture, whether academic, professional, or personal, is that you often put yourself in new, and sometimes uncomfortable, situations. I still regularly do so, and that is what affords me many of the opportunities with which I am presented. I like to say that I've made my place by never saying no, which is not entirely true, but being okay with (and really seeking) all sorts of challenges and novel experiences is how I've made my footprint and continue to grow.