����������

By Amy Matzke-Fawcett

For some, a cardiology office might not seem like the place to find love, but for Old Dominion University graduates Samantha and Jack Bloomquist, it was the perfect spot. The couple not only found each other, but found an interest in public health. Both graduated as part of the first cohort of the Joint School of Public Health, a partnership with Norfolk State University, in December 2025.

Their graduation is a milestone they say reflects both personal growth and a shared commitment to improving community health. The couple, ages 30 and 32, each earned a degree aligned with their career goals. Samantha received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, while Jack completed a Master of Public Health.

It was a path neither planned to take. For Samantha, public health was not an obvious choice at first.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in school,” she said. “I thought about nursing because I wanted to help patients and improve health equity, but I didn’t know what else was out there.”

A conversation with an academic advisor changed that trajectory. After learning about public health, a field not previously considered, she connected to another advisor who helped her explore the discipline’s focus on prevention, community outreach and population-level impact.

Jack, who overheard those early conversations, soon found himself intrigued, as well.

“I had already finished my undergraduate degree in business administration from Old Dominion in 2016, but I kept changing directions,” he said. “Public health sounded interesting, especially environmental and global health, and it ended up scratching that itch for me.”

Public health is only one connection for the couple. They attended the same middle and high schools and shared dozens of mutual friends, but reconnected years later when Jack was a patient in the cardiology office where Samantha worked in reception. They married in October 2021.

Today, Samantha works in population health in Virginia Beach, focusing on closing gaps in preventive care, including cancer screenings, blood pressure monitoring and diabetic eye exams.

“A lot of what I do now is outreach and prevention,” she said. “That’s where public health really shows its value.”

She previously earned a certification in medical assisting and said she continues to weigh future options, including physician assistant school, while remaining drawn to community-based and patient-centered work.

Jack works for a managed care support contractor that helps manage the Tricare program for military beneficiaries. He said his M.P.H. has strengthened his ability to understand health systems and population needs.

“My goal is to grow in my role and integrate public-health focused initiatives in my career,” he said. “Understanding the bigger picture of care always helps.”

The Bloomquists said faculty mentorship played a key role in their education, particularly courses taught by epidemiology professor Abdullah Al-Taiar, MD, D.C.H., Ph.D.

“He takes subject matter that could feel dry and makes it incredibly engaging,” Jack said.

Samantha agreed, noting that his background as a pediatrician helped connect theory to real-world impact.

Reflecting on her own uncertainty as a student, Samantha offered advice to those still exploring their options.

“It’s OK not to know what path you want to take,” she said. “Public health shows you there’s more to health care than just being a doctor or a nurse; there’s prevention, administration and community outreach. Ask questions. Look at the courses. See what’s out there.”

Jack echoed that sentiment.

“Public health is everywhere,” he said. “The food you eat, the water you drink, the parks you walk in — it all connects. Anyone can find a piece of public health that speaks to them.”

As they move forward professionally, the Bloomquists said they are grateful their individual journeys led them to the same field and future public health opportunities. And, most of all, they are grateful to have found each other.