Robert Hill
For Nova Southeastern university (NSU) alumni Robert Hill, the importance of living healthy is a key to career success.
As a young man, Robert struggled with obesity. He and his family moved from north Idaho to South Florida for a fresh start. With the help of bariatric surgery and support from his parents and community, Robert began to improve his health and diet.
“I wanted to find a career where I could educate people to live healthier lives and let them know that they are not alone,” says Hill, who graduated in 2016 from NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine’s public health program in 2016.
Today, Robert brings the skills and expertise he gained at NSU directly to the people in his community. In his role as Vice President of Community Impact for the American Heart Association, Robert works with partners to develop initiatives that fight heart disease and stroke.
“What a gift my education has given me that I can go to families and young children struggling with obesity and other health issues and give them options so that they can be more empowered to make healthier choices,” he said.
Robert originally considered psychology as a career path. He attended Broward College and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida. After conducting health equity research and participating in a self-empowerment program as part of his studies, Robert’s health continued to improve. He also gained wellness insights through work at FLIPANY, a community organization that serves nutritious food and encourages healthy eating and exercise, and AmeriCorps.
Through his personal challenges, combined with his community experiences, Robert realized his true calling.
“I discovered that I could turn my passion for helping others into a meaningful career by pursuing the field of public health,” said Robert.
After enrolling in NSU’s Master of Public Health program, Robert gained field experience by working for the Broward Regional Health Planning Council, an organization he still collaborates with today.
While Robert was earning his MPH, he found himself caring for his mother who had cancer.
“I know for a fact that I would not have been able to be there for my mom, keep working, and get my degree at any other school besides NSU,” he said. “The relationships I had with my professors allowed me the opportunity to take a leave of absence and return to finish my degree. I could not have felt more supported or valued.”
For Robert, community is everything when it comes to his work and his outlook. From advocating statewide change to emergency response operations to working directly with at risk youth, he brings his message of hope to his community, including to his alma mater, where he is frequently gives talks to students about his personal and educational journey.
“My relationship with NSU is important to my professional success as I communicate with students and community members in a way that will inspire better health through knowledge.”
The experiences that inspired Robert are unique, but he knows that everyone has their own story. With his refined ability to connect with people, he works to make a difference in people’s lives. And that’s exactly what first brought him to NSU.
“At NSU, I found the support, the leadership, and incredible faculty that gave me the opportunity to succeed far beyond the classroom. It’s where I found my passion and connected with the community – the most important things to me,” he said.
