Union County Review

Janiah Fladger ’24 expressed her passion for public health advocacy for marginalized communities, stating, “Everyone has a right to have healthy reproductive health, and a right to their own body. I just realized the impact I could have on marginalized individuals.”

Fladger, a recent summa cum laude graduate of Kean University, is set to pursue her graduate studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a focus on maternal, infant, and family health. She shared her goal of developing community-centered programs to enhance health outcomes and promote equity in reproductive and sexual healthcare services.

Reflecting on her journey, Fladger credited Professor Consuelo Bonillas as a significant influence in her academic path, recalling, “She was talking about the program, and I thought, ‘I want her as my professor.’” Fladger's dedication and contributions were also commended by Kean Senior Vice President Joseph Youngblood, who highlighted her commitment to public health in marginalized communities.

Bonillas, Fladger's faculty advisor, praised her enthusiasm and eagerness to make a difference, stating, “Since the first time I met Janiah, before she started at Kean, she was full of energy and a passion for learning and discovery. That spark only grew as I worked with her at Kean.”

Fladger's involvement in internships and campus projects reflects her commitment to addressing health disparities, particularly within minority communities. She expressed her aspiration to support and improve community health, emphasizing her desire to give back to the communities that have shaped her.

As she embarks on her academic and career journey in public health advocacy, Fladger articulated her vision to broaden her understanding of reproductive rights and health equity, stating, “I plan to travel the country and gain global experiences to help expand my understanding of reproductive rights and health equity from different perspectives.”

With a steadfast commitment to advocating for marginalized communities, Janiah Fladger exemplifies the dedication and passion needed to effect positive change in public health and healthcare disparities.