About

About The Public Health Path

The Public Health Path was launched in 2021 as a free and independent resource for students interested in pursuing a career in public health and public health professionals who are looking to expand their professional careers. 

Our aim is to be a complete resource for public health career development and professional growth.

The site was founded by Dr. Julie Reagan. Dr. Reagan holds a masters and doctorate degree in public health. She has over four decades of public health experience in various career roles. She has worked as a public health practitioner, a public health lawyer, and a professor in colleges of public health and health professions. All content on this website has been produced by Dr. Reagan or provided under her direction.

There is much to consider when pursuing a career in public health. Within this broad field, there are several types of degrees and many sub-concentrations. For example, public health students can choose between degrees and concentrations in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental science, behavioral health, and much more. When you are just starting out in the field, it’s difficult to determine or even know which direction to go. That’s why it is so important to have resources such as the Public Health Path to guide you along the way. 

The Public Health Path will provide you with valuable information about which degree to pursue whether it’s a certificate, a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree. We are here to help you whether you are studying behavioral health, community health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, or any of the other myriad of choices in the public health field.

We’re so glad you are here!

About Dr. Julie Reagan

The Public Health Path was founded by Dr. Julie Reagan in April 2021.

Dr. Julie Reagan

Julie Reagan, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Professor at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She teaches Ethics for the Health Professions and Legal Concepts in Healthcare for the College of Health Professions, Health Administration Department. Dr. Reagan is also a Texas licensed attorney with over 25 years of experience as a state government attorney, primarily at public health agencies.

Dr. Reagan’s primary research focus pertains to infectious diseases, primarily healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in healthcare facilities. She is also a public health law expert.

Dr. Reagan was the 2018 recipient of the American Public Health Association, Law Section, Jennifer Robbins Award for the Practice of Public Health Law. This award recognizes an individual, typically at mid-career, for outstanding dedication and leadership in the field of public health law. The individual’s major contributions should have the potential for significant and long-term impact on the field.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of Dr. Reagan or contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas State University. 

Education

  • Ph.D. in Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health (2010)
  • M.P.H. Master of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health (1995)
  • J.D. University of Houston, Law Center (1993)
  • B.S. in Health Education, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas (1990)
  • A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene, Bee County College, Beeville, Texas (1979)

Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor, Texas State University, College of Health Professions, School of Health Administration, San Marcos, Texas (2019 – current)
  • Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, Georgia (2019)
  • Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Statesboro, Georgia (2014 – 2019)
  • Attorney and Healthcare Consultant, HAI Focus, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2009 – 2014)
  • Deputy General Counsel, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico (2009)
  • Assistant General Counsel, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico (2008 – 2009)
  • HIPAA Chief Privacy Officer, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, New Mexico (2008-2009)
  • Assistant General Counsel, Texas Department of Human Services, Austin, Texas (2000-2003)
  • Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas, Office of the Attorney General, Austin, Texas (2000)
  • Appellate Staff Attorney, State of Texas, Ninth Court of Appeals, Beaumont, Texas (1997 – 2000)
  • Registered Dental Hygienist, Texas (1979 – 1987)

Select Publications

Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, de Cordova PB, Herzig C, Dick A, Reagan J, Stone P. State Mandated Healthcare-Associated Infection Increases the Perceived Burden on Infection Prevention and Control Departments in Acute Care Hospitals. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(2), 118-122.

Stephens, JH, Ledlow, GR, Sack MV, Reagan JK. An Analysis of the Massachusetts Healthcare Law. Hospital Topics. Published online April 5, 2017. DOI: 10.1080/00185868.2017.1300473.

Liu H, Herzig CTA, Dick AW, Furuya EY, Larson E, Reagan J, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Stone PW. Impact of state reporting laws on central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in US adult intensive care units. Health Services Research. Published online July 24, 2016. DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.12530.

Rohde RE, Felkner M, Reagan J, Mitchel AH, Tille P.  Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI): The Perfect Storm Has Arrived! Clin Lab Sci. 2016;29(1):28-31.

Tille P, Rohde RE, Reagan J, Felkner M, Mitchell AH. The Perfect Storm: Emerging Trends and Pathogens in Healthcare. Clin Lab Sci. 2016;29(1):32-38.

Reagan J, Rohde RE, Mitchell AH, Felkner M, Tille P. The Legal Landscape: HAI Public Reporting in the United States. Clin Lab Sci. 2016;29(1):39-43.

Mitchell AH, Rohde RE, Tille P, Reagan J, Felkner M.  The Changing Role of the Healthcare Environment. Clin Lab Sci. 2016;29(1):44-48.

Lillis CJ, Reagan J. Nursing homes should be required to report C. diff infections just like hospitals do. Cleveland.com in partnership with The Plain Dealer. Sept. 6, 2016.

Stone PW, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Reagan J, Merrill JA, Sperber B, Cairns C, Penn M, Ramanthan T, Mothershed E, Skillen E. Impact of Laws Aimed at Healthcare-Associated Infection Reduction: A Qualitative Study. BMJ Quality & Safety. 2015; 0:1-8.

Reagan J, Herzig CT, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Dick AW, Stone PW, Srinath D.  State Law Mandates for Reporting of Healthcare-Associated Clostridium difficile Infections in Hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2015;36: 350-352.

Herzig CT, Reagan J, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Srinath D, Stone PW. State mandated reporting of healthcare-associated infections in the United States: Trends over time. American Journal of Medical Quality. 2015;30(5):417-424.

Zachariah P, Reagan J, Furuya EY, Edwards J, Dick A, Liu H, Herzig C, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Stone PW, Saiman L.  The Association of Legislative Mandates for Reporting Central Line-associated Blood Stream Infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Units with Process and Outcome Measures.  Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2014;35(9):1133-1139. 

Rohde RE, Reagan J.  MRSA: Science and the Law.  Advance for Administrators of the Laboratory 2014; 23(3): 30, 32-33.  

Makary M, Aswani M, Ibrahim A, Reagan J, Wick E, Pronovost P. Variation in Surgical Site Infection Reporting by State: A Call for National Standards. Journal for Healthcare Quality. 2013;35(2):41-46.

Reagan J, Hacker CS. Laws Pertaining to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): A Review of Three Legal Requirements. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2012;33(1):75-80.

Aswani M, Reagan J, Jin L, Pronovost P, Goeschel C. Variation in Public Reporting of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections by State. American Journal of Medical Quality. September/October 2011;26:387-395.

Grimes RM, Helfgott A, Watson J Reagan, Eriksen NL. New Law Calls for HIV Testing of Pregnant Patients. Texas D.O. 1996; XXXXXIII(2):14-16.

Grimes RM, Helfgott A, Watson J Reagan, Eriksen NL. For Children’s Sake, New Law Mandates HIV Testing of Pregnant Patients. Texas Medicine 1996; 92(1):36-40.

Hacker, Carl, and Watson, J Reagan. Law, AIDS, and Nurses, in AIDS and HIV Infection. Mosby’s Clinical Nursing Series 185-195 (Grimes DE and Grimes RM, eds., 1994), Mosby, St. Louis, Missouri.

Speaking Engagements and Conference Proceedings

Hansen KE, Daly ER, Bryan N, Bimbaum DW, Stricof R, Reagan J, Mercedes L, Cairns C, Kainer MA. Continuing the Conversation: Drug Diversion in Healthcare Facilities and Defining the Role of Public Health. 2016 CSTE Annual Conference. (June 19-23, 2016).

Reagan, J. Clostridium difficile: The State Regulatory Landscape. Peggy Lillis Foundation. C. diff Advocates Summit.  New York City, New York. (August 21-22, 2015).

Reagan, J. Meeting the Challenge of Comprehensive and Accurate Validation of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).  APIC New Mexico.  The Heart of Infection Control 18th Conference. Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Feb. 21, 2014).

Reagan, J. Meeting the Challenge of Comprehensive and Accurate Validation of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (Keynote speaker).  APIC Houston, Texas Chapter 006, Luncheon and Vendor Fair.  Houston, Texas. (Nov. 22, 2013). 

Reagan, J.  Healthcare-Associated Infections: An Overview of Regulatory Requirements Applicable to Hospitals and Other Healthcare Facilities.  Online webinar provided through Compliance Online. (Jul. 12, 2013). 

Reagan, J.  Meeting the Challenge of Comprehensive and Accurate Validation of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).  Keynote speaker for Theradoc Educational Series, Hospira, Inc.  Presented at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention Annual 2013 Conference. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Jun. 7, 2013).

Reagan, J.  Impact of State HAI Reporting Mandates on Public Health: A Qualitative Exploration. Presented at the Public Health Law Research 2013 annual meeting as Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grantee.  New Orleans, Louisiana. (Jan. 2013). 

Reagan, J. Norovirus in Long-Term Care Facilities. Online learning course designed for nurses and infection prevention practitioners working and caring for residents in long-term care facilities. (2012). (CME approved course).

Reagan, J. Preventing and Managing Norovirus in Healthcare Settings. Online learning course designed for nurses and infection prevention practitioners working and caring for patients in healthcare settings. (2012). (CME approved course).

Reagan, J.  State Public Reporting Laws of Healthcare-Associated Infections.  The Network for Public Health Law, Public Health Law Webinar Series. (2011). (Co-presenter: Rick Hogan, JD, MPH, General Counsel of the Arkansas Department of Health).

Reagan, J. Clostridium difficile Infections: The Legal Concerns. Presented as part of a community practitioner learning session, C. diff. Infection Prevention Project, provided by Health Insight (formerly the New Mexico Medical Review Association), New Mexico’s quality improvement organization. (2011). (CME approved course).