MPH student at the UNT Health Science Center is awarded the Gerry C. Gunnin Fellowship from Texas Health Resources
April 30, 2025 • News
Camilla Ortega, a first-year MPH student in the College of Public Health (CPH) at UNTHSC, was recently awarded the Gerry C. Gunnin, Ph.D. Public Health Memorial Fellowship from Texas Health Resources (THR).
Ortega who is nearing the end of her first year in the MPH program holds a concentration in Public Health Leadership. The pre-med student received news of the award in March and began her fellowship journey this April.
The fellowship was promoted via CPH FYI, the College of Public Health’s weekly academic newsletter that is emailed to all members of the CPH community. The newsletter contains volunteer, fellowship and employment opportunities, healthcare news and updates, campus announcements, and it spotlights current CPH students. The Gunnin fellowship was shared in November’s issue which is how Ortega learned of the opportunity. She was ultimately shocked when receiving the offer because she submitted her application in December. This was the first fellowship she applied to via the newsletter.
“My decision to apply stems from my passion for community health and chronic disease management for minority populations,” says Ortega. She explains that because chronic disease is a pressing public health issue, the gaps in education and preventative medicine exacerbate the incidence of preventable chronic disease. “As a daughter of immigrants, I witnessed first-hand the hurdles my family experienced such as access to care and overall language barriers.”
Ortega’s induction into Texas Health Community Hope, the foundation of THR, comes at an exciting time as the organization recently launched their new Community Resource Center in Collin County this spring. Their recent initiatives align directly with Ortega’s value of prioritizing healthcare as a human right for all.
UNTHSC’s MPH program equipped Ortega with the skills and experience to prepare for the Gunnin Fellowship. The support she has received from CPH faculty has made her new journey unforgettable.
“This fellowship opportunity embodies my true passion for driving innovation in public and community health.” Through Texas Health Community Hope, Ortega will facilitate the implementation of chronic disease management, patient education, and resource management across the Collin County area. With her fellowship ending in July, Ortega has plans to drive health equity and positive health outcomes in the community during her term.
MPH students across Texas are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Gerry C. Gunnin, Ph.D. Public Health Memorial Fellowship when applications open in September.
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