Melissa Guante is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at New York Medical College. As a first-generation Dominican American and Bronx native, her lived experiences have shaped her commitment to advancing health equity. She currently works at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a NYC Health Panel Maintenance Coordinator, where she supports survey data collection to inform public health research and practice.

Melissa’s professional background includes roles as a community health worker and public health educator, as well as training as a birth doula through Ancient Song Doula Services. These experiences have fueled her passion for reproductive and maternal health, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for Black and Hispanic communities. Her long-term goal is to lead initiatives that expand access to culturally responsive maternal care and reduce disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality.

 

Hometown

Bronx, NY

Undergraduate School

Hunter College

Undergraduate Major

Anthropology

Undergraduate Minor

Africana and Latino Studies and Psychology

Graduate School(s)

CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Policy

Focus Area/Interests

• Health access
• Maternal care
• Health equity

Career Experience

• Community health worker and public health educator
• Birth doula through Ancient Song Doula Services