Changing Direction to Transform Lives: Natalie Madray ’13, MPH ’19

Changing Paths

Natalie Madray came from an Adelphi family. Her mother—Amitra Madray, who got her bachelor’s degree in natural sciences in 1981—as well as two aunts, a brother and a cousin graduated here with various majors. She got her own bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Adelphi in 2013. But the very next year, she lost her father to a heart attack at a young age.“That moment changed my life in so many ways.”

She worked at North Shore University Hospital for almost two years, an experience that “led me to learn more about the gap in preventative care…I had a passion for health and well-being.” Then she discovered the public health field and chose to pursue a Master of Public Health. “Public health affects every aspect of our lives and health and prevention are vital in caring for our communities. We need to push for better food and stricter regulations. We need to advocate for those who need a little more help to become healthier and provide more preemptive care to make a change in the health of our communities.”

Moving Toward Her Dream

Last summer, she completed an internship at Northwell Health’s Employee Wellness department, the first from the MPH program to intern there. That team is responsible for creating and implementing best practices research for the well-being of 60,000 Northwell employees.

Her proudest accomplishment? Becoming the Graduate Student Council’s president and helping launch the Public Health Alumni Affinity Group, a joint venture of the Office of Alumni Relations, the MPH program and current students and alumni. For those achievements, she won the MPH Outstanding Community Service Award at Commencement. Maria-Pilar Martin, MD, director of the MPH program, praised Madray as “my right hand. With her leadership skills and professionalism, she will be very missed.”

Flash-Forward

Madray—now working on a per diem basis in Northwell Health’s Employee Wellness department and helping with program planning and outreach throughout the Northwell system—has been applying to Northwell for community health coordinator positions.

Her dream job? Forming her own public health consultancy so she could “develop innovative, effective programs that can change outcomes in high needs communities.” Madray added, “My involvement in the Graduate Student Council and my graduate assistantship at the Health Services Center put me in proximity to my dream by giving me the tools to make my own way and become a knowledgeable professional