College of Public Health Alumna Works to Prevent the Spread of Diseases
| Zuakernah Belo, MPH, finds her duties for the Arkansas Department of Health challenging, yet highly rewarding.
An alumna of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, Belo is an HIV prevention program manager in the health department’s infectious disease branch.
Informing Arkansans on the dangers of diseases linked to intimacy can be tough. However, Belo chooses to focus more on the value of her duties instead of the difficulties.
“Our main goal is minimizing or eliminating the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including HIV, in the state of Arkansas,” she said. “What I teach isn’t a comfortable topic. But avoiding the conversation and not telling people about the information and resources available would be a disservice. I know the importance of my work, especially the trends unfolding in Arkansas.”
Belo — who’s been in her current position since 2021 — employs a simple method to make things more comfortable for herself and the community members.
“You can’t deny the facts,” she said. “If you present the data and what the current trends are, and speak truth about how certain diseases spread, it really does break down barriers.
“Also, I enjoy what I do. I like helping people become comfortable talking about a situation that can be tough to discuss. I like showing people how to use certain prevention resources or tools. I enjoy linking people to care and options they may not know about.”
Belo did not envision her life unfolding like it has.
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, which is part of the Atlanta metro area, Belo was raised by her dad who is a native of West Africa. She benefited from a support system that often stressed the value of a good education. After graduating from high school in 2004, Belo attended Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.
While completing her undergraduate degree, Belo had an encounter that changed the course of her life.
As a member of the school’s STEM program, Belo participated in a conference in Atlanta where she presented research relating to behavioral health and making changes to your health. Unbeknownst to Belo, there was a woman in attendance who worked for the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute. She liked Belo’s presentation and approached her after the event.
“She asked if I’ve ever considered a career in public health and asked if I ever heard of UAMS and the field of Health Behavior and Health Education. At that time, I had never heard of Little Rock. Our conversation brought my attention to the program, and I eventually applied for it. I never saw that lady again after that day.”
After earning a degree in biology from Albany State in 2009, Belo relocated to Arkansas. When she arrived, Belo experienced a culture shock that had her questioning the decision to pursue a master’s degree from UAMS.
“It was rough adjusting to the new environment,” she said. “When I first moved to Arkansas, I did not like it. It was a major shock moving here. It was tough adapting to the area.”
However, eventually she adjusted and made friends in Arkansas. The Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE) program’s students, staff and faculty factored heavily into her adaptation.
“Things began to progress for the better after that first year,” she said. “I didn’t have the opportunity to visit Arkansas before I started at UAMS. I lived in UAMS housing because I didn’t have a car. So, being on campus, and in the program, is how I made friends. People I had classes with invited me to hang out! The school played a huge role in me building relationships with people. Those friendships I made through the school led to me learning about Arkansas.”
Academically, Belo received what she was looking for from the coursework as well.
“The program was outstanding,” she said. “I loved the HBHE track, and the professors were really good! The school was the highlight for me. The instructors and the friends I made through my classes made it a great experience for me.”
Belo thrived in the program. Her introduction to STD education came during a capstone project as she shadowed a sexual health educator. Belo admired how the individual made the information practical to whomever they interacted with. Little did Belo know that, after graduating from UAMS in 2012, she’d later work for the state health department, ultimately climbing the ranks into a role that promotes STD awareness and prevention.
Belo credits the college for positioning her to have a career that she enjoys — and most of all — improves the well-being of her community.
“Public health is rewarding,” she said. “Ensuring that the public receives the resources and opportunities that they need is important. I’d definitely tell a person to enroll in the college. The programs equip you with the skills and knowledge that you’ll need. Instructors are going to give you what you need. My experience in the college was great. I’d tell a person to lean into the total experience and make the most of it.”