Patrick Seliske

For Patrick Seliske (Health Studies '78), the decision to attend Waterloo was simple – it was the Canadian leader in health studies and health promotion. Now working as an Epidemiologist for the Child and Family Health Division (CFHD) of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), he also credits the program for providing him with the unique opportunity to study epidemiology. It was a rare opportunity at the time and it led him to graduate studies, and ultimately to his current career.

Epidemiology is an important field that tracks health patterns in groups of people. This process can identify the spread of disease, and can provide the data necessary to develop programs that help prevent the onset of illness in specific populations.  Dr. Seliske uses powerful Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to search for unusual health trends in the local population. This information can then be used to help plan and evaluate programming offered by the CFHD.

This work allows Dr. Seliske to pursue what is important to him – “I want my work to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of society,” he explains. His work at the WDGPH allows him to liaise with people from many different disciplines, and to provide the information people need to create programs and services that make a real difference to the wellbeing of his community.

Health Studies graduates have the skills they need to not only treat individuals, but to identify and tackle large-scale health challenges. Like Dr. Seliske, you could pursue a career that benefits entire populations, within Canada and around the world.