Judith Mueller
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a second-year DrPH student at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and my journey in public health has been shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to creating supportive communities. My passion for this work grew out of experiences with people affected by tuberculosis, where I witnessed how social and economic challenges deeply influence treatment and recovery. In my role as Executive Director of The Mueller Health Foundation, I work globally to strengthen TB patient-centered care and highlight the human stories behind the data. Through my dissertation, I’m exploring how community-based care models can improve treatment adherence for people with drug-resistant TB, with the goal of building frameworks that not only improve outcomes but also honor dignity and resilience.
Why did you pursue a DrPH?
I chose to pursue a DrPH because I wanted to bridge my experience in global health leadership with advanced training in practice-based research, systems thinking, and public health leadership. Working closely with communities affected by tuberculosis showed me that solving complex health challenges requires more than technical solutions; it requires addressing social determinants, building equitable systems, and empowering others. The DrPH felt like the right path because it emphasizes leadership, applied research, and collaboration, all of which align with my goal of creating sustainable, community-based models of care that improve health outcomes and equity.
What are you currently excited about in your job?
I’m really excited about expanding our community-based models of care for drug-resistant tuberculosis. We’re piloting approaches that go beyond medical treatment to address social determinants like nutrition, transportation, and mental health as these are all factors that can make or break treatment success. It’s inspiring to see how these efforts not only improve adherence but also empower patients and their families, and I’m motivated by the potential to scale these frameworks to support even more communities globally.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
If I could write a book about my life, the title would be “Global Health, Local Heart.” It reflects how my work spans international borders and complex health systems, yet always comes back to the local, human connections that drive change. At the end of the day, it’s the individual stories, resilience, and relationships that inspire me to keep pushing for better health outcomes worldwide.
What is something interesting about you that we should know?
Something interesting about me is that while my work is focused on global health and tuberculosis, I also have a deep passion for storytelling through culture and food. I love learning about different traditions, cooking dishes from around the world, and sharing those experiences as a way to connect with people. It’s a reminder to me that health is not just about medicine; it’s also about community, identity, and the little things that bring people together.
