Public Health Program “Lit a Spark” for Sean Sabourin ’24 to Help Communities in Need
By Judith Kelliher
When Sean Sabourin ’24 began his Public Health studies at Springfield College, what he was learning from his professors and courses, like Maternal & Child Health, Global Health, and Health & Healthcare Disparities, shocked and disappointed him regarding the health issues and hardships due to families’ poor social factors.
“Some of the data, statistics, and trends I learned in these courses were maddening to continue to hear, and they lit a spark under me. I could not, and still do not, understand how we live in a world with a plethora of resources, yet so many marginalized groups suffer tremendously,” Sabourin said. “I want to help flip these negative health outcomes, and provide the children and families of Holyoke (Mass.) with all of the resources necessary for them to positively contribute to our community and society in general.”
As he moved into his career, an influential and invaluable experience for Sabourin was his practicum in health science in spring 2024 at The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, which complemented his five years previously working part time at the Club in direct service child care during programming hours. In the practicum, he got to experience what goes on outside of programming hours.
“I was able to sit in on weekly management meetings with our Club’s executives, complete new clerical tasks, assist with facilities and operations tasks, and see what goes into daily decision making and program planning for an organization that serves about 300 youth daily from kindergarten to seniors in high school,” he said.
After earning his Public Health degree, Sabourin transitioned from his part-time role at the Club to a full-time position as operations coordinator in June 2024. On any given day at the Club, his responsibilities include inputting member applications and updating existing demographic data, collaborating with community partners, assisting group leaders with youth behavior management, planning after-school activities, and dismissing and releasing youth to their guardians at the end of the day.
As he reflects back on his trajectory from the College to the Club, Sabourin fondly recalls the impact that Pamela Higgins, professor Health Sciences, and Megan Harvey, associate professor of Health Sciences, had on his success in the Public Health program.
“They were always motivating and pushing me to speak up in class, share my opinions, be curious, and try to find the ‘why’ surrounding topics and issues that piqued my interest. They encouraged me to say what was on my mind, even if the answer was wrong or sounded outlandish,” he said.
Sabourin also appreciated the wealth of connections, knowledge, and experience that Higgins has in the public health realm.
“She is so easy to talk to, is open to new ideas, and will always encourage students to be the change they want to see in the world,” he added.
In a post-COVID-19 world, Sabourin sees those working in the field of public health trying to be more proactive instead of reactive when addressing a variety of issues. An obesity epidemic across all ages, for example, is of concern, especially for youth.
“Although it may be hard to change the lifestyle habits of individuals who have operated one way for decades, it must be the goal and job of future public health students to get into schools, create educational materials, and create programs that promote youth especially in younger populations,” he said. “Our youth are the future of our world. If they are struggling with their health as children and go on to develop chronic health conditions, we will struggle as a society and country.”
Sabourin’s experiences as an undergraduate were so positive that he decided to pursue his Master of Education in the fully online Health Promotion and Health Equity program at the College (expected degree completion December 2025). His Capstone project is focused on The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke to explore the positive aspects the Club brings to its youth members’ lives.
