Eric Szafran is inspired by the clients he serves.

Szafran works at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, in Hartford. He completed an internship there in 2004, and it made such an impact that he wanted to continue working in the field.

“I work with people who have acquired physical disabilities and cognitive impairments,” he says. “The experience has given me an appreciation for day-to-day living instead of expectation. It has shown me that you can still live and thrive in the face of disability.”

Szafran is originally from Norwich and now resides in Manchester. He received his undergraduate degree from UConn with a double major in sociology and psychology. Szafran decided to continue on for his Masters in Public Health at UConn as it is a nationally recognized school with an MPH program he thinks is one of the best around.

His opinion is not based solely on his experiences as a student. Szafran was involved in the Public Health Student Organization (PHSO) where he served as secretary his first year and president the second. The PHSO connects public health students with peers and alumni, coordinates social and professional activities, and communicates with program staff and faculty on behalf of the students.

Szafran is passionate about public health because it focuses on promoting health beyond the individual level. “Resources and effort go beyond helping just one patient to creating change for an entire community,” he says. “The impact is that much greater.”

Szafran believes in fair treatment and access to health care. “Health care is a right, not a privilege,” he says. “I like the day-to-day impact you can have on people’s lives. We can help to make people more independent and give a voice to those who may otherwise not have one. I like being able to make a difference and making sure people are able to live despite disease, not die because of it.”

Follow the UConn Health Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.