When Babita Bhetwal sought out a graduate degree, she knew her passion for health would lead her to a good program. More than anything, Bhetwal, originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, wanted to find a community that would welcome her and her young daughter.
Her desire to focus on preventative health and health disparities led Bhetwal to the School of Public and Population Health as a Master of Public Health student. Her search for community fell into place.
“I was looking for a safe, supportive and thriving environment where me and my daughter can grow,” Bhetwal said. “I have found that in Boise.”
With an undergraduate degree in dental surgery and a Prevention and Intervention Programming Emphasis as part of her MPH, Bhetwal has most enjoyed the practical public health applications she has learned throughout the last several years. Supportive faculty and mentors, she said, have been instrumental in her academic and professional growth.
Taking advantage of each opportunity to learn from the school’s research faculty, Bhetwal began working with Associate Professor Ellen Schafer to research usage of Idaho’s WIC program (the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Alongside strengthening her research skills, this project deepened Bhetwal’s understanding of nutrition programming and food insecurity in Idaho.
“I visited one of the food banks in Ada County to enroll the participants,” Bhetwal said. “I had never seen such a great service to abolish food insecurity.”
In 2024, Bhetwal was awarded the AAUW International Fellowship for Women, which supports international women pursuing full-time graduate studies. The fellowship helped cover Bhetwal’s living and research expenses as she examined cervical cancer screening and vaccination against human papillomavirus among Nepalese Tamang women.
Securing external funding to support research is not always an easy task, said Schafer. But Bhetwal’s “ambitious personality and humble nature” is what makes her a standout student, Schafer says.
“No challenge is too big for Babita,” Schafer said. “She is a strong student example and someone new students have looked up to for inspiration and advice.”
Now, preparing to graduate this May, Bhetwal has her sights set on joining the school’s Public and Population Health Leadership Ph.D. program. With a focus on preventing cancer disparities among women and vulnerable populations, Bhetwal will continue the same great research she has always been doing.
“I’m especially looking forward to engaging in research that informs policy and practice in cancer prevention and contributing to efforts that improve global health outcomes,” Bhetwal said.
Thinking back on her very first day of class in Boise, Bhetwal made a degree roadmap and envisioned what her future might look like. While the path brought unexpected and exciting opportunities, she said, she encourages other students to do the same.
“Everything might look scary but believe in yourself and keep trying,” Bhetwal said. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, and trust that experience contributes to your success.”