In the realm of public health, Blythe Dellinger's odyssey commenced with a sense of uncertainty as she embarked on her academic journey at George Mason University’s College of Public Health. It was a pivotal moment during an Environmental Health class field trip that kindled the spark for her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Global and Community Health, immersing herself in impactful initiatives that would define her public health trajectory.
"My roles as a Health Corps Fellow and MAT Community Health Worker are a testament to what I learned in my course," she reflects, highlighting the transformative community at Mason.
During college, her journey unfolded as she assumed roles of significance, donning the hat of an undergraduate representative for the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinating Committee. This commitment led to serving as a diversion intern with the Fairfax County Opioid and Substance Use Task Force, a substance uses peer educator, and a trip leader for an Alternative Break focused on HIV and AIDS awareness, showcasing a profound dedication to social causes.
"Community health and volunteering are all about understanding, empathy, and action,” she emphasized, encapsulating the essence of her involvement in various community health initiatives. The belief allowed Dellinger to secure an AmeriCorps fellowship within the Washington AIDS Partnership.
As a Health Corps Fellow with the Washington AIDS Partnership Health Corps program, from August 2022 to July 2023, Dellinger played a pivotal role in the HIPS MAT Clinic as a community health worker. She volunteered on the HIPS outreach van, conducting essential HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and provided vital insights into HIV transmission and related stigma.
"Mason and the College of Public Health provided me with the knowledge, confidence, and voice to advocate for sexual and drug user health," she acknowledges.
Dellinger's role in the MAT clinic, which is a low-barrier clinic approach, transformed her perspective, enhancing qualities of compassion, empathy, and communication skills. However, this journey was not without its share of challenges, as she witnessed individuals grappling with substance use disorder and HIV, often attributing these difficult circumstances to systemic failures. Dellinger, recognizing the toll of such experiences, emphasized the critical importance of self-care, leaning on her supportive network and maintaining a journal to focus on the positive impact of her work.
After the fellowship, Dellinger became a Data Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at HIPS, an organization that promotes health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange and/or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstances.
"The faculty and staff in the College of Public Health played a pivotal role in my growth, offering guidance, mentorship, and unwavering encouragement," she acknowledges. "My story is a chapter in that ongoing narrative of impact," she adds, symbolizing the continuum of positive change that Mason instills in its graduates.
The Washington AIDS Partnership's impending conclusion of its 35-year service to the D.C. community in 2023 added a poignant note for Dellinger. She highly recommended similar programs to aspiring students, emphasizing the invaluable exposure gained in the public health field.
Looking forward, Dellinger envisions a path of continuous knowledge enhancement, higher education, and an enduring commitment to humanitarian endeavors. Her inspirational journey stands as a testament to personal growth, compassion, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to effecting positive change in the lives of the individuals she serves.