Outstanding Graduate Student: Brianna Pham, School of Communication

SDSU’s School of Communication is proud to name Brianna Pham as Outstanding Graduate Student.

Pham has always had a passion for advocacy, and knowing that others were not given the same opportunities that she had has inspired her to work that much harder. By specializing in health communication Pham plans to work in a field where she can advocate for underserved communities with limited healthcare resources.

“I often reminded myself to keep my eyes on the prize and remember why I am here pursuing my Master’s degree: to become an advocate for others who do not have a voice,” said Pham.

Pham’s health communication thesis specifically centered on Vietnamese families. To identify how culture influences widespread views on Western medicine,  Pham conducted a qualitative research study to investigate which factors influenced parents when making healthcare decisions.

“This study helps us understand what deters Vietnamese parents from trusting and using Western medicine, which can be utilized as an evidence base for developing interventions that address healthcare access and engagement,” said Phan.

Phan is a talented and hardworking student, whose passion for advocacy and equality allowed her to excel at SDSU. She will continue the work she began in the School of Communication and do all she can as a voice for underserved and underrepresented communities.