HIGHLIGHT
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
01
02 Contents
MD/MPH Program Director’s Message
03
Faculty Highlight
Bridging Public Health and Occupational Medicine with Passion and Purpose
Student Spotlight
Global Impact, Survivor Focus: Bailey Driscoll’s 2025 Fulbright Project
04
Community Corner Partner Spotlight
Firefighter Cancer Initiative - Advancing Health and Safety for U.S. Firefighters
05 Protecting Firefighters from Emerging Cancer Risks New and Exciting in Public Health
Welcome to the second edition of the 2025 MD/MPH Program Quarterly Newsletter! We are proud to share the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and community partners who are advancing public health locally and globally.
This edition highlights Dr. Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH, CPH, FCR, FACE, whose work bridges clinical medicine, public health, and research. As Professor of Public Health Sciences and Deputy Director of our MD/MPH program, he mentors students, leads research on occupational and environmental health, and drives initiatives that improve outcomes for underserved communities. His studies on firefighter cancer risk and musculoskeletal injuries demonstrate the impact of population-level insights on clinical practice.
Our partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center exemplifies how research translates into action. MD/MPH students contribute to projects addressing occupational health risks, from heat exposure to emerging hazards like electric vehicle battery fires, helping protect those who serve our communities as part of their Capstone experience
We also celebrate Bailey Driscoll, MD/MPH Class of 2026, recipient of the 2025 Fulbright Award. Bailey will research the care needs of survivors of Irish institutional and clerical abuse in Ireland. Her project combines rigorous research with community engagement, reflecting the population-centered approach at the heart of our training and highlighting the global reach of our students’ work.
As emerging challenges continue to shape public health from novel firefighter hazards to systemic trauma our program thrives on integrating medicine, research, and community engagement. Together, our students, faculty, and partners are shaping a future where healthcare and public health work hand in hand to build healthier, more resilient communities.
Thank you for supporting the MD/MPH Program as we continue this journey of innovation, mentorship, and impact!
Dr.Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH, CPH, FCR, FACE is a physicianscientist whose career exemplifies the powerful integration of clinical medicine, public health, and rigorous research. With a background rooted in epidemiology and osteopathic medicine, Dr. Caban-Martinez brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the MD/MPH dual degree program.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the mainland United States, Dr. Caban-Martinez earned his PhD in Environmental/Occupational Epidemiology from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine and his MPH and DO at the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. His early exposure to the health disparities affecting underserved communities sparked a deep interest in public health, particularly in preventing disease through community-level interventions. “Public health gave me the tools to understand the bigger picture how policy, environment, and occupational exposures influence individual health outcomes,” he explains. His journey came full circle when he returned to the University of Miami as a faculty member, bringing his passion for population health and evidence-based care to the next generation of public health physician leaders.
As Professor of Public Health Sciences and Deputy Director of the MD/MPH program, Dr. Caban-Martinez plays a pivotal role in shaping interdisciplinary medical education. He also serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Research Regulation, Integrity, Security, and Evaluation at the University, reinforcing his commitment to ethical and impactful research. “What I find most rewarding,” he shares, “is seeing students light up when they realize how public health can amplify their ability to make a difference not just for one patient, but for whole communities.” Balancing teaching, mentorship, research, and administrative responsibilities requires discipline and purpose, but Dr. CabanMartinez thrives on the synergy. “Each part of my work informs the other. Teaching keeps me grounded, while research fuels innovation.”
Dr. Caban-Martinez’s research centers on environmental/occupational health and safety, where he studies on the work environment impacts various occupational groups, including first responders. He currently leads several federal- and state -funded studies, including initiatives exploring cancer risk among firefighters and musculoskeletal injuries in physically demanding professions. His work directly aligns with the MD/MPH program’s mission to prepare students to tackle public health issues through a clinical lens. “Our students bring incredible insight and energy to the lab,” he notes. “They’ve helped develop survey instruments, analyze exposure data, and co-author publications.” His goal is to create a research pipeline that not only advances science but also empowers trainees to become change agents in medicine and public health.
Mentorship is at the heart of Dr. Caban-Martinez’s philosophy. “The most fulfilling part of my job is helping students discover their own voice and path in the field,” he says. He encourages active learning through problem-solving, casebased discussion, and community-engaged projects.Aparticularly memorable success story involves a student who collaborated on a firefighter wellness study and later pursued a residency in occupational medicine an inspiring example of academic mentorship in action. “Watching our students grow into leaders who shape health systems and policy is the ultimate reward.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Caban-Martinez envisions the MD/MPH program expanding its interdisciplinary partnerships and strengthening its emphasis on translational research. “As we face more complex health threats from pandemics to climate change we need physicians who think upstream and act across sectors,” he emphasizes. He believes that the integration of medicine and public health will become even more critical in the years ahead, especially with advances in data science and precision prevention. His advice to students? “Be bold in your curiosity. Learn from the community.And remember, public health gives you the power to scale impact in ways you never imagined.”
Dr. Caban-Martinez continues to be a guiding force in the MD/MPH program, nurturing future clinician-leaders who are equipped to serve and transform society. “We’re not just training doctors,” he concludes. “We’re training architects of healthier communities.”
We are thrilled to celebrate Bailey Driscoll, MD/MPH Class of 2026, on receiving the prestigious 2025 Fulbright Award! Bailey will be conducting groundbreaking research in Ireland on Care Needs in Survivors of Irish Institutional/Clerical Abuse, working with Dr. Frédérique Vallières at Trinity College Dublin and a Dublin-based community partner that provides mental healthcare to survivors of child abuse perpetrated by church bodies. Her project aims to identify the supports survivors need after initial psychotherapy, through a combination of a scoping review and co-designed needs assessment with her community partner.
Bailey’s passion for this work is deeply personal. Inspired by her Irish-American roots and clinical experiences at the VA and the Human Rights Clinic, she has long been interested in intergenerational trauma and its impact on mental and physical health. “Growing up, I was aware of the historical trauma in my family and how it shaped their relationship with faith and identity,” Bailey shared. Her work in Ireland will contribute to supporting survivors’ healing and inform her future career as a pediatrician-psychiatrist, focusing on helping diasporas in the U.S. recognize and process trauma to prevent its transmission to future generations.
As an MD/MPH student, Bailey brings a population-based, community-centered approach to her research. “My dual-degree training has taught me how to design research that centers and benefits the community, rather than doing research on communities just for academic merit,” she explained. In Ireland, this perspective will guide her collaboration with clinicians and community stakeholders to understand the long-term effects of trauma on survivors.
Navigating this sensitive research requires both skill and self-care. Bailey plans to complete traumainformed care training in Ireland and relies on her strong support network and coping strategies to maintain her wellbeing while engaging in emotionally challenging conversations.
Looking ahead, Bailey is excited to immerse herself in this underexplored field. She hopes this Fulbright experience will refine her research skills and shape her future in designing public health interventions addressing intergenerational trauma, weight stigma, and eating disorders. She encourages fellow MD/MPH students to take bold steps toward global opportunities: “If there is a will, there is a way! Ask yourself, ‘Will I regret not pursuing a global opportunity?’ My answer was yes, so I took the leap.”
Bailey credits her success to her mother, mentors, research collaborators, and the supportive Miller community, emphasizing that these relationships have been instrumental in her journey.
We congratulate Bailey on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing the impact of her work on survivors in Ireland and beyond!
The MD/MPH Program is honored to collaborate with the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a pivotal community partner dedicated to enhancing the health and safety of firefighters at the State, National, and International levels
Established over a decade ago, the Firefighter Cancer Initiative focuses on preventing and reducing cancer risk among firefighters through research, education, and community outreach. Recognizing the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters due to exposure to carcinogens, the initiative conducts peer-reviewed research, develops prevention strategies, and advocates for policy changes to protect first responders.
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A notable aspect of this collaboration is the involvement of MD/MPH students in capstone projects that address critical health issues affecting the firefighter community. One such project explored the relationship between firefighting-related heat exposure and reproductive health. This research aims to fill gaps in existing literature and provide valuable insights into occupational health risks faced by firefighters.
The Firefighter Cancer Initiative exemplifies the power of university-community partnerships in tackling public health challenges. By working together, we can develop effective strategies to safeguard the well-being of those who serve and protect our communities.
For more information about the Firefighter Cancer Initiative and its ongoing efforts, please visit https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/research/firefighter-cancerinitiative.
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Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep communities safe - but growing evidence shows they face heightened risks long after the flames are out. In recent years, research has increasingly connected firefighting to elevated cancer rates, sparking a wave of innovation, advocacy, and prevention efforts across the country. Right here in Miami, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) is leading the charge.
Over the past decade, FCI has transformed the way we understand and address cancer in the fire service. Through peer-reviewed research, prevention and survivorship programs, and innovative exposure-monitoring technologies, the initiative has provided firefighters with the tools they need to reduce harmful exposures. Working directly with fire departments, the team has also helped shift culture - normalizing practices like gear decontamination and influencing policies that support firefighter health nationwide.
https://www.newswise.com/articles/heavy-metals-in-ev-batteries-are-known-carcinogens-pose-greater-cancer-risk-for-firefighters-owners-and-communities
Now, FCI is tackling new challenges as modern technology introduces new risks. A recent study highlights the dangers of electric vehicle (EV) battery fires, which release heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and nickel - known carcinogens recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Unlike traditional vehicle fires, EV fires burn at extreme temperatures, require massive amounts of water to suppress, and can release toxic projectiles. Researchers are pioneering full-scale biomonitoring and environmental sampling studies to better understand these exposures and develop prevention strategies for firefighters and surrounding communities.
Together, these efforts underscore a central truth: protecting firefighter health is an urgent and evolving public health priority. As the science advances, so too does the opportunity to translate research into practice - empowering firefighters with knowledge, tools, and resources to safeguard their long-term well-being.
The work being done here in Miami not only benefits local fire departments, but also sets the standard for how communities across the nation can protect those who protect us.
