Get to Know Lauran Larson

After receiving her Masters in Prevention Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2014, Bloomberg Fellow Lauran Larson was still itching to learn more. Although she found her work at the Oklahoma State Department of Health deeply fulfilling, especially in uniting partners to achieve collective impact, it also served as a reminder of how much more remains to be done. With that in mind, she applied for a Doctorate of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health through the Bloomberg Fellowship. 

We sat down with Lauran to learn more about her journey to public health:

Can you share a little about your current role and background?

Right now, I’m the Senior Manager of Food and Health at Hunger Free Oklahoma. In this role, I get to lead and co-lead some impactful initiatives, like the Oklahoma Food is Medicine Coalition, which works to support public policy that expands access to medically tailored food and nutrition services for people living with severe, complex or chronic illness. We’re also launching a Nutrition Security Task Force alongside a co-leading agency to develop a state plan that’s shaped by real people’s experiences. I’m passionate about elevating federal food programs like WIC, and I’m currently digging into a landscape analysis of Food is Medicine Programs in Oklahoma to better understand what’s working, what needs more support, and how we can expand these programs for greater impact.

What brought you to where you are today?

As for my journey, I’m a first-generation college student from rural Oklahoma. I moved to Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU) and ended up sticking around because I fell in love with the community. I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology, driven by my fascination with understanding people’s behaviors and resilience, which eventually led me to pursue a Master’s in Prevention Science from OU. While working on my degree, I began a career with the Department of Human Services, helping individuals access essential benefits, and got my first taste of public health through a tobacco use prevention internship. Since then, I’ve taken on a couple different roles in local and state public health departments, gradually shifting my focus toward food systems. 

What is something that makes your public health experience unique?

I like to think of my role as the crossroads where public health and social services meet. With over 11 years of experience in both areas at the local and state levels, I feel like I’ve settled in the middle of a venn diagram of the two fields. I’ve often told people that everyone should work at least for a few months at a social services clinic. That experience changes you as you meet face to face with people who have nothing and no one. I feel fortunate to work on projects that not only help people meet their basic needs but also support their overall health.

I also believe my journey is unique because I've transitioned from working at the county level to the state level. There’s so much you learn at the local level that becomes essential when you start looking at the bigger picture. Having spent a significant part of my life in rural Oklahoma, I’m always pushing to ensure the voices and challenges of those communities are front and center in the conversation.

Can you share more about an innovative public health solution that has helped you improve food access for members of your community?

In my previous role at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, we teamed up with our state’s two Feeding America-affiliated food banks, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, to launch a project that connected Federally Qualified Health Centers, hospitals, and county health departments with resources to screen for food insecurity and offer immediate support through on-site food pantries. What started as a small initiative has now expanded to include on-site pantries in at least 30 new clinics. Some clinics were already screening for food insecurity, but now they have a streamlined process to provide immediate assistance to those in need through these pantries. It’s been incredible to see the tangible impact this program has had on so many lives.

This work wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from national funders, the dedication of partners (including Oklahoma Primary Care Association, Oklahoma Hospital Association, and Hunger Free Oklahoma) who helped spread the word, and the tireless efforts of the food banks that truly led the charge. Our partnerships are the lifeblood of the initiative, and they’re the reason that a small idea turned into a widespread resource for our communities.

What do you like most about being a Bloomberg Fellow?

My family couldn’t afford to pay for college, but I was fortunate to receive grants and scholarships for my undergraduate degree. My Master’s degree came with just a tiny scholarship, which means I’m still carrying student loans. I’m close to public service student loan forgiveness now, but it’s been a long journey. Without the financial support from the Bloomberg Fellowship, I might not have been able to go back to school just yet. I’m so grateful for that opportunity every single day. That being said, the people in this fellowship are incredible—instant access to experts across the country is just the cherry on top! 

What prompted you to apply to the Fellowship?

When I graduated with my master’s degree in 2014, I knew my journey in education wasn’t over—I just needed to gain more work experience before jumping back into school for my doctorate. By 2021, the itch to continue learning was back, so I started exploring different programs. By the fall of 2022, I had set my sights on the Health Promotion Program at the OU Health Sciences Center. But then, I attended the APHA conference, and it opened my eyes to a whole world of possibilities I hadn’t considered.

That’s when I stumbled upon the DrPH program at the Bloomberg School, and I was immediately drawn in by its focus, structure, and the impactful work they’re doing in food systems. It felt like a perfect match—not just for me personally but also for the kind of change I want to help create in Oklahoma, where we face big challenges but also have some of the most passionate people ready to make a difference.

Applying to this program wasn’t just about finding the right school; it was about joining a movement to drive real change. For me, it’s a give-and-take situation. I’m eager to learn from everyone in the fellowship, but the altruist in me also knows it’s just as important to share the bright spots and successes we’re seeing in Oklahoma. It’s about contributing to a collective effort, where we can all grow and inspire each other to make a difference.

How do you hope to make an impact in your community in the future?

I want to help influence a policy or program that makes it easier for people in our state to meet their basic needs, so they have the space to focus on their future and what truly makes them happy. One of the most exciting aspects of my journey in the DrPH program has been creating a custom concentration that aligns perfectly with this vision. I’ve been able to tailor my coursework, upcoming practicum, and dissertation to focus specifically on food access and advocacy needs in Oklahoma. It’s not just about learning the ins and outs of federal food programs like WIC; I’m also gaining valuable skills in effective communication and advocacy strategies that I can bring back to my community.

I’m especially interested in how programs like WIC can serve as a stepping stone to the “American Dream,” which, let’s face it, feels like it’s slipping further out of reach for many with the rising costs of living. In Oklahoma, we have a significant gap between those who qualify for WIC and those who actually use it, and I want to bridge that divide—not just for WIC, but for all sorts of resources that could help people thrive.

One major hurdle we face is the stigma around federal food programs. I’m determined to find messaging that breaks down these barriers so that more people feel comfortable using the resources available to them. I’m looking forward to seeing how all these pieces come together, not just in my studies but in my efforts to make a tangible impact in Oklahoma.

Hunger Free Oklahoma’s mission is to leverage the power of collaboration to solve hunger in Oklahoma by improving systems, policies, and practices. You can learn more about this organization at https://www.hungerfreeok.org/