Our Story/Mangal Tamang

March 2016

Mangal Tamang sees a gap within the American health care system and hopes to be a bridge between public health services and community members who are unaware of the resources available to them.

Tamang, who moved with his family from Bhutan to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2011, wants to help Bhutanese Americans navigate the health care system.

“I could help my community,” Tamang said. “The community needs someone who really knows about health and policy. There are people who are not getting insurance, who do not have health benefits, and who are unfamiliar with long-term care. I feel like if I have some information and education about health care, I could help them.”

More than 4,500 Penn State students are enrolled in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD) studying a wide-array of fields, each committed to the concept of improving the quality of life for others. Tamang, who found a home in the Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPA), is one of those HHD students, and this is his story.

Previously, Tamang volunteered as a mentor for PSU Life Link, a Penn State initiative that serves special education students through academics while also helping the students gain independence. He also served as a laboratory assistant for the Department of Biology.

“I really love being a volunteer and working with people,” Tamang said. “I love talking with people and helping them.”

Tamang said his HPA courses are preparing him for his goal to be a social worker in the area of public health.

“I’m really enjoying all of my classes. I never miss a class. I’m really excited to learn. I really like learning something new. I want to learn something new that will help me in the future, in real life,” Tamang said.

To also prepare him for his career goals, Tamang, who is fluent in Nepali, Hindi and English, is slated to serve as an administrative intern at UPMC Altoona Blair Medical Associations in summer 2016.

Tamang is a member of the Bhutanese American Students Circle, Student Support Service Program, Blue-White Society and Health Policy and Administration Club.

In addition to HPA, there are a variety of areas for students to study within HHD through the Departments of Biobehavioral Health, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Human Development and Family Studies, Kinesiology, Nutritional Sciences, Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, and the School of Hospitality Management. Learn more about HHD.