Anna McKenna

Anna McKenna is a third-year Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) student at the University of Pittsburgh. She grew up in Pittsburgh and earned a BA in Gender Studies and Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. After completing her undergraduate degree, Anna worked as a preschool teacher in Philadelphia for several years before moving back to Pittsburgh at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Pittsburgh, she served as a children’s advocate at the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, an experience that inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

Torn between clinical practice and research, Anna decided to pursue both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Health. Graduate school has provided her with the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary care and research through her practicum as a mobile NICU case manager at UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital, as well as her role as a research assistant for Dr. Carlos Melendez on his study about LGBTQ adolescents and PrEP uptake. Currently, she also works as a student research assistant with the Krans Research Group at Magee-Women's Research Institute. Anna is excited to continue to strengthen her clinical and advocacy skills through her time as a LEND trainee.