Applied Anthropology Profile: Theron Huntamer: HIV & AIDS Epidemiology Capacity Coordinator

Source: http://www.healthonearth.net/2011/11/medical-anthropology-and-global-health.html

Unlike other anthropologists interviewed for this Applied Anthropology series, Theron Huntamer was not drawn to anthropology because he found it provocative, alluring, or interesting.  He honestly was drawn to the discipline because he found it easy.  Having been raised in a family of salesmen Huntamer had learned early in life how to read people, and he realized that this learned skill set not only made his anthropology courses easier but it was an asset to the discipline that is based on learning about people and cultures.  While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology Huntamer focused on a variety of courses by what he referred to as good professors who guided him.  These courses included (Arch) GIS, statistics, computer (database management), English language, cultural anthropology, and public health courses. He believed that he would ultimately become an English as a Second Language teacher, but upon graduating he found that there were a great deal of opportunities in the public health fields, which ultimately drew him to his current position as a HIV & AIDS Epidemiology Capacity Coordinator for the state of Nevada. 

As a HIV & AIDS Epidemiology Capacity Coordinator Huntamer is not only charged with tracking Nevada residents who are diagnosed with HIV & AIDS but additional health outcomes among marginalized populations across Nevada.  One project that he could talk about involved tracking the health statuses among high school athletes who were diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.  Because of his diverse skill set, particularly due to his anthropological and statistical backgrounds, Huntamer is often employed on a variety of public health projects.  The state of Nevada, however, is not the only employer interested in him.  He admits that he has and continues to receive multiple job offers from businesses across the country who find these skills and therefore Huntamer particularly attractive for marketing their products. 

Huntamer credits his anthropological background in providing him these various employment opportunities because he acknowledges the multidisciplinary and applied nature of anthropology today.  He said that he appreciated his anthropology courses as they challenged him in a variety of ways, instigating him to work hard and learn as much as possible.  According to Huntamer, anthropology is a discipline that requires outside of the box thinking and encourages creative problem solving skills, which he did not find in his other course work.  He admits that this has been one of the most valuable lessons he took away from his anthropological training because life is not predictable and problem solving and nontraditional thinking is therefore required in order to become successful. 

He also credits his current success and job placement to one professor in particular.  He said that his medical anthropology course was one of the hardest he had ever taken, but it was also the one he learned the most from because he was made to work.  If it had not been for that course and that professor’s high standards Huntamer does not believe he would be working in the position he has today and he would not be as successful either.  His one piece of advice for anthropology students is to listen to your professors.  Your anthropology course may not be a requirement for your degree but it does not mean it is any less important.  As demonstrated by Huntamer’s story that course could lead to an unexpected but fulfilling career.