“Like most social workers, I pursued an MSW degree with the idea that I could use it to make a difference regarding issues I cared about. I discovered in my first post-MSW job that this might be possible with research focused on pragmatic answers to the health challenges faced by people in jails and prisons. The Penn social welfare Ph.D. provided me a chance to further hone my skills to do that. I had a world class university as a base to think through my ambitions. I had at my disposal an engaged faculty to connect me to resources to make things happen. Many times I hear colleagues struggle with a choice of whether to be a researcher or an activist. While at Penn, I figured that out: Why must I choose?”