Where do you currently work, and what is your job title?

I am the Deputy Regional Director with the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 7.

Briefly describe your job.

In my role as Deputy Regional Director, I am responsible for providing senior level leadership to guide public health initiatives, supporting regional administration and programmatic operations, promoting professional development of regional employees, and providing technical assistance to local health departments.  My extensive experience has an epidemiologist has helped me in this leadership role since I continually use the skills and my past experiences to help guide and inform my decisions. 

Where are you based, and where did you grow up?

Public Health Region 7 is based in Temple, TX.  I grew up in central Texas so it is nice staying in the general area where I was born, grew up, and then went to college. 

What drew you to public health?

After I got my bachelor’s in Zoology, I wanted to go to graduate school to study the ecology of infectious diseases from a non-clinical perspective.  Very few graduate schools have that kind of program.  Luckily one of my friends was going to the A&M School of Rural Public Health.  When it was suggested that I consider looking at Public Health, she encouraged me to go with her to visit the school.  I discovered Epidemiology and the rest is history. 

What has been your favorite project up to now and why?

It is really hard to narrow this down.  I have been lucky to be involved with so many different projects, activities, and responses.  When I was the state lead for respiratory and invasive diseases, I got to help plan the annual Texas influenza surveillance workshop with a colleague.  This was always a favorite of mine because it was a way to share information about epidemiology with others.  We always got such great feedback about these workshops and the information we were able to provide that it made all the work putting it together worthwhile.

What is your go-to-public health fun fact?

Most emerging diseases are zoonotic (passed between humans and other animals).  I like this public health fact for two reasons.  It is a reminder of the importance in public health to work across disciplines both externally and internally.  It is also connects my pre-public health life studying Zoology with much of my public health life as an epidemiologist.  

What is one piece of advice you’d give a public health student?

Getting your foot in the door at a public health agency can be challenging.  Don’t give up.  Your experience doing a practicum or internship can help, so don’t forget to mention it on your application. 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Stop me before I volunteer again” (source unknown) 

A magnet with this quote was given to me as a gift since I tend to not only get more work for myself but for others too when I volunteer for things.   Volunteering inside and outside of work is actually a great way to gain experience and learn new things.  Much of my success has resulted from experiences I have had while volunteering to help others or take on special projects.