Public Health Epidemiologist Linn County Public Health AGE: 36 What was your first job? Ice hockey referee. Best advice you ever received? Do not ask someone else for the answer until you have first tried to investigate the solution for yourself. (Parapharased) – Marcia Blake PhD, MSPH, aka Mom. What do you consider your biggest […]
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Public Health Epidemiologist
Linn County Public Health
AGE: 36
What was your first job? Ice hockey referee.
Best advice you ever received? Do not ask someone else for the answer until you have first tried to investigate the solution for yourself. (Parapharased) – Marcia Blake PhD, MSPH, aka Mom.
What do you consider your biggest break so far? Being hired by the Mayo Clinic for my first “adult” job out of my master’s program. Even as a new grad, I was given free rein on developing and managing my own program.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I am a science fiction nerd, love musical theater, and enjoy crime and murder mysteries. I have played ice hockey throughout my life.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? The increasing number of individuals and families in crisis. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 derecho further brought light and, in many cases, compounded the issues of food insecurity, housing instability and those struggling with poor mental health. This impresses the need for local investment in housing stock that is both structurally safe as well as affordable, crisis and mental health services, and sustainable local food production for all.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Animal rescue organizations such as the Cedar Valley Humane Society, Safe Haven of Iowa County, Guam Animals In Need, as well as our local food access organizations
What are your passions outside of the workplace? First and foremost, I love spending time with my family. I am always excited to travel to new places and explore new cultures. I enjoy cooking, particularly with foods that I have not tried before.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We are a people of action, and do not like meeting just to meet. Every meeting should have a goal insight and concrete actions to move forward identified.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I hope to have a continued positive impact on the communities that I serve and continue to grow in my profession and as a leader.
