2024 PHAN Board Member Candidates

Policy & Research Coordinator

Project Extra Mile

PHAN Strategic Priority Interests:

Organize and strengthen advocacy in public health. This could be done by providing training to members on the do's and don't's as well as working with organizations one on one to determine what their policies, funding, etc allows. Members have the obligation to stand up for what's right and fight against what's harmful. As citizens of Nebraska, we have the right to be a part of the policymaking process and speak out, whether in a formal or individual capacity. We simply need to know the rules. Our organization has experience with this and it would be great if we could build the public health capacity in this. Then our policymakers would have a better idea of what's going on, instead of just hearing from us when a larger scale issue is occurring. 

Briefly describe your past and current responsibilities/activities relating to public health.

In my current role, I work with community members, law enforcement, and youth to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms in our state. We organize trainings, provide technical assistance, organize enforcement operations, and work to build youth's leadership skills. As a part of the organization, I aim to provide the most up to date information to our partners and be a resource when they have questions about a topic or certain processes. I also review most up to date and new research around the topic to ensure we know what goes on beyond our state borders and how others have been successful at implementing evidence-based policies and practices. Prior to my current role I was a research assistant at the UNMC College of Public Health's Office of Public Health Practice where I aided with event planning, reviewed manuscripts, analyzed survey data, and was a resource for staff with other projects. 

If elected, list one goal that you as a board member would like to accomplish.

I would like to help build a wider web of collaboration and resources. As the Public Health Association, we should be a better resource when someone comes to us with an issue. For example, if an organization needs information on tobacco cessation, who are the partners we can connect them with. Or if a piece of legislation is introduced that would potentially increase the alcohol-related harms our state is experiencing, who are the organizations and individuals with the ability to raise awareness of this in their communities as well as testify in Lincoln, or at the local level on an ordinance. Building networks and being able to share this information will hopefully help us reduce the silos that continue to exist in our state. 

What public health issues should PHAN be focusing on today?

I think PHAN should increase their focus in substance prevention and the associated harms - alcohol, tobacco, etc. Specifically for alcohol, our state continues to rank as one of the worst binge drinking states year after year. Unfortunately, education alone won't reduce the harms. We ought to focus on policies and practices that will alter our behaviors.Data literacy, misinformation, public health communication, health literacy, internet access, and affordable and quality housing

Drug Overdose Prevention Coordinator

Nebraska DHHS

PHAN Strategic Priority Interests:

Building the internal capacity is a strategic activity that I would engage as a board member. If PHAN wants to expand and make a bigger impact within the state then it will be critical for it to have the capacity to successfully implement these strategic priorities. I would use my experience with strategic planning and program development to help determine what capacity building activities would have the largest impact. I could also assist with grant writing. 

Briefly describe your past and current responsibilities/activities relating to public health.

I taught healthy lifestyles as a Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer in Ukraine.  

I worked at a county-level non-profit that used environmental strategies to reduce underage binge drinking and adult binge drinking. This included educating alcohol retailers, changing school and city policies, and managing education campaigns. 

Currently, I work for Nebraska DHHS, and I coordinate the state’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program. This includes grant management, improving the quality and availability of data, and using that data to implement prevention initiatives. 

If elected, list one goal that you as a board member would like to accomplish.

Improve the public perception of Public Health. This will be accomplished by increasing the awareness of how public impact impacts fields that do not consider themselves Public Health. For example, Law enforcement already enforces seatbelt and helmet usage. We can thank them for their work and let them know that their enforcement of these laws saves lives by reducing traffic fatalities.

What public health issues should PHAN be focusing on today?

I think PHAN should increase their focus in substance prevention and the associated harms - alcohol, tobacco, etc. Specifically for alcohol, our state continues to rank as one of the worst binge drinking states year after year. Unfortunately, education alone won't reduce the harms. We ought to focus on policies and practices that will alter our behaviors.