Category: public-health-week

Where does your public health work take you?

I have the privilege of being in people’s homes. They allow me to be in the sacred space of their home, and I am honored to work with people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. For example, I work with Egyptians, Afghans, Pakistanis, people from Mauritania, all over, whether they are immigrants, second generation immigrants, refugees, or SIV. They are trying to make a home in this country. I work with them and help them navigate their resources and make it a real home. My focus is Henrico residents, but we serve people all over the Greater Richmond area.

A high percentage of time, CHWs are in the community. If there’s an immunization event, or an educational series, or a festival or a cookout, we love to be in the community. We love to celebrate when they are celebrating and to make sure they know where to find us before they need us. We make sure that care services are accessible. Care is not just immunization appointments. It can be looking for a job, knowing which doctors accept Medicaid, learning about healthy food, or figuring out how to talk to the school. And we support and empower people to help them navigate the system by themselves. We provide tools and facilitate barriers if there are any barriers. It’s all public health!

Where did you learn about public health and serving others?

I was born a change agent. My parents and my grandma, Mama Amina, are very kind people. Mama Amina is the definition of someone who leads by kindness and not just by standing up in front of people. She is an herbalist and is known as a healer. As an indigenous Nubian person, she’s connected to the land, and she has so much knowledge about food and medicine. She knows what causes and what can heal disease. The connection to the land is also what makes her ask “where were you? What did you do? Who were you with?” She will ask all the right questions—a lot of whys—until she puts her hands on the source of things. I try to do the same! In public health, we also ask all of these questions. Growing up, I didn’t understand why these questions mattered. But after the pandemic, we know these questions—who were you with, where did you go?—are very important!

She will visit a person in need in the community, clean for them, feed them, and bring gifts for them that will meet their basic needs, and she will do that secretly and keep that person’s dignity. To provide care with dignity and kindness is the trauma-informed part of the approach. And Mama Amina practices that without the same name. Now, she doesn’t make home visits as much, but people come to her and tell her how much she helped them.

Where did you work before health?

Some immigrants and refugees will say not “my past life” but “my other life,” as if we lived twice. In Sudan and Egypt, in my other life, I was a banker as it was my job to make a living, but my heart in the community was always working in social development and peacemaking. At the time, I didn’t know the term “social determinant of health,” but that’s what I always loved to do. We worked on providing clean water, digging water wells, building clinics and schools, providing basic needs and education about the best ways for living and co-existing, and facilitating alternatives to violence training and non-violence workshops, so I believe I was somehow always in public health. Wherever you are, there is a way to serve.

Where are some places you do outreach work in Richmond and Henrico?

Whenever I am needed in the community and whenever I am welcome, I am there. We try to be in the community as much as we can. We go to a lot of weekly, monthly, and annual events. For example, I love the Henrico National Night Out cookout. We go to a lot of neighborhoods that night. And we have gone to the multicultural festival in Richmond. This year, it will be in June!

Rapid Round

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast? Depends on the day ?

What’s Richmond’s best month?  October

Where do you find rest or rejuvenation? In nature, anywhere near the water and arts.

What’s your walk-up song?  “Vivian,” by El Noor Jailani, a famous Sudanese singer. It’s a song about a South Sudanese lady, and it is a song that calls for co-existing and peacemaking. After work, if I go for a walk or a drive, I find myself humming it. When I got my first car here, I named it Vivian!

Where did you find your passion for public health? 

After working in a range of issue area campaigns and organizations—from environmental and economic justice to transportation and urban planning—joining RHHD felt like a reunion of all the most pressing topics I’d touched in previous roles all under one roof. Public health embraces the idea that many systems all influence health outcomes. We have to show up and advance evidence-based services, programs, and policies in all these arenas!

Where would we be likely to find you after work? 

Riding my bike across town chasing between after-hours meetings, kiddo activities, and sunniest patio I can find!

Where is your favorite place to take out-of-town visitors? 

The Pump House Park and trails by the river near the Nickel Bridge.

Random Round! 

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast? Workdays? Coffee and a banana and out the door! Weekends? Bagels whenever humanly possible

What’s Richmond’s best month?  October means the Folk Festival, foliage, and spooky season!

Would you rather be a ghost or a dog? Dog 100%. Life is full of joy when your reward systems are all food, love, and walks.!

Where does public health take you?

As the District Testing Coordinator, I cover a lot of ground with our mobile clinic van, offering testing, resources, and more. I particularly love going out to the community events and doing outreach, like at the Science Museum on Halloween or River Rock! In my day to day though, I facilitate COVID testing and home test distribution at 4-5 community based events a week, through partners, and our resource centers; I support our clinics when there is a surge in cases of other viruses like the flu or mpox in the community; I work with our employee health team fitting staff into the proper respiratory protection and as a CPR/BLS instructor and overdose REVIVE! Trainer. I spend most of my time out in the community, usually on the Southside or East End.

Where did you learn about public health? Who is your public health hero? 

COVID got me into public health, but I’ve always loved to help others and this was a good avenue to do so! My hero is Kate Bausman – she got me started with the Medical Reserve Corps!

Where were you before you joined RHHD? 

I was at VCU here in Richmond for their Homeland Security and Emergency Management program (the first in the nation!).

What are some of the most important health needs you see in our community? 

Health education, connectivity, and insurance coverage.

Where do you find rest or rejuvenation? 

Nature, walking trails, the river, the forest, anywhere without concrete!

Random Round!

What’s Richmond’s best month?  

April, I love spring here.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now? 

Season 2 of Physical 100 ? (which is also helping with my Korean lessons).

Would you rather be a ghost or a dog? 

Ghost, I have a few tricks I’d like to pull!

Where does public health take you?

I am housed out of our 400 E. Cary St. Location. My team and I are normally the first faces you see when coming into Cary St. or our three resource center clinics (Mosby, Southwood, and Gilpin).

Where did you work before public health? 

I worked in various private health care settings, from local hospital organizations to long-term care and even ambulatory care. For me, public health work is more fulfilling because our work is not based on dollar figures but the well-being of the communities we serve.

Where do you find inspiration at work? 

Seeing our clients get connected to the care and treatment they need. And also seeing the growth in my team and they work they do. It’s always been my motto that I’m here to help you grow. When my team and clients grow personally or professionally, I know then that I have been affective.

Where would we be likely to find you after work? 

Playing with my daughter and listening to her trying to tell me about her day. Or maybe at church leading my Young Adult ministry or even preparing for Sunday service at choir rehearsal.

Random round! 

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast? During the work week, I would settle for no breakfast and just coffee. During vacations or weekends, I really, really enjoy a hot breakfast. I enjoyed going down south as a kid and adult to spend time with my grandmother and great-grandmother. Every morning, they would prepare a hot breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, grits, sausage, eggs, fried apples, spam, fried potatoes, and anything else they felt like making that morning.

What’s Richmond’s best month? I’m biased because I’m a fall baby. I’ll say October. You have the changing of the leaves, it’s still warm and not as cool yet.

Would you rather be a ghost or a dog? I think I would rather be a ghost. I would be able to travel the world and still see all the things, my family, and friends, and maybe even spook a few people.

Where does your public health work take you?

I work in the Henrico West office, and I also go out for field work at food service facilities all over Henrico. This also includes conducting inspections at events such as NASCAR and the Dominion Energy Charity Classic golf tournament.

Where do you see public health heroism?

My RHHD coworkers are my public health heroes because of the incredible and important work they do every day!

Where do you find rest or rejuvenation?

When I need a break, I enjoy walking or running outside, reading, napping, or going out to eat!

Random Round!

What are you watching or listening to right now? Tokyo Vice and Heretics of Dune.

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast? Hot breakfast! I love a good bacon egg and cheese bagel. I wake up early, so sometimes I even have second breakfast!

Where does public health take you?

I have been helping communities learn how to save lives during opioid overdose emergencies. I provide training sessions on how to use naloxone (in-person and virtually), and I also dispense the medication. I am usually in the community when I’m not sorting through paperwork, attending meetings, or receiving training to build upon my skills.

Where did you learn about public health? Who is your public health hero? 

My public health heroes were the early African American midwives who paved the way for maternal health and fought to continue their work amidst all the challenges they faced. Women like Ina May Gaskin, Mary Coley, and Biddy Mason to name a few. Like them, I wanted to make a difference and be a voice that people could trust.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re at work? 

Losing my brother inspires me when I am serving the community. I hope that my words, education, or dispensing of resources can help someone save themselves or their loved ones.

Where would we find you after work? 

After work, I’m usually in the backyard with Henny & the Gang (my five hens!)

Where is your favorite place to take out-of-town visitors? 

I am a foodie, so it depends on the visitor’s taste buds. My favorite food right now is sushi and Ginger Red Asian Bistro in Mechanicsville is leading the pack; they have really good egg drop soup, too!

Random Round!

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast? Hot breakfast—I have an endless supply of eggs!

What’s your walk-up song? “Float,” by Janelle Monae

Which sandwich best describes your style of working? A French Dip. We have amazing ingredients—sliced angus beef, swiss cheese (or vegan smoked gouda—it’s okay!) plus grilled onions and horseradish. Separately, they can be a lot but we are all on the same page. Things may get messy with a dip of Au Jus but it all comes together!

Would you rather be a dog or a ghost? A ghost.

Where does public health take you? 

In Outreach, we focus on geographic areas or populations where there’s an identified need, typically in low-income areas or populations that are often the most marginalized. These are folks who have barriers related to the social determinants of health that may hinder them from reaching services like medical appointments and or social needs. In Richmond most of our focus has been in the Black and LatinX communities while in Henrico we have identified the need to be present for our newcomer/refugee communities. As public health issues and concerns arise, we pivot our efforts to get communities the information and resource connections they need. For instance, during Mpox, we found ways to be present in some of the frequently visited areas, places, and businesses for folks who were most affected. 

The health department has been around for a long time, but unfortunately, we still have folks who are unaware of continued services here. I believe the more folks know, the more they’re willing to use the tools that are given to them but also keeping in mind our need to help in breaking down any barriers to get services. 

We want people to get excited and be more knowledgeable about the things we’re continuing to do especially in our clinical spaces, like immunizations, TB, STI and family planning clinics. When people hear health department in today’s climate, they often think about our environmental health services (health inspectors). From what I gather they forget about vital records, population health teams, and our ever-evolving Maternal/Child health services. Programs that are doing great works in our communities. And we (The Outreachables) are here to make sure folks don’t forget by showing up and promoting all these great services. 

And how can I forget our Community Health Worker Education and Training program, which is another available opportunity to give community members career opportunities in serving in the very communities they grew up in.  In this virtual classroom space, we’re able to reach a larger audience across the state and even the country. Since 2022, we’ve trained 136 community health workers. CHWs ROCK! 

Where were you before you worked at RHHD? 

I was working in mental health supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Prior to that, I had my undergraduate degree in exercise science and kinesiotherapy. In my younger years, I aspired to be an occupational therapist. I’ve always had a passion for wanting to help people. 

I did a lot of praying and researching to figure out what that looked like for me, knowing that folks in my community are often faced with more barriers and obstacles, I also identified that young teens often get looked over. When I got my master’s in public health with a concentration in health promotion, I felt like I’d been doing it all my life—specially making sure our young teens were educated on health in all the parts of their life.   

Where do you see public health needs in our community?   

I wish there was more synchronicity among community-based organizations (CBOs) and the government sector. There are some things we can’t do that our CBOs can do, and they often have a larger reach, but they’re limited in their resources. I hope we find ways of continuing to support their great ideas and great programming, because typically they’re right in those communities, they’re already doing the thing.   

Where would we be likely to find you after work?   

I’m a homebody, so I don’t mind being home, kicking my feet up and turning on a good show or movie. I also like to travel so much so I’ve added to my bucket list to visit a majority of the Spanish-speaking countries. I took this interest because I love culture immersion  and I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish as a second language and what better way to learn and practice.  I’ll be going to Costa Rica in June which is my fourth country since starting in 2022. 

Rapid round!   

What’s Richmond’s best month? September 

What’s your walk-up song? My pick is also my karaoke song: “Show Me Love,” by Robin S.   

Which sandwich best describes your style of working? A club sandwich with toasted, crunchy white bread. There are layers to how I work, and a structure to keep things together. And I love things to be super-structured, but I know it’s not the reality! When there’s a little bit of mess, that’s okay!   

Would you rather be a dog or a ghost? Neither. I’m not an animal person, and I DO NOT mess with ghosts. 

Where does your public health work take you?  

Southwood Resource Center. We link community members to the resources they are need, like access to food banks, help with submitting SNAP and Medicaid applications, car seat safety classes and Narcan classes.   

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

From the need to help members of my community.  

Where did you work before public health?

Property and Casualty Insurance 

What are some of the most important public health needs you see in our community?

Access to food and healthcare 

Hot breakfast, cold breakfast, or no breakfast?  Hot breakfast 

What’s Richmond’s best month? Late September or early October 

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now? The 3 Body Problem 

Where does public health take you? 

I work at Southwood Resource Center and on the southside of Richmond.  

Where were you before you worked at RHHD?  

I was working at Cover Virginia as a Medicaid Eligibility Worker.  

Where does public health need to go next?  

I see the need in our community for more mental health, medical, and dental services. 

Where do you find rest or rejuvenation?  

At the gym!   

Where is your favorite place to take out-of-town visitors?  

The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  

Random Round!  

What’s Richmond’s best month? April or October.  

What’s your walk-up song? Everybody by Nicki Minaj  

Which sandwich best describes your style of working? The club sandwich.