In 2003, I began studying at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Nursing. As I approached this field I failed to realize the challenge that I faced with seeking this degree. I then had a change of heart to Public Health Education, in which I am glad that I made this change. I graduated from UNCG in 2007 with my Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Education and later submitted an application to the Chatham County Public Health Department to apply as their Tobacco Prevention Coordinator in 2008.My employment was accepted and began working in the community as a resource in tobacco education which focused primarily on tobacco cessation and informing youth about the consequences of smoking while providing them with information and resources to prevent initiation of smoking and assist in quitting if needed. While employed through a grant with the Health and Wellness Trust Fund , we recruited youth to assist in providing education to their peers and their community as well. The youth and I traveled to surrounding counties and completed trainings and activities to obtain the skills and data needed to inform Chatham County youth about the risks associated with tobacco consumption. As funding and the grant were close to an end, I then accepted the position as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Health Educator.
The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention position’s purpose is to develop and implement policy and environmental level interventions to address the adolescent public health issues of sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and adolescent pregnancy prevention. Education is provided in schools and the community through interactive materials and presentations elaborating on the consequences of sexually transmitted infections, an unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention. Along with this position is the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Chatham Coalition for Adolescent Health. The Coalition’s primary focus is to support, advocate for and develop strategies that improve the quality of adolescent life and reduce pregnancy among adolescents. The coalition also advocates for positive management of adolescent pregnancy, birth and parenting in Chatham County. Through these positions I am able to serve as a resource for the county and collaborate with those interested in reducing the teen pregnancy and STI/HIV rates of Chatham County, and develop skills, strategies, and programs needed in our approach.
Personally, I am a very driven, motivated, and serious individual dedicated to my jobs. In my free time I like to listen to music, cook, read, entertain and enjoy family and friends. I also like to be active in the community and meeting teens in the community to understand their mindsets and how well they function within their communities.
