National Public Health Week 2025
Celebrate National Public Health Week with Us April 7-13, 2025
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Throughout the week, we’re hosting special events and showcasing the impactful work of public health professionals making a difference in our communities. Explore stories of innovation, dedication, and advocacy that are shaping a healthier future.​
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What is public health?
Public health is a field dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the chance to be as healthy as possible.
​Public health workers monitor the health of communities, analyzing data to identify patterns and potential health threats. They are committed to serving with respect for all people, ensuring that public health initiatives benefit everyone. A strong public health system not only protects individuals but also helps set communities up for long-term success. Investing in public health strengthens the entire community, creating a healthier and safer environment for all.
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Key public health initiatives include:
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Conducting restaurant inspections,
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Administering vaccines,
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Testing for sexually transmitted infections,
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Providing health education to communities,
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Responding to public health threats,
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Monitoring local water supplies to ensure safe drinking water, and
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Preventing unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or illicit drug use.
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NPHW Spotlight:
Wendy Morris
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Wendy Morris / Community Health Manager / One Health & Healthy Park County
Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: As a Community Health Manager overseeing prevention grants in both Wyoming and Montana, my day-to-day work is deeply rooted in public health principles, particularly in the areas of prevention, education, and collaboration. Each day involves a mix of program management, community engagement, and strategic planning. I work closely with local stakeholders—including public health officials, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations—to implement evidence-based prevention initiatives. This includes developing strategic messaging on substance use prevention, coordinating training programs like Mental Health First Aid and QPR, and supporting community events that promote behavioral health and well-being. Grant management is a key part of my role, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to programs that address local needs. I oversee budgets, track program outcomes, and progress reports to ensure compliance with grant requirements and to measure impact. Public health principles guide my approach by emphasizing prevention over treatment, data-driven decision-making, and equity - ensuring that our programs reach the most vulnerable populations in our rural communities. Through this work, I help strengthen local systems that support long-term health improvements and community resilience.
Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: My interest in public health began with a deep commitment to strengthening communities and improving well-being at a local level. Working in Wyoming, I’ve seen firsthand how rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare, prevention services, and resources. I was drawn to the intersection of healthcare, education, and community outreach, recognizing that sustainable change happens when we address root causes rather than just symptoms. Managing community prevention grants has allowed me to take that passion and turn it into action - developing strategic initiatives that focus on substance use prevention, mental health support, and overall community resilience. Seeing the direct impact of prevention efforts, from expanding access to evidence-based training to supporting collaborative partnerships, has reinforced my dedication to public health and the power of community-driven solutions.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: The most rewarding part of my job as a Community Health Manager is seeing the real impact that prevention efforts have on individuals and families in our communities. Managing community prevention grants allows me to support initiatives that address substance misuse, mental health, and overall well-being (hopefully) before crises occur. I find it incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with local organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to develop strategies that create healthier environments and empower people with the knowledge and resources they need. Knowing that our work helps prevent harm, reduces stigma, and strengthens communities makes every challenge worth it.
Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: One initiative I’m especially proud of is our work with Sources of Strength at both Cody High School and Heart Mountain Academy along with suicide prevention trainings across Wyoming. Through community prevention grants, we’ve expanded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) to equip community members, educators, and first responders with the tools to recognize and respond to suicide risk.
Additionally, we’ve implemented Sources of Strength in schools, empowering students to build resilience and create a culture of help-seeking behavior. By focusing on upstream prevention, we’re not only addressing crisis situations but also fostering long-term protective factors in our communities. These initiatives have strengthened local partnerships, increased access to lifesaving interventions, and helped shift the conversation around mental health in Wyoming—something I take immense pride in.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about public health?
A: One thing I wish more people understood about public health is that it’s about more than just healthcare—it’s about creating the conditions for people to live healthier lives. Public health focuses on prevention, education, and community-driven solutions that address root causes, not just symptoms. In Wyoming, where rural communities face unique challenges like limited access to healthcare, mental health services, and substance use prevention resources, public health efforts are essential for bridging gaps and ensuring that people have the support they need before crises occur. Investing in prevention—whether through community partnerships, strategic messaging, or workforce training—saves lives, reduces long-term costs, and strengthens the well-being of entire communities.
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NPHW Spotlight:
Doug Evans
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Doug Evans, a Senior Inspection Specialist at the Wyoming Department of Agriculture’s Consumer Health Services.
Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: His day-to-day responsibilities encompass a wide array of crucial tasks that contribute to the overall safety and well-being of the community. These tasks include:
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Conducting inspections and licensing for food facilities and temporary events
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Overseeing public pools and meat processing plants
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Providing educational instruction and consultation to food service and pool operations
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Addressing inquiries related to future business endeavors
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Conducting reviews of facility plans and food labeling
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Reviewing requests for variances from food and pool codes
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Investigating outbreaks and responding to complaints regarding health and safety violations
Doug emphasizes the importance of food safety inspectors as a vital yet often overlooked component of public health. By ensuring compliance with health standards, inspectors play a key role in facilitating safe food preparation and pool operations, thus contributing to consumer safety.
Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: Doug’s interest in consumer health was sparked during his search for a profession after earning a degree in Biology. He was drawn to the impactful nature of work in public health, where he could apply his scientific knowledge to real-world challenges.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: One of the most fulfilling aspects of Doug’s role is the knowledge that he is making a significant difference in protecting public health. He believes that the work of food and pool safety inspectors is crucial to ensuring consumer safety and maintaining high standards in his community.
Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: Throughout his career, Doug has participated in several important initiatives that have advanced public health. Notable projects include updating the Food and Pool Codes and obtaining his Registered Environmental Health Specialist credentials. Recently, he has taken pride in becoming a Certified Pool Operator instructor, contributing to the education and training of pool operators throughout Wyoming.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about public health?
A: Doug wishes to convey to the community that food safety inspectors are proactive partners in enhancing consumer safety, not just reactive responders to problems when they arise. He advocates for greater recognition of their efforts, emphasizing that although they often work behind the scenes, their contributions significantly impact
public health. By maintaining rigorous standards and providing guidance, inspectors strive to foster a safe environment for all consumers.
12PM
MON APRIL 7
Journal Club
Join us for a discussion on the American Journal of Public Health article “Public Health Communication Approaches for Building Common Ground.” This article highlights the importance of communicating public health efforts effectively to reduce polarization. Strategies include appealing to shared values, highlighting shared identities, emphasizing shared goals, and more.
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Save the date and join us for a discussion with your public health
colleagues!
12PM
TUES APRIL 8
Meet the Board! Get Involved!
Join the WPHA Board of Directors to learn about membership, and hear about opportunities to get involved with WPHA!
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ALL WEEK
What is Public Health? Professional Spotlight
Public health workers are in every community but a lot of public health work is conducting behind the scenes. All week long we will be highlighting different public health professionals across Wyoming in our "What is Public Health" interview series to learn how your community members work to ensure the health of your community. ​
Sign up for our newsletter to make sure you don't miss any of these public health shout outs!​
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NPHW Spotlight: Rebecca Reid
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Rebecca Reid The Coroner for Laramie County
Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: My day to day looks very different every day. As the coroner we deal with deaths each day. We could have a death at the Hospital, nursing care facility or even a home death. We just never know what our day will look like. When dealing with public health we may have a deceased person who has been dead for weeks or days or just passed. Each call has proper precautions that include wearing gloves and knowing circumstance and decedent’s medical history to determine if masks or further PPE is needed to take the decedent into our care safely. Our office does follow proper procedure including National Standards and Guidelines through CDC.
Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: When my Grandfather died, he was out in the elements of Arizona including high temperatures. I was allowed to view him before he was buried. Although he was a loved one it piqued my interest in the profession to determine cause and manner of death and how nature changes a body.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: In some decedent’s cases where there is an infectious disease that does not allow the family to view their loved ones, like Covid-19, my staff and I were able to describe on scene details and ensure we were with their loved one. A lot of decedents died during Covid-19 without any family interactions due to the strict rules of facilities or out of precaution at home. This is also true in other communicable diseases or viruses. My office also keeps statistics of each cause of death to keep better track of data and it has helped our community with the start of the Suicide Fatality Board and Overdose Fatality Board. This has helped to keep the citizens of Laramie County informed and shown different strategies to train key groups or citizens in Suicide prevention.
Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: When I became Coroner, I started the Laramie County Grief Support Group. Our County only had Suicide support for grief through another entity at that time. Grief is one of the hardest things we all go through in life, and I believe everyone grieving the loss of a loved one deserves support. Through this group we have helped families with biohazard clean up, staying in a hotel overnight while their residence is being cleaned from biohazard material after a death, providing a meal, helping with the start of counseling services and towing of vehicles from a death. We also have the Grief Support Group meeting and the loss of a Suicide Grief Support Group meeting twice a month to help provide support in a group setting with other people through loss. One of the biggest risk factors for suicide is the recent loss of a loved one. Prevention and Postvention helps lower the suicides in our county by providing this support.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about public health?
A: Coroners are not just a transport company. My staff and I are trained to determine cause and manner of death. Our training and position help contain and track different types of death to include disease or viruses. We had several flu cases at the beginning of this year. Each case had to be documented, the decedent was tested for flu and which strand of flu. Part of our information gathering during our investigation on each case does include any symptoms of illness in the last 72 hours prior to death and any contagious diseases or viruses with results.
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NPHW Spotlight: Jamie Markus
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Jamie Markus, Assistant Dean of Resource Discovery & Management at the University of Wyoming.
Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: My team and I currently manage the UW library collection and work to provide resources that support the learning and research in UW's health, medical, and other STEM-related colleges and academic programs. Each year, the team reviews our public health holdings and makes renewal and purchase decisions based on use, program changes, and the anticipated future needs of our faculty, students, and staff. This often involves outreach to vendors and teaching faculty as well as attendance at conference presentations.
Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: I spent 18 years working at a State Library creating and promoting continuing education events for library staff and access to statewide library resources. Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) programs and federal information resources played a big role in my work. Additionally, I assisted in the efforts to inform area residents about the health insurance changes found in the Affordable Care Act. It was during that work that I fully realized the size and scope of the public health ecosystem. I was truly amazed at the breadth and depth of services offered by some organizations as well as the resources that they made freely available to the public.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: I love providing resources that are used in classes or that support research! Seeing the use of our content increase gives me great joy. I am not a researcher but appreciate the small part I play in the research and discovery process and hope that the information I select and provide helps to clarify research agendas.
Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: Promoting the use of libraries as safe spaces to share public health information. Nearly all libraries provide free and easy access to meeting rooms for educational purposes as well as computers and/or internet access to anyone who walks through the doors. Plus, most residents find libraries to be a safe and inviting place to visit. This is the perfect combination of resources to support public health outreach activities.
NPHW Spotlight:
Tai Baker​
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Tai Baker MS, Senior Program Manager, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND)
College of Health Sciences, University of Wyoming
Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: The programs I manage all have the overarching goal of improving health outcomes of Wyoming residents. One program, the Wyoming Telehealth Network (WyTN) aims to do just that by building capacity of healthcare providers through professional development, collaboration and technical assistance, and leveraging telecommunications technology (i.e. free Zoom licenses). Another program, the Equality State Research Network (ESRN) aims to improve the overall health of Wyoming residents through community-engaged and community-driven research that addresses the unique needs of Wyoming’s rural and frontier communities. Additionally, building programs that support people with disabilities and improving access, health outcomes.
Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: I took a class in college related to health and psychology, one topic really intrigued me, about the impact on harm reduction programs as a means of public health. The professor was studying HIV stigma in rural Wyoming, and learning about her research changed the trajectory of my life. I started working on her research team transcribing interviews with individuals with HIV and Hepatitis C, learning more every day about
harm reduction programs at local and state levels.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: I find significant value in doing work that brings collective impact – not just on an individual level but on entire communities, populations, the public…
Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: I’m in the midst of establishing a Health and Disability State Program, with the overall goal to reduce health disparities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Wyoming. With a focus on training healthcare providers and professionals on best practices in providing accessible preventive health care to people with disabilities.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about public health?
A: Public health matters – and when public health is WORKING, people don’t actually see it.
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NPHW Spotlight:
Stephanie Lund
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Q: Can you share your name, title, and the organization you work for?
A: Stephanie Lund, MSN, RN Regional Supervisor, Department of Health Public Health Nursing
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Q: What is your role in public health, and what does your day-to-day work look like?
A: I am a Regional Supervisor for Public Health Nursing. My day-to-day work consists of meetings at the state level with our leadership team, or state programs. I meet regularly with the nurse managers I supervise, including 1:1 meetings that are scheduled and impromptu meetings when they need advice or something is happening for them at the county level. Lately I have been working with the WY Alzheimer's Association to work on community outreach and training our nursing staff on dementia.
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Q: How did you first become interested in public health?
A: My first interest in public health was when I was getting my bachelor's degree and did a practicum with Casper-Natrona County Health Department, back in 2010. The staff I worked with then were great and gave me a really good view of public health.
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Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work in public health?
A: When I was a staff nurse, I helped people understand a vaccine or better manage their diabetes to help them be healthier. Now, I help the staff have the resources they need or talk through an issue so they can better help their community.
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Q: What is one public health initiative or project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
A: The Public Health, Healthy Brain Initiative strategic plan was put on the back burner when COVID started, but it is now being put into action with the training of our staff.
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Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about public health?
A: Public Health is broad and encompasses many things that we take for granted, like clean air and water. It affects many aspects of our world and benefits our whole population.
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