2005 mentors -- Health Education Resource Exchange (H.E.R.E.) - Washington State

2005 Mentors of the Month

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Past H.E.R.E. Newsletters Past Mentors
October 2005
Charlotte Claybrooke Washington State Department of Transportation	Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead Charlotte Claybrooke often relies on this quote to guide her work as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Transportation. She believes strongly in the power of interpersonal connection and says, "Being successful in the field of public health is just as much about how and what you influence and inspire others to do as it is about what you do yourself." Charlotte received her Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Colorado. She began her career in public health as a Physical Activity Specialist at the Washington State Department of Health where she worked on such programs as: Healthy Communities Moses Lake, Safe Routes to School, and the Active Communities Environments Grassroots Project. Charlotte is passionate about helping make healthy places where children and adults can walk, bike and be active. She continues to work on the Safe Routes to School and Active Communities Environments Project in her current position at the Department of Transportation. She is also involved in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program which aids public agencies in funding cost-effective improvement projects such as: constructing bicycle and pedestrian paths; completing existing bicycle lanes and sidewalks; and providing pedestrian and bicycle improvements for risk groups like children, the elderly and people with disabilities. She believes that there is a significant need for public health to involve itself in making changes to our environment so that "...the healthy choice is the easy choice." Charlotte has extensive experience with public health approaches to physical activity and health. Some of her other skills include: knowledge of transportation and physical activity issues, social marketing, community involvement, project evaluation, surveillance, planning, grant writing and contract management. Many of her outside interests match her professional work and include: biking, hiking, playing and keeping up with a 9-year-old. She would be happy to talk with individuals by phone or email about any of these topics. You can reach Charlotte Claybrooke at (360) 705-7302 or ClaybrC@wsdot.wa.gov.
August 2005
Sara Eve Sarliker Washington State Department of Health	"Listen." Sara Eve Sarliker admits that this is the advice she wished she would have received as a new public health professional. "I think that first year I wanted to prove myself, so I sometimes talked when it would have been better to listen. People often tell you exactly what you need to know in order to help," she says. These days, listening is an important component of Sara Eve's position as a health promotion specialist in the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program for the Washington State Department of Health. She works closely with community groups to promote diabetes awareness, plan media campaigns and develop messages to prevent and control diabetes. With a family history of type 2 diabetes, Sara Eve has a lot of empathy for the communities she serves. "Having a chronic disease can be isolating," she says, "but when you realize that what you need to do isn't so different than what everyone else needs to do to be healthy, you don't feel so alone." Sara Eve received her B.A. in Women's Studies from the University of California in Santa Cruz and her Masters of Public Health from California State University in Northridge. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Sara Eve has extensive professional experience working with the media, especially in the areas of newspaper and website production. She has also worked for the California Diabetes Program doing evaluation and giving educational presentations to clients with type 2 diabetes about how to take charge of their health. Don't be surprised if you spot Sara Eve enjoying her weekends at the Olympia Farmer's Market or walking in Priest Point Park with her seven month old daughter, husband, and dog Lucy. If you are interested in chatting with Sara Eve about her experience working with the media, community-based planning, or promotion of diabetes prevention or control you may email her at: sara.sarliker@doh.wa.gov. Please note that summer is usually the best time to reach her.
June 2005
Ann Riley Kittitas County Public Health Department	“It takes all of us, and it takes forever.” Ann Riley passes on these words of colleague Jane Wright to new public health professionals like a treasured heirloom. Not only does this quote perfectly capture Ann’s passion for community involvement, it also represents a formative concept in the development of her nine year career at the Kittitas County Public Health Department. Ann has her B.S. in Community Health Education and her M.S. in Organizational Development, both from Central Washington University. She is currently the Health Promotion Manager at the Kittitas County Public Health Department and works with her colleagues to implement a diverse group of programs aimed at improving the health of Kittitas County residents. These programs include the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Breast and Cervical Health Program Outreach and Enrollment, and Food Handlers Education Classes. Ann is committed to involving community members in her health promotion efforts and says, “I feel privileged to be in a position that allows me to help facilitate community mobilization toward improving health in my community.” Her latest project, Shape Up Kittitas County, is geared toward promoting physical activity and nutrition by creating environmental changes in Kittitas County schools and the surrounding community. On a personal note, Ann is an avid traveler and has dreams of someday journeying to India. Please contact Ann Riley for expertise regarding program planning tools and structure, community coalition building, and program management. She can be reached by email at: riley@co.kittitas.wa.us.
January 2005
Ruth Abad Washington State Department of Health	People who meet Ruth Abad probably first notice that she is both tiny in stature and a dynamo of ideas and energy. Ruth is a Healthy Communities Specialist, working on obesity prevention in the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program at the Washington Department of Health (DOH). She is a “tried and true” health educator, with an MPH in Community Health Education from the University of Hawaii School of Public Health, a Master of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts, and many years in the field. One of her favorite jobs was as a health educator for the Immunization Program at the State Department of Health in Hawaii. She traveled the archipelago and met with local community leaders from the Samoan, Hawaiian, and Asian communities, was guest speaker on rural radio shows, and worked with local health educators to develop an immunization outreach program on each island. Another highlight was working with a group of colleagues under the leadership of one of her heroes, Dr. Maxine Hayes, to develop and carry out an initiative on cultural competency for Parent Child Health Services, the precursor to the present division of Community and Family Health at DOH. Today, Ruth enjoys working with the City of Mount Vernon to develop a “Healthy Communities Action Plan” that focuses on environmental and policy changes to support physical activity and healthy eating. “It’s great to watch civic leaders use their skills and passion to mobilize their community and develop a plan that’s unique for Mount Vernon, and that also uses best public health practices,” she said. A positive aspect of her work is her belief that public health, in the purest sense, is a movement for social change and social justice. “I’m privileged to have a job that reflects my personal values. The challenge for me is to acknowledge that I work for a large bureaucracy, yet strive to do meaningful community-based public health,” she said. Her advice to beginning health educators is to heed the same message she heard in her graduate program, “Listen to the community.” She believes this is the framework of good public health education. “It’s hard work helping empower communities to make the changes needed to create a culture that promotes health and supports active lifestyles. That is our challenge. Our responsibility is to advocate for public policies that support community efforts.” Outside of work, she is happiest when she’s walking or hiking in the woods. “In my next life I want to be a park ranger!” Ruth says to contact her anytime to discuss community organizing, group facilitation, and coalition development. You can reach her at ruth.abad@doh.wa.gov

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