Beth Reis is an experienced public health professional, with a M.S. in health education from University of Washington. She has worked with the Family Planning Program at Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) since 1984 and serves as Co-Chair for the Safe Schools Coalition, whose role is to reduce bullying and violence in schools locally, nationally and internationally.

Beth's career evolved over the years from guest speaking to curriculum development. Early on, she was involved in classroom outreach (fifth grade through college). Soon after, she began developing sexual health curriculum and teacher trainings with a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, and the prevention of bullying and violence. She continues to focus on curriculum development and has, along with “an incredible team of colleagues at PHSKC,” recently updated Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH), a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum, which is available for free download.

Beth has a deep passion for educating gatekeepers, such as legislators, school boards, teachers, and counselors, on factors that contribute to health disparities, such as race, class, age and sexual identity. She sees education as playing a pivotal role in changing the misperceptions and controversies that exist around family planning and sexual health. “Too many children and teens are denied life saving sexual and reproductive health information. Too many are experiencing harassment or discrimination without adult intervention. And too many people miss out on family planning services because they don't know they exist or believe they can't afford them,” she said.

Outside of work, Beth can be found reading, walking, or exercising at Curves. She has a large extended family, which includes her partner Barbara, four children, 15 grandchildren, 2 great grand children and her three-legged mutt, Obie. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family—playing cards, games, eating good food, and traveling.

As mentor, Beth can offer strategies for coalition building and community organizing, and says, “I have a great library of curricula, especially about sexual health and LGBT issues, and I'm always glad to share it.” To professionals just starting out in the field she adds, “If you think something's easy, it's probably something you are good at, and not everyone else is. You may think it is not worth doing, but do it anyway—it could be a great contribution to the field.” Beth is available by email.
 

Diana Vinh is an advanced practice nurse specialist with King County Steps to Health. She has a diverse public health background that began overseas training health workers in West Africa and Thailand. She moved to the Northwest and continued her public health work with Public Health - Seattle & King County. She is experienced in a variety of areas, such as chronic disease prevention, maternal child health, communicable diseases, and emergency preparedness. Currently, Diana supervises community health workers doing asthma and diabetes visits in South King County and she co-facilitates the “Healthy and Active Rainier Valley Coalition” in Southeast Seattle.

Over the years, Diana has worked with several student interns and says, “They offer new ideas, time, and resources, such as professors and other students. Mentoring interns is a positive experience—I can link them to resources in the community and within public health, and offer instructive feedback on their work.” Diana has helped students develop many interesting health promotion efforts, such as the “Healthy Restaurant Initiative” and the “Shop Around Project”—both developed by students in the Masters in Public Health program at University of Washington. When asked how she handles the work once students move on she explains, “We write a work plan outlining what they are doing and how they are doing it so someone else can easily pick up where they left off. I also try to have students involved within a coalition of people to ensure others can carry on the body of work.”

Diana would be glad to share her experience recruiting and mentoring interns. She can also share information on community building, working with limited English speaking populations, and promoting evidence based programs. Diana is also passionate about providing information that is culturally appropriate, accurate, usable and targeted. She notes, “In my first years of work, I remember an experienced nurse advising me to really target my use of pamphlets and brochures, but I kept on handing them out until I really saw how people ignored most of them.”

Outside of work, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking, and reading. She can be reached by email at Diana.Vinh@METROKC.GOV.

“…God does not give you hills too hard to climb...Today you do not walk alone—today you walk with God.”
- James Dillet Freeman

Darrell Cochran has a long-standing career in environmental public health. He has worked in many content areas including drinking water, hazardous waste, school health and safety, indoor air quality, and food safety. Currently, Darrell works as a Senior Environmental Health Specialist with the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department in the Environmental Health Division.

Darrell received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from St. Martin's College and Master of Science Degree from the Evergreen State College. When asked what words of advice he wished he had received during his first years in the public health field, he notes, “Two things...one, if you want to promote sustainable behavior change, apply the least controlling methods first. And two, be patient when you want to see change occur. Some of the most valuable work in public health came after years of health education and promotion—when the time is right, the change becomes universally accepted.”

Darrell’s thoughts on today's public health challenges have to do with food safety and water safety. He notes, “Especially in light of the global approach to food sources, we must not forget the basic public health programs that monitor the foods we eat, water we drink, and the disposal of the sewage we generate. Funding for the most basic public health programs must be stable and predictable so that we have a base to work from when new, emerging issues arise.” Darrell also notes that obesity, “not only in the general population, but in children as well, is a current hot topic in the field of public health.”

As a mentor, Darrell can offer technical assistance on establishing partnerships, developing school health and safety programs, and managing food safety programs. Darrell is passionate about breaking down science to a level that is understandable. He enjoys “watching people apply new knowledge and knowing lives will be made better.” He especially sees this when teaching food safety certification classes—when restaurant managers apply microbiology to reduce the risk of disease in the community. 

Darrell has a number of interests that keep him busy outside of work. “My favorite activity is walking with my wife.” He also likes to fish for salmon and steelhead, golf, read, travel, cook and spend time with his seven grandchildren and their families. Darrell can be reached by email or phone at 360-754-3355 extension 7524.