YOUR ASSOCIATION
NEHA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Ashley Green, REHS/RS Two Rivers Public Health Department
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is shin- ing a spotlight on the people within our membership through this feature in the Journal . This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Ashley Green, an environmental health supervisor at Two Rivers Public Health Department in Nebraska. She has been in this posi- tion for 2.5 years. In this role, she plans, coordinates, and supervises environ- mental health programs that address population health risks and disparities. Ashley also built and launched innovative programs, including a comprehensive swimming pool inspection program and the first rural Nebraska lead hazard reduction housing rehabil- itation program. As a subject matter expert in general environmen- tal health, healthy housing, and emergency preparedness, she uses data and quality improvement strategies to strengthen programs, inform policy, and advance public health priorities. Why did you join NEHA, and what aspects of member- ship have you found most valuable to your career? I joined NEHA for professional development opportunities and more resources to earn my REHS/RS credential. Since I am an early career professional, having this network allows me to ask questions, problem solve, learn about innovative practices nationwide, and meet others in the field—all from Nebraska! The most valuable part of NEHA so far in my career has been the completion of the Envi- ronmental Health Leadership Academy. I joined the program only 3 months into accepting a new leadership position, and the program gave me the mentorship, leadership tools, and knowledge to feel confident as I continue to grow my team and local programming. Why did you choose the environmental health field? My passion for environmental health began during a high school biol- ogy class movie day with a screening of Outbreak , a fictional yet real- istic portrayal of a zoonotic disease epidemic. That moment sparked a deep and growing interest in the dynamic and interconnected rela- tionship between humans, animals, and the environment, as well as the hazards that affect each of them individually and collectively. Now, after working in the field, my favorite part about working and choosing the environmental health field is that no day is ever the same. You are always solving a new problem, building new relationships, navigating changing regulations and emerging dis- eases, and improving community dynamics. If you weren’t an environmental health professional, what other profession would you like to work in? I wanted to be a veterinarian for years. Throughout high school and college, I worked as a vet assistant and then as a vet tech
in many different veterinary environments. If I were to work in another profession, I would likely return to veterinary medicine, as it has always been a passion area for me! What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of earning my REHS/RS credential. To me, it represents more than a professional credential. It demonstrates to my organization, community, and colleagues my commitment to environmental health and to continually growing within the profession. Personally, earning the credential has also given me an opportunity to recognize just how much I have learned and grown in a relatively short time in my professional career. It is something I can look back on as a reminder of the effort I have put in, the knowledge I have gained, and how far I have come. Who do you look up to and why? I look up to several people who have shaped my professional jour- ney in different ways. My high school science teacher, Jennifer Gibson, first introduced me to public health and epidemiology. She saw potential in my ability to make a difference at the population level, rather than focusing solely on individual interventions, and encouraged me to pursue that path. Her influence set me on a tra- jectory toward public health and ultimately environmental health. I also look up to Echo Warner, my first principal investigator, who gave me my first experience in research while I was in college work- ing on an adolescent cancer study. She always led with empathy and gave me the freedom to take ownership of a large project, trusting my knowledge and processes even when I was new to research. Her confidence in me helped me realize that I was capable of taking on challenging work and figuring things out along the way. I am grateful to both of these individuals for seeing potential in me before I fully recognized it in myself. What was the best professional advice given to you? The best professional advice I have received, and something I try to apply to everyday life, is that you will never grow if you do not get uncomfortable. Even in my relatively short career, I have experienced long nights, failed programs, missed deadlines, hiring mistakes, and difficult conversations. None of those experiences were particularly enjoyable in the moment, but each one taught me something valuable. They have pushed me to find new ways to approach problems, learn difficult lessons, and change processes that I might never have questioned otherwise. I have learned that discomfort is often where the most meaningful growth happens.
We thank Ashley Green for sharing with us!
54
Volume 89 • Number 3
Powered by FlippingBook