What motivated you to work at ASPR? I was drawn to ASPR because I believe in the mission has true impact on saving American lives and aligns with my career goals, which are to assist the country in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies and disasters.
I oversee a branch that houses a team of people, known as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) preparedness advisors, who are the main SNS liaisons to the state, local, tribal and territorial preparedness community. They work closely with public health emergency preparedness directors and medical countermeasure coordinators in all 10 Department of Health and Human Services regions across the nation. In the Resource Liaison Branch, we provide direct assistance with medical countermeasure logistics planning, focusing on aspects of the response operation involving receiving, staging, storing, and distribution of medical countermeasures from the SNS.
Does your heritage shape the way that you serve the public or give you a unique perspective that contributes to public service? Growing up Mexican American in Southern California, I was exposed to a variety of minority communities who worked hard to obtain and maintain access to quality healthcare. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I accepted an opportunity to work within AmeriCorps, where I assisted uninsured eligible individuals and families within the southern Los Angeles area to better understand the health care system, how to choose health insurance, and help families navigate through various available health care options. This was my first exposure to public health work in action which inspired me to go back to school and earn my master’s degree in public health. Together, my unique experiences and perspective as a firsthand witness to the power of public health work have contributed deeply to my decision to trailblaze a career in public service.
Has your work impacted Hispanic or Latino communities? Although my work has not specifically focused solely on Hispanic or Latino communities, I am fortunate enough that it has afforded me the opportunity to see the benefits of multiple programs and taken me across the nation where I have had the pleasure of contributing to major missions that lay the foundation to help saves lives and protect Americans from health threats.
On a personal level, I have been approached multiple times as a Hispanic leader and served as a mentor, through mentorship programs, to other colleagues in the federal service. As a Latina, I have also been asked how I developed my career path and if I could advise others on their career development. I am grateful for my career in public service and proud to now be a part of the SNS team who works every day to prepare and respond to emergencies, support state and local preparedness activities, and ensure availability of critical medical assets to protect the health of Americans.
