What do you love most about working in STD prevention?

I really love the people—their passion for this work (often in spite of great challenges) really inspires me.  They have taken me into the “STD fold” and made me feel like I’ve never been outside of this field! I love learning from them about how they are addressing the needs of their populations in their localities.  I also really enjoy some of the conversations we have in this field that are completely normal.  For example, I just said to another NCSD staff member: “Let me see if I can get a picture of my daughter playing with syphilis [the plush giant microbe] tonight.” Where else can you say something like that and not get looked at like you have three heads? Plus, having an educated answer for “What’s your favorite STD?” is a pretty fun party trick.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our field?

The seemingly ever-present threat of funding cuts.  Coupled with the reality that most of the STD field are public employees (and so limited in what interactions they can have with policymakers), and the limited voices discussing chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis with policymakers makes it very challenging to advocate for STD prevention.  This is something we’ve been thinking a lot about lately at NCSD—how can we engage different voices on behalf of STD prevention– those who work on STDs outside of the health department (such as providers, community based providers and members)—to amplify the good work of health departments. Keep an eye out for a new action platform on the revamped NCSD website—a way for individuals to take action on a political issue!

When you’re not working, what’s your favorite thing to do

with your free time?

I have a very active one year-old, so most of my non-working time is spent chasing after her—she loves to be outside and loves to climb anything she can find a perch for her feet. (Recently she’s started attempting to climb our living room end tables and the ledges in the bathtub…)  I spend a lot of time pulling her off the stairs as she attempts to scamper up them! I’m also part of my neighborhood book club and enjoy reading on my commutes into the NCSD offices from Northern Virginia. Lately,  I’ve been reading books by Kate Andersen Brower—The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House (about the permanent staff that work in the White House) and First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies.