In the spring of 2020, Rachel Stokes ’10 was working as an environmental health specialist with the Indian Health Service in Arizona. In her role, she assisted the tribe in a variety of ways – from promoting health and safety in public gathering spaces to managing environmental health emergencies. When COVID-19 began to impact the tribal community she served, her work went into overtime and her role as a public health professional grew exponentially, meanwhile she was still completing her doctorate degree online. In working with the Indian Health Service, Rachel saw up close how culture goes hand-in-hand with health, particularly with indigenous communities. She was stationed in Arizona with an Apache tribe while providing environmental health services for about 13,000 tribal members. See an article here from Samford University’s Seasons magazine regarding her work in Arizona: https://bit.ly/3CSbAoU In January 2021, Rachel left her position in Arizona to finish her final semester in the Doctor of Public Health program. At Samford University’s spring 2021 commencement, Rachel became the first graduate of the School of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health, a professional doctoral program designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the field of public health, focusing on the practical application of public health principles across a variety of settings.Rachel says, “I was drawn to environmental health due to the issues in our own community in Anniston. Growing up with that awareness led me to want to prevent other communities from experiencing similar exposure and health issues.” When asked, Rachel said, “The favorite part of my job is the variability of my day to day. In Indian Health Service we provide comprehensive environmental health services – everything from food safety to injury prevention to healthy homes. Some days I’m inspecting food facilities, others I’m in the field collecting mosquito or tick samples. It can get a bit hectic at times, but luckily I learned solid time management skills at Donoho. I also love the capacity building side of my job, which includes providing education and leading training. Some of my best days are the days I get to interact with community members and talk about environmental/public health.” Rachel attended The Donoho School from pre-k to 12th grade, so she said there are a number of teachers, coaches, and classmates who had an impact on her over the years. Some of her favorite memories were made in extracurricular activities at Donoho, specifically in theatre and track and field. Both of these pushed her beyond my comfort zone, building confidence and discipline that have served Rachel well since her Donoho days.We are so incredibly proud of you and your work, Rachel. Thank you for what you are doing in the pursuit of your dreams in helping others.
