Health Educator: Day in the Life

It was one of the first nice days in Chicago, and as someone who cherishes such moments before the onset of “second winter,” I seized the opportunity. Today, I managed to persuade my roommates to join me for a sunrise run along Lake Michigan. This year, I've been practicing what I preach as a health educator, emphasizing the importance of staying active and maintaining a nutritious diet. I've felt a positive transformation in my overall health and mood as a result.

After preparing for the day, I left my apartment around 8:00 a.m. for a brief bus ride. Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at the Tapestry 360 Wilson Clinic. Upon entering, I say my “hellos” to the security staff before making my way to the provider room to set up my workstation. With a short window before the daily huddle—an all-staff morning meeting for updates—I utilized the time to check my schedule on the EMR (Electronic Medical Record) and organize my materials. Today is full of wellness groups, clinic appointments, meetings, and patient outreach.

Prior to diving into clinic duties, I had my weekly meeting with my host site supervisor. We caught up on ongoing projects within both the community clinic and Senn High School’s clinic, including an upcoming nutrition presentation with fellow NHC member, Riana, for World Relief—an organization dedicated to refugee support.

Afterwards, I headed to the other end of the clinic to assist with a wellness group called “Cooking for Nutrition and Joy.” This group convenes weekly for nutrition education sessions and monthly for cooking classes—in today's session, we were preparing barley soup. I enjoy engaging with this group of patients as we openly discuss the joys of food and foods that bring us happiness.

During my lunch break, I took a walk to bask in the limited sunlight that Chicago has in the winter. The Uptown neighborhood holds a special place in my heart, having been my home on the far north side of the city for many years. It brings me immense satisfaction to serve in an area I call home and a community I feel deeply connected to.

The remainder of my day was a whirlwind of tasks, including patient outreach to newly referred individuals and one-on-one appointments. My first appointment of the day was with Daniel,* a patient I regularly meet to provide smoking cessation support and nutrition education. As a health educator, I've honed my skills and acquired new techniques across various aspects of patient contact. Witnessing patients achieve their goals and make sustainable lifestyle changes is undeniably gratifying.

As the day drew to a close, I wrapped up a couple more appointments with new patients. What I love most about my role is the diverse array of experiences I encounter working in both a community and school-based clinic. Each day presents unique challenges and opportunities, allowing me to explore different avenues within public health—a field that has always intrigued me. My decision to join the National Health Corps was driven by a desire to delve deeper into the possible career paths within the larger umbrella of public health. I now feel better equipped to pursue my career in public health and am excited to start my Master of Public Health (MPH) program in the fall, where I can further cultivate the skills I've gained through my service.