BIO
Mykala O'Brien, M.P.H., currently works for a local health department in North Carolina, implementing a community-based program centered around wellness. Wellness is a broad yet key pillar in shifting our mindset from survival mode to flourishing. It is imperative to take charge of your health and fuel your body appropriately to improve your health outcomes and quality of life. This can be achieved by applying health behavior theories, health advocacy, and health communications. Public Health is foundational to addressing the exponential growth of chronic illness, social determinants of health, cultural humility, and building resilient communities. Mykala's work is actively centered around improving the health outcomes of direct and indirect community members, which has led to the perfect pairing of sharing trials and tribulations within the classroom setting for students to learn from and hopefully implement as they enter the field or continue their work in public health.
Community Engagement
There are many ways to engage with a community to better meet their needs. One of Mykala’s favorite baseline measurement tools is reviewing and/or performing a Community Needs Assessment (CNA). One perk of performing a CNA is that you can incorporate questions specific to your area of interest to ensure you are utilizing your resources to their maximum potential. In addition to being a CNA, Mykala enjoys interacting with community members and engaging in dialogue to provide a safe place for their voices to be heard and incorporated into program and policy development. Lastly, she likes to provide a seat at the table for a community champion to be present, seen, and heard by the other stakeholders involved in the decision-making. It is important to instill confidence in our community members to be advocates for their health and safety. Through achieving this buy-in within the community, one begins to see the impacts expand and reach whole populations.
Area(s) of expertise
Social and Behavioral Public Health; Health Advocacy; Leadership and Management; Community Development
Bio
Mykala O'Brien, M.P.H., currently works for a local health department in North Carolina, implementing a community-based program centered around wellness. Wellness is a broad yet key pillar in shifting our mindset from survival mode to flourishing. It is imperative to take charge of your health and fuel your body appropriately to improve your health outcomes and quality of life. This can be achieved by applying health behavior theories, health advocacy, and health communications. Public Health is foundational to addressing the exponential growth of chronic illness, social determinants of health, cultural humility, and building resilient communities. Mykala's work is actively centered around improving the health outcomes of direct and indirect community members, which has led to the perfect pairing of sharing trials and tribulations within the classroom setting for students to learn from and hopefully implement as they enter the field or continue their work in public health.
Community Engagement
There are many ways to engage with a community to better meet their needs. One of Mykala’s favorite baseline measurement tools is reviewing and/or performing a Community Needs Assessment (CNA). One perk of performing a CNA is that you can incorporate questions specific to your area of interest to ensure you are utilizing your resources to their maximum potential. In addition to being a CNA, Mykala enjoys interacting with community members and engaging in dialogue to provide a safe place for their voices to be heard and incorporated into program and policy development. Lastly, she likes to provide a seat at the table for a community champion to be present, seen, and heard by the other stakeholders involved in the decision-making. It is important to instill confidence in our community members to be advocates for their health and safety. Through achieving this buy-in within the community, one begins to see the impacts expand and reach whole populations.
Areas of Expertise
Social and Behavioral Public Health; Health Advocacy; Leadership and Management; Community Development