Hey team, I wanted to share that while I will still be posting personal updates on this blog feed, I am shifting my analysis and professional writing to Substack. I think their suite of tools will be more effective as I am kicking-off a podcast about public health and health topics, OneMPH. Please join me … Continue reading Shifting to Substack
Blog
Presenter at Rural Roots
Hello, all! I am beyond thrilled to share that I will be presenting my work on rural food insecurity and it's unique challenges at the University of Kentucky's Rural Roots Conference this May. Woo! Now, I just have to get my slides and talking points together as the session length I was given is longer … Continue reading Presenter at Rural Roots
Applied for Rural Roots!
I am excited to share that I applied to be a session leader at the Rural Roots Conference in Lexington, KY, this Spring. I hope to be able to share practical and insightful commentary on rural food insecurity and its root causes. This is a subject that, if you have been following me, you know, … Continue reading Applied for Rural Roots!
Word of the Year – 2025
I'm not sure about you, but I like to choose a word for the year that I feel identifies my intentions for the year. For 2025, my word is excellence. To me, this word describes how I want to show up in my life. I want to live with intention this next year and work … Continue reading Word of the Year – 2025
New Year, New Opportunities
I can hardly believe that it's already 2025! This year has so many exciting things to look forward to... I have presentations, interviews, weddings, trips, and more planned this year! As the New Year begins, I like to take time and reflect on what I loved about the past year and what I would like … Continue reading New Year, New Opportunities
Rural Mental Health Day
When we think of rural lifestyles and farmers, we often think of idyllic landscapes and slow lives that allow people to cherish the moment, escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and have better mental health. However, that is not always the case. When looking at the data, we see farmers in the last … Continue reading Rural Mental Health Day
Honored to Be a Finalist for the University of Tennessee’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been honored as a finalist in the University of Tennessee’s 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition! This opportunity is more than just a platform to speak about my research—it’s a chance to share meaningful insights on rural food deserts and the critical importance of food access in creating healthier communities. … Continue reading Honored to Be a Finalist for the University of Tennessee’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Bridging the Gap: The Role of Universities in Community Engagement
As I reflect on my journey through the Community Engagement Academy at the University of Tennessee, I am struck by the profound responsibility that universities and researchers have toward the communities that support and sustain them. This experience has not only shaped my understanding of public health but has also reinforced my belief that academic … Continue reading Bridging the Gap: The Role of Universities in Community Engagement
Hurricane Helene – Devastaing Appalachia
It has taken me weeks to feel that I can put into words my emotions about the destruction and devastation that has occurred in Appalachia from Hurricane Helene. My heart breaks thinking about the communities and families that have been torn apart, especially as clean-up efforts seem slow and the death counts rise... Like most … Continue reading Hurricane Helene – Devastaing Appalachia
Balancing the Load
It's midterms time in Tennessee! This is always a stressful time for all students, and I am no exception. As a master's student who is taking a full load of classes (15 hours!), working part-time, and hoping to have a social life, it can feel like I am being pulled in 20 directions at once, … Continue reading Balancing the Load