Bethel University Magazine Spring 2021

&DVV\ :KLWH Š LV GLUHFWRU RI KHDOWK HTXLW\ HSLGHPLRORJ\ DQG GDWD DW WKH 6W -RVHSK &RXQW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI +HDOWK LQ 6RXWK %HQG ,QG 6KH LV D JUDGXDWH RI %HWKHOŠV ,QWHUQDWLRQDO +HDOWK 0DVWHU RI 3XEOLF +HDOWK 03+ SURJUDP ZKLFK HQDEOHG KHU WR earn a bachelor’s degree in international health from Bethel 8QLYHUVLW\ DQG DQ 03+ IURP ,QGLDQD :HVOH\DQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ MXVW ƃYH \HDUV :KLWH KDV ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH 6W -RVHSK &RXQW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI +HDOWK IRU WKUHH \HDUV +RZHYHU VKH PRYHG LQWR KHU FXUUHQW UROH ZKHQ WKH 8QLW RI +HDOWK (TXLW\ (SLGHPLRORJ\ DQG 'DWD ZDV created in July 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 6LQFH WKHQ :KLWH DQG KHU WHDP KDYH IRFXVHG RQ FROOHFWLQJ DQG managing data from positive COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, and have been working with state and local partners to provide a data-driven response to COVID-19. Ţ:H ZRUNHG FORVHO\ ZLWK QXUVLQJ KRPHV DQG VFKRRO V\VWHPV SURYLGLQJ JXLGDQFH DURXQG FRQWDFW WUDFLQJ ţ H[SODLQV :KLWH whose role also includes providing data for community updates and ensuring a fair distribution of vaccinations. Ţ:H ORRN DW ZKR LQ WKH FRPPXQLW\ LV JHWWLQJ YDFFLQDWHG DQG ZKHUH WKH JDSV DUH VR WKDW ZH FDQ PDNH VXUH LW LV HTXLWDEOH ţ VKH VD\V :KLWH H[SODLQV WKDW KHU WHDP LV DOVR ŢSDUWQHULQJ ZLWK WKH RXWUHDFK GHSDUWPHQW WR DGGUHVV YDFFLQH KHVLWDQF\ ţ E\ PDNLQJ VXUH QHHGHG information is reaching everyone in the community. :KLWH ZDV DEOH WR JHW VRPH KDQGV RQ H[SHULHQFH DV D VWXGHQW LQ WKH SURJUDP E\ ZRUNLQJ IRU WKH 6W -RVHSK &RXQW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI +HDOWK ZKLOH FRPSOHWLQJ KHU PDVWHUŠV RQOLQH EXW WKH SDQGHPLF JDYH KHU DGGLWLRQDO ŢUHDO OLIH H[SHULHQFH WKDW \RX QHYHU JHW IURP D WH[WERRN RU FDVH VWXGLHV ţ VKH VD\V :KLWH H[SODLQV Ţ7KLV SDQGHPLF DOORZHG WKH VSDFH WR OHDUQ YHU\ quickly) how to work with real-time data to ensure we as the 'HSDUWPHQW RI +HDOWK DUH PDNLQJ GDWD GULYHQ GHFLVLRQV WR KHOS SURWHFW RXU FRPPXQLWLHV ţ 'HVSLWH WKH GLƅFXOWLHV FDXVHG E\ WKH SDQGHPLF :KLWH VD\V KHU personal journey at Bethel has helped her in her career. Ţ, VWLOO KDYH IULHQGV DQG PHQWRUV WR WKLV GD\ IURP %HWKHO DQG WKDW helped shape me into who I am ... This [foundation] gave me the DELOLW\ WR KDYH FRQƃGHQFH DQG IDLWK WR PRYH IRUZDUG LQ P\ ZRUN ţ she says. One such mentor was Cassie May, Ph.D., former assistant professor of biology, who taught an epidemiology course while :KLWH ZDV D VWXGHQW DQG SURYLGHG JXLGDQFH IRU SXUVXLQJ D FDUHHU LQ HSLGHPLRORJ\ 1RZ :KLWH IDFHV WKH QHZ DQG FKDQJLQJ requirements the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to that career by falling back on the academic and spiritual growth she experienced as a student. Ţ7KLV SDQGHPLF KDV EURXJKW XQFHUWDLQW\ DQG IHDU DFURVV WKH globe, but my education and faith instilled in me to trust science DQG KDYH KRSH LQ *RG ţ VKH VD\V BY &.*-9 0-*7&3 e 23