Janelle Peralez

Janelle Peralez is from Billings, Montana. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. In 2003, she earned a master's degree in Public Health Nutrition from the U of M School of Public Health.

Peralez now works at the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support where she is in her final year of a 3-year service and training program sponsored by the CDC. At the Department, Peralez is the interim coordinator for the Steps to a Healthier Minneapolis Program. She is working to reduce the burden of diabetes, obesity and asthma by targeting the related risk factors of nutrition, physical activity and tobacco use. Peralez is also working on the Maternal Case Management Excellence Project, which strives to improve perinatal case management systems. She describes herself as ambitious, spirited, open-minded, responsible, and sensible.

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How did you learn about the field of public health and what attracted you to it?
I learned about the field of public health while taking nutrition courses as an undergraduate. Policy level initiatives that focused on nutrition piqued my interest.

What do you find most challenging in your work?
I think the uncertainty of public health dollars is the most challenging part of the work. Programs usually only last as long as the grant funding does.

Is there a particular health issue or community you enjoy working with?
I enjoy working with families, especially families of color, on nutrition. Good nutrition and eating healthy is important for the entire family and not just one or two members.

Is there anything you wish you had studied in school or done in school but didn't?
I would have taken more cultural studies courses.

If you had one piece of advice to share with someone thinking about a career in public health, what would it be?
Public health offers a great opportunity to work on health issues and help populations that can't always speak for themselves.

What's the biggest lesson you learned during your time in school, or your first year in the job?
You have to ask questions and express your desires. Others won't always know what your needs are and you have to ask questions like, “I'm interested in this type of opportunity, what is available?” or “I'd like to do this but don't know how, can you help me?” I took a public health elective that allowed me to spend six weeks in Cuba. I had to petition out of classes and look for funding. Nobody else was going to tell me that I should do this. I had to figure it out myself, and then ask questions necessary to make it happen.

Who are some of your mentors?
People with whom I work, my grad school advisor, co-workers at the CDC and my aunt.

If you could predict the future, what do you think is going to influence the public's health most significantly and why?
Policy has the greatest ability to affect the most people.

If you could leave an indelible imprint on the field of public health, what would it be?
I would make sure health needs are met within all of our communities.