I have a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from the University of Mount Olive. I started my career as an Environmental Health Specialist and Preparedness Coordinator at Hertford County Public Health Authority in 2013. After a company merger I now work for Albemarle Regional Health Services strictly doing Environmental Health. I currently hold two authorizations through the state of North Carolina; one in Food, Lodging, and Institutions - the other in Child Care Sanitation. It is my duty to protect the public's health through regular risk-based inspections, complaint follow-ups, educating, and regulating owners and operators of facilities. I take pride in my job, and I use my knowledge to help educate establishment owners, administrators, and managers on the most up to date public health information as well as enforcing and regulating state laws. I see my job as a chance to not only protect our community but also a way to foster education through teaching these food service managers and employees lessons about food safety. I am a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. I am also a member of the Epidemiology Team and a part of the Northeastern Environmental Health District. I am also certified in ServSafe that allows me to teach and proctor exams. I have also been trained to conduct Respiratory Fit Testing (N95s).I chose to start my career at a small agency so that i could dabble, wear multiple hats, and learn many facets of public health that a large agency may not have allowed. I am thankful for starting where I did because I have been exposed to so many different sectors of Public Health. Public Health is not about "thank yous," because so rarely do we get the appreciation we deserve, it is about doing the greater good for our community's health, and that is something I am proud to be a part of.