Meet Amani Alam (21BA), a passionate public health professional making a difference in Rice County, Minnesota! As a Health Educator and Statewide Health Improvement Coordinator, Amani leads community-driven initiatives focused on active living, healthy eating, tobacco-free living, and mental well-being.

We recently caught up with Amani and asked a few questions about her work and what she finds most rewarding about her public health career.

Amani Alam         

21BA

Current City, State: Faribault, Minnesota

What is your current job title and employer?

Health Educator / Statewide Health Improvement Coordinator (SHIP) at Rice County Public Health

Tell us about the type of work you do, or what a typical day is like.

I work to oversee the SHIP grant which focuses on data and community-driven health initiatives focused on active living, healthy eating, tobacco-free living, and mental well-being. I provide technical assistance and grant funding opportunities to community partners and organizations to implement sustainable policy, systems, and environmental changes. Every day looks vastly different! From grant reporting to meetings with community partners, health education at outreach events, and conducting community trainings. 

What do you find most rewarding about your public health work?

Getting to work with various community members and organizations from diverse backgrounds and providing partnerships and funding opportunities for community-driven health initiatives.

What made you choose a career in public health, or how did you find yourself on this career path?

I have always had a drive to help others and valued the importance of prevention. I didn’t know exactly where public health would take me, but I love being able to learn so much, from grant reporting to expanding my customer service and teaching skills!

What attributes of your public health education prepared you for success in your career?

Learning the various frameworks, social determinants of health, and how vast public health can be! This helped expand my thinking and apply my knowledge in different ways. 

What is your favorite memory of your time at Iowa?

Spending time on the beautiful campus near the river and being a short walking distance to amazing restaurants and always having fun things to do.