Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Alumni

Monica L. RasmusMonica L. Rasmus, BS, MEd, MPH

Doctoral Candidate, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health

 

Area of work: Adjunct Professor

Presently, Monica is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas Health Science Center SPH at Houston. She has various experiences in public health and health related fields.

Monica's major focus is health policy, law and ethics. Socioeconomics and Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness are also areas of experience and study. Since 1992, she has been an elected official on a municipal utility board, serving as president the last eleven years. Her board's charge: protect the public's health by delivering safe and potable water.

As an adjunct Biology professor for the University of Houston-Downtown, public health issues are incorporated into Monica's curriculum. She believes our health plays an integral role in the ability to pursue life, liberty and happiness. In 2002, Monica was the Coordinator for the Bioterrorism Task Force for Fort Bend County for the state of Texas. The charge was to implement the necessary activities to satisfy the bioterrorism grant deliverables while better preparing the County for emergency situations.

Monica holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology ( Baylor University ), a Master of Education ( University of Houston ), and a Master of Public Health (UT School of Public Health).

Personal Information:

I am the daughter of Atty. Moncie Rasmus, Jr., and Mrs. Mary S. Payton, parents to whom I am eternally grateful for their investing of themselves in me. As a result, I love to spend time with them, laughing, conversing and soaking up their wisdom. Spending time with my brothers, sister, nieces, nephew, and brothers and sisters in Christ are enjoyable and invaluable times. Being an integral part of my niece, Ariel's life is an adventure. My goal is to impart to her what was given me, so that one day, she too may soar!

Other fun and enjoyable uses of my time are reading, watching television, engaging in stimulating conversations, being involved in community activities, and dining out. Since learning of Jesus Christ is my first passion, Bible study in small settings is priceless!

What I would like to get out of this program:

My expectations are to soak up as much knowledge as possible by fully engaging in all the Fellowship has to offer: the experts, the other fellows, the projects and the camaraderie. The Bible says, "iron sharpens iron." I believe I will be in the midst of a plethora of iron! In the end, my goal is to be better equipped to lead in bringing solutions and betterment in protecting the health of the public.