Meet the Team
Jenna Olson (she/her)
Public Health Communications Coordinator
As a former High School English teacher, I’ve long believed in the transformative power of a good story. I’m passionate about sharing the work of public health through engaging and evidence-based methods, like storytelling. I have a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota (2008), a teaching license from Hamline University (2011), and a New 2 Public Health Residency Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024). I live in Grand Marais. In my free time, find me wandering the woods with my partner and two kids, tending my flock of chickens, pampering house plants, and reading speculative fiction.
Stephany Medina (she/her)
Project Manager and Public Health Planner
Hello readers! I’m Stephany. I studied Exercise Physiology at the College of St. Scholastica and went on to get a Master of Public Health degree from South Dakota State University. I’ve had the pleasure of working across a variety of roles within the field of public health including supporting the Community Health Needs Assessment process at a local hospital, opioid prevention as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, I served as a Health Educator within local public health, worked with a great team of public health professionals responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and served as a Community Health Coordinator for a statewide food bank.
In my current role, I get to work alongside so many talented public health professionals and learn about the amazing work you all are doing. As a Program Manager and Public Health Planner for our regional Infrastructure grant, I support our regional system in implementing the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities framework. (Not familiar? Don’t worry, we’ll cover this in the blog!).
I live with my husband, Tyler, in Superior, WI and enjoy taking my dogs (Louis & Riley) on adventures. Outside of work, you may find me at the lake or coaching St. Scholastica’s women’s rugby team.
Thanks for checking out our blog! I hope you get some new ideas from it, and share your ideas with us along the way.
Anne Graves (she/her)
Project Manager
Hi! I'm Anne. I am a contracted project manager, and I work primarily on projects that fall within the capabilities of Foundational Public Health Responsibilities and span the work of the Public Health Division at St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services. I also support work across the four-county region.
I have two bachelor's degrees, one in Broad Field Science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the other in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica. I also have a Master of Health Informatics from the University of Minnesota. I love learning! I started my career at St. Louis County as a public health nurse, focusing on maternal-child health. I then spent a few years as a supervisor supporting maternal-child health programs and informatics projects. After a brief hiatus to stay home with my boys, I spent some time working in Health IT. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I felt a calling to return to public health – to put those many years of pandemic preparedness training into action - so I spent two years supporting local public health efforts as an infection prevention and control nurse. Thankfully, the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, and I moved into my current role in 2022.
I live in Hermantown, MN, with my husband, Zach, my two adventurous boys, Chase (16) and Andrew (12), two dogs, Boone and Griff, and two cats, Spike and Snoopy. I love summer and enjoy traveling, hiking, and listening to podcasts (looking for an excellent public health podcast? Check out America Disected!). Fun fact about me? I have given over 10,000 vaccines during my career as a public health nurse!
Mary Parsatoon (she/her)
Public Health Planner
Welcome to the Infra Blog! I’m Mary Parsatoon. I studied Public Health and International Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I then went on to receive a Masters of public health from the University of South Dakota. My public health background includes conducting research on food insecurity and drug addiction through the University of Minnesota and serving in Public Health AmeriCorps. My current position is Public Health Planner for the Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board.
I am passionate about increasing access to local and nutritious food and pursued this through working at the UMD farm and conducting research on food insecurity in Duluth. In my current role, I get to further this passion while also being able to learn and become invested in other public health topic areas.
I live in Duluth, MN, and enjoy cooking, gardening, and traveling. My photo takes place in Lutsen, Minnesota located in Cook County and is my top recommended spot to see the fall leaves on the North Shore.
Feedback about the blog? Ideas for future blog posts? Want to guest write a post with us? Send us an email!