The Future of Health is Together - Alyssa Bedard

Why did you choose your career path?​

I am blessed to be among the few young professionals that walks within my truest purpose in life. I did not choose this path, the Universe chose it for me and I have fully accepted that I have a responsibility to carry out within the world of Maternal & Child Health. I am passionate about changing the fundamental public health & health inequalities issues effecting women, children and families around the world. Maternal and Child health is the foundation of life, and because of that, it’s my deepest desire to make progression forward. In terms of education and speaking, it was written. My testimony is powerful and transcends through generations. I am an educator and speaker because I want to change lives! I want to rewire generational mindsets and legacies by pouring into the lives of those around me.

What is the best advice you give?​

The greatest piece of advice that I’d give to young health professionals is to network and find a mentor! I believe that mentorship has the power to transform lives both personally and professionally. Often times, having a mentor offers guidance, advise, encouragement, exposure, connections, visibility and the opportunity to learn from previous mistakes. While failure, at times, can provide significant learning experiences, adopting previously learned values and lessons from a mentor can contribute to our overall success. Having a professional mentor has really helped me navigate through my role in public health and academia. 

What does your daily routine look like?​

As a single mom with many professional roles, mastering a career while being present for all of the field trips and extracurricular activities can make it challenging to find balance. No matter how busy my daily routine is, I always begin my morning in prayer and meditation. I don’t consider myself to be particularly disciplined because my schedule is constantly changing depending on classes, births and speaking engagements- However, prayer and meditation are always my constant. My day then continues with making lunches (mostly meal prepped) and dropping my daughter off at school. This is my favorite part of my day, every single day. As a child, I too grew up in a single parent home and had to take the bus to and from school. Having the flexibility to drop my daughter off is a blessing and gives us an audience of quality talk-time that most other parents of middle school aged children don’t receive. I then go to work within the Teen Parenting Program, facilitating professional development, strategic planning efforts and collaborative community projects aimed to support parenting teens. I’m additionally responsible for providing education, support and the resources needed to encourage timely steps toward graduation and higher education. If one of my Breathing through Life Doula clients is in labor, I attend their birth, all while organizing speaking engagements and teaching for the college online. Add some track & softball practice in with daily gym sessions, and that pretty much sums up my daily routine, whew!  

What organizations do you admire and why?​

Within the realm of Public Health I’ve always admired the CDC and NIH for all of their continued efforts and funding to support local health initiatives, specifically within maternal and child health. I am deeply moved by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance which is a movement that envisions a world where Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during and after pregnancy. Additionally, I respect and honor all of the minority health work that Midwife Jennie Joseph has successfully contributed with her JJWay framework. 10. Who are your mentors and/or people you follow?


What are the biggest challenges you see in healthcare?

I am constantly reminded of the challenges occurring from ALL of the Determinants of Health and how they affect overall health access and health care for marginalized populations.

Unconscious bias and racism co-exist with systemically flawed health care options that contribute to health inequality and disparities. The lack of affordable and accessible preventative health care is still killing people today. Women are disregarded.  Black and Brown moms and babies are dying at significantly higher rates that their counterparts, from avoidable circumstances.  

Where have you traveled and where do you have plans to travel (and what have you learned from those places)?
      
I have traveled to Europe (Paris, Switzerland, Germany), Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mia, Phuket), Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and many of the States here at home. Every time I travel I am always reminded of the following ideas that make me even more passionate about my purpose and mission: 

1. Health is life!
​I believe in a holistic approach to health and wellness. Food is our medicine and mediations is the cure! I’ve learned that health is culture- everyone just practices it in a different way with different tools and resources.  

2. Women’s Health need to be made a priority!​
Human dignity, respect and equality belong to everyone- including women! Around the world, girls and women are discriminated against in so many ways- gendercide, hypersexualization, unequal health treatments, trafficking, and denied safe delivery plans- disparities and inadequacies of all kinds. Changes need to be implemented, and I’m here for it.

3. I am blessed!​
While there are a million aspects of health to revise and rebuild, I am blessed. I am awarded the opportunity every single day to impact lives and change perspectives.