Tamira Moon, MPH, MCHES®
Award-winning Georgia Department of Public Health Program Director Tamira Moon has participated in more than 20 R-IV PHTC skills-based workshops and webinars on priority health topics since 2012. In this interview with Tamira, we learn about what keeps her coming back and how she has put what she’s gleaned from these trainings into practice.
First, tell us a little about yourself. What are some highlights of your career in public health?
I am a public health philanthropist, with a life purpose to “pay it forward today to make a better tomorrow.” I have an 18-year track record of public health accomplishments that promote healthy lifestyles and chronic disease prevention.
I have been honored by Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40, Young Government Leaders, and most recently by the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus with the Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award as a community leader and top government employee with an impressive track record of achievements that address the second leading cause of death—cancer.
As Program Director for the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, I lead initiatives that focus on cancer survivorship, tobacco-use prevention and the message that HPV vaccination is cancer prevention!
You have a lengthy transcript with the Region IV PHTC! What keeps you coming back to the R-IV PHTC for professional learning?
The convenience of the high quality professional learning opportunities provided by the Region IV PHTC keeps me coming back! As a public health professional who is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, it is a requirement. More importantly, I make a professional commitment to stay abreast of current public health trends. The Regional IV PHTC makes it easy and enjoyable to make this a reality. The in-person and online training opportunities are offered at no cost and keep me on top of my public health game. The topics are fresh and innovative. I also get to connect with competent presenters and new networks.
One of the goals of our program is to help members of the governmental public health be more effective on the job. Can you give an example of how you applied something you learned in a R-IV PHTC training to your work at the Georgia Department of Public Health?
I was asked to facilitate a coalition’s annual board meeting. I reached in my “public health toolbox” and used a resource from the community engagement workshop [I attended in 2017]. This stakeholder analysis tool was an excellent exercise to help the coalition develop their 12-month goals and work plan.
What advice would you give a new public health professional about investing in their own professional development?
Always know you self-worth and continue to invest in your professional growth—even if you have to reach in your own wallet and pay. I select learning opportunities that provide transferable skills that I can add to my “public health toolbox.” I truly appreciate the professional learning opportunities provided by R-IV PHTC and do not take them for granted because not every public health professional has such access. I hope they continue to be offered!