Katie Jourdan, MPH, CHES^®

Katie Jourdan grew up in Saranac, Michigan, a small town near the state capital of Lansing.

After high school, Katie attended Central Michigan University knowing only that she wanted a career in which she could help people.

While trying to find her passion, she took a general education class with Dr. Jodi Brookins-Fisher, and instantly fell in love with the field of health education.

Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in public health education/health promotion and Spanish and a minor in nutrition. She pursued her MPH with a focus in health behavior and health education at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.

Her journey is filled with diverse experiences through volunteering and internships in public health including crisis line counselor, health education intern, youth development intern, mentor for teens, and Boys and Girls Club educator.

Katie’s first job as a health educator was with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians near Battle Creek, Michigan, as a nutrition and fitness educator. The tribe gave me a wealth of experience, not only in health education but also in the teachings, traditions, and beliefs of the Potawatomi people. In 2012, I left the tribe to pursue my dream job – working in adolescent health – with District Health Department #10 in Oceana County.

Through Katie’s current position, she has opportunities to work in community education including in-school programming for Oceana schools in the areas of sexual education and substance abuse prevention education.

Her most inspiring work comes as the advisor to an extraordinary group – The Oceana Prevention Partnership for Change (TOPPC) youth committee. The TOPPC youth are a group of high school students from the four high schools in Oceana County working to promote health and prevent risky behaviors among their peers.

She also serves as a facilitator for the adult and youth advisory committees for the Shelby Adolescent Health Center located in Shelby Middle School serving Oceana County residents ages 10-21.

Her other roles include Family Planning and Sexual Health Outreach Lead and Intern Coordinator for all of DHD#10’s 10 counties

Currently, Katie lives in Ludington, Michigan, and spends her free time hiking in Ludington State Park, doing yoga, traveling, and eating donuts (mostly in moderation).

“For me, empowering individuals, particularly teenagers, to take ownership of their health and make the best decisions for themselves is always exhilarating. There will always be a place for health education specialists to provide knowledge and power to their community to take on their own health.”

Katie is a member of the Great Lakes Chapter.