MPH Career Spotlight – Nohemi Sanchez, MPH ’25, ensures safety for community members through standards and education

In her own words:

“The cool thing about this job is that we’re out on the field, and I get to hit different public health aspects such as education – so I’m educating our operators about preventative practices, making sure that they’re washing their hands when they’re cooking, and things like that. I also work with pools, so I get to do some science as well, some chemistry. I take pool samples and check to make sure that the pools are meeting proper chemistry and recirculation systems. We’re also doing some cross-training in different departments with HAZMAT and water quality before I take the Regional Environmental Health exam.”

On what she values most:

“I really enjoy my work with the County of San Diego, especially serving communities like Imperial Beach and San Ysidro. Being able to use my Spanish helps me build trust with operators and share preventative practices in a way that really connects.

My favorite part is building those relationships and helping people succeed. The most challenging part is enforcement—sometimes I have to deliver difficult news or close a facility, and those conversations can be emotional. I’ve learned how to handle those situations with empathy while still upholding public health standards.”

On public health informing connection:

“One thing I really value in my role is being able to give operators practical tools they can use right away. For example, we provide stickers that serve as quick reminders for safe food temperatures—keeping cold foods at 41 degrees or below and hot-held foods at 135 degrees or above.

That kind of support can make a big difference, especially for smaller, mom-and-pop shops that may not have many resources. It feels meaningful to know that you’re helping protect vulnerable populations, including those who are immunocompromised. At the same time, the education we provide during inspections helps operators build better habits and incorporate preventative practices into their daily routines.”

On pivoting to a career in public health:

“I explored a few different paths to figure out where I wanted to go and built relevant experience along the way. I spent about ten years as an educator before transitioning into public health, so I focused on strengthening my resume through research projects and internships that aligned with my interests.

I was a bit unsure about how quickly I’d find a position after graduating, but all of that experience really paid off, and I was fortunate to secure a role soon after.”