About me

 

  • Two years into the pandemic, healthcare workers are beyond burnt out—they are traumatized, suffering moral distress and mental illness, and they are leaving the profession in droves. Public health workers—grappling with massively increased workloads and public criticism—are experiencing similar crises.

    Public health and healthcare professionals enter this profession out of a deep sense of compassion—to ease the suffering of others. But the systems in place to facilitate this do not operate with the same North Star. Health systems reward efficiency, idolize technology, and prioritize profits over people. Over time, this has created deep fissures in our social contract to keep each other healthy, and the foundation is beginning to crumble.

  • I’m a big thinker. I see the world through a systems perspective. I craft bold visions and bring them into reality through innovative partnerships, breaking down siloed mindsets, and developing systems-level solutions.

    I am passionately focused on transforming public health and healthcare systems to be more human, compassionate, and equity-centered—particularly for those who work in them. My experience in both global and domestic arenas give me the unique strength of being able to work deftly and diplomatically within systems while gently challenging traditionally held views and ways of doing things to allow more people to flourish and thrive.

  • I’ve been in public health for nearly two decades. I’ve worked with local immigrant/refugee communities in the U.S. I’ve led programs in stable, so-called ‘developing’ countries. Strengthened health systems in fragile, conflict-affected settings and refugee camps. Responded to emergency pandemics, like Ebola and COVID-19. Taught, advised, and mentored (future) public health professionals and leaders. I’ve listened to the needs of individuals and communities, met with health officials around the world, and advocated with international bodies. In short, I’ve seen health systems from nearly every angle.

    I earned my MPH from the University of Washington in 2010, with a focus on Social & Behavioral Sciences. I earned by BA in both Anthropology and International Studies from Macalester College in 2003.

 

Hi, I’m Heather.

I believe in human wellness—not healthcare.

To do this, we need to focus on the humans and the relationships in our public health and healthcare systems.

I’ve been in public health for nearly two decades. I’ve worked with local immigrant/refugee communities in the U.S. Worked internationally in stable, so-called ‘developing’ countries. Strengthened health systems in fragile, conflict-affected settings and refugee camps. Responded to emergency pandemics, like Ebola and COVID-19. Taught, advised, and mentored (future) public health professionals and leaders. I’ve listened to the needs of individuals and communities, met with health officials around the world, and advocated with international bodies.

In short, I’ve seen health systems from nearly every angle.

And what I’ve learned is this: Public health and healthcare professionals enter this profession out of a deep sense of compassion—to ease the suffering of others. But the systems in place to facilitate this do not operate with the same North Star. Health systems reward efficiency, idolize technology, and prioritize profits over people. Over time, this has created deep fissures in our social contract to keep each other healthy, and the foundation is beginning to crumble.

Two years into the pandemic, healthcare workers are beyond burnt out—they are traumatized, suffering moral distress and mental illness, and they are leaving the profession in droves. Public health workers—grappling with massively increased workloads and public criticism—are experiencing similar crises.

For the past 5 years, I have been passionately focused on transforming public health and healthcare systems to be more human, compassionate, and equity-centered—particularly for those who work in them. My experience in both global and domestic arenas give me the unique strength of being able to work deftly and diplomatically within systems while gently challenging traditionally held views and ways of doing things to allow more people to flourish and thrive.

Let’s connect!

heather.buesseler@gmail.com
+1 612.987.0434