Vanessa Cummings, MPH, MCHES©, currently works as a Health Educator for the Health and Racial Equity Unit’s at Sacramento County Public Health. She supports the efforts of the unit by (internal and external) education and outreach to advance racial equity. Originally from San Diego, CA, Vanessa is a first-generation college grad, attaining her MPH from Cal State, Northridge. Vanessa’s observational nature and upbringing in a diverse border city created an immense passion for making a difference for others, and when she discovered public health, it served as the avenue for her purpose.
Initially she began educating patients with various chronic conditions at a private medical clinic in Lancaster, California. Ten years later, she has a variety of experience providing health education for several local health departments (in Tennessee and California). In addition, and at the rural level, Vanessa has overseen various health education programs like California’s Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (CTCP) as well as SNAP-Ed (CalFresh Healthy Living). Vanessa has experience and a special sweet spot for the hospitality industry and national parks since she spent a few Summers and Winters working in Yellowstone National Park. In her off time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her dogs, reading, listening to music, or exploring the outdoors!
“As a health educator, I believe it is my duty to share accurate and culturally relevant health information so that ALL individuals can make the best decisions for themselves.”