About an hour’s ferry ride from Seattle, alumna Sarah Henley grew up in Silverdale, Wash. She first set out to obtain her certification as a health education specialist and a registered respiratory therapist as a neonatal/pediatric specialist. But Henley said she couldn’t help but notice a pattern while she was on the job.
“After working in bedside respiratory therapy for many years and volunteering in emergency management, I noticed the same patients kept returning to the ER with the same preventable issues,” Henley said. “I realized these were systemic problems I couldn't solve at the bedside and I was just a “band-aid”.
Henley wanted to address the root causes and not just treat the symptoms, which is what she said drew her to public health.
“I love the focus on prevention, advocacy and addressing health inequities at the community level,” she said. “It's about creating systems and environments where everyone has the opportunity to live healthy lives, regardless of their zip code or background. Public health tackles the causes of disease and promotes health equity, ensuring that everyone, not just the privileged few, has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
Recognizing how perfectly the degree aligned with her interests in blending public health and emergency management, Henley said it was an undergraduate faculty advisor who recommended the COPH program.
“He was absolutely right,” she said. “I'm incredibly glad I pursued this degree. The program made me a more well-rounded practitioner and educator.”
During her time as a student, Henley worked full-time at the local health district during the height of COVID-19, managing the county's COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
“It felt like policies and procedures changed daily, and we had to navigate this constantly-shifting landscape while keeping our volunteers calm and confident through the chaos,” she said.
Sarah Henley in full PPE while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Henley)
While balancing her work-related responsibilities, Henley was most proud of being inducted into the . She credits , her COPH faculty advisor and associate professor, as a profound inspiration. “She challenged me to think more deeply and push myself beyond what I thought possible. More importantly, she believed in me even when I doubted my own abilities,” Henley said.
Henley graduated in 2024 with her , concentration in global disaster management, humanitarian relief and homeland security along with a graduate certificate in .
“Flying to Tampa to walk across the stage at graduation was an unforgettable moment. I still keep in touch with several of my classmates,” she added.
Currently, Henley serves as program chair and professor for the community health professional bachelor of applied science program at Tacoma Community College.
“I teach bachelor-level students in both first- and second-year cohorts, serve as their faculty advisor and oversee the daily operations of the program,” she said. “I've always loved teaching. Throughout my previous positions, I conducted extensive community education. This opportunity allowed me to take that passion to the next level.”
Henley said the best part of her job is the opportunity to mentor students and watch them develop into confident public health professionals.
“Every day, I get to blend my passion for education with my commitment to health equity and emergency preparedness. Being able to design accessible, engaging curricula that prepares students for real-world challenges is incredibly fulfilling. Plus, building partnerships with tribal communities and local organizations allows me to stay connected to the community work that drew me to public health in the first place.”
Sarah Henley (right) recently taught a course on campus with her friend Cherrie May from the Suquamish Tribe, who is an emergency manager. (Photo courtesy of Henley)
Henley said she continues to use what she learned at the COPH to this day. And, points out that the COPH gave her a strong foundation in emergency preparedness and health systems thinking.
“I apply disaster management principles in my disaster preparedness course. The emphasis on health equity and social determinants of health shapes how I approach every class I teach.”
But she said the most fulfilling part of her work is the opportunity to connect students with communities in ways that foster real world experience and advance health equity.
“Creating pathways for students to engage authentically with various communities has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.
For the future, Henley sees herself continuing to expand partnerships between her program and community organizations.
“I'd like to see our program become a model for how community health education can center equity and accessibility, particularly with tribal nations and underserved communities,” she said. “I also hope to continue to grow as an educator who empowers the next generation of public health leaders.”
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
An astronaut or marine biologist
Where would we find you on the weekend?
Curled up with a good book or playing pinball at the local arcade
What is the last book you read?
“The Atlantis Gene” by A.G. Riddle
What superpower would you like to have?
The ability to fly
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) or Jaws