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Three Burning Questions – Patel Adams, LA County
Meet Patel. Promoting health equity and the work of DIS in Los Angeles County. Go Patel!
What do you love most about working in STD prevention?
Patel Adams, LA County
From boots on the ground, to assessing workforce competency of the Public Health Investigators (PHIs), I enjoy serving the needs of the community. I feel a sense of self-worth working in and assisting communities that are disenfranchised and plagued with health inequities.
In Los Angeles County, we have a huge disparity in access to care, so when we interface with clients, I want to be certain that our PHIs have the knowledge, skills and abilities to empower clients to make positive change in their social sexual behaviors. Hence, improving disease intervention and decreasing morbidity. That’s the most gratifying!
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our field?
Of course funding is the biggest challenge. Funding or the lack thereof affects every aspect of what we do, from services, staffing, and education. However, in my opinion, I believe locally our biggest challenge is competing priorities within our local jurisdiction. Los Angeles is vast, with various communities with differing needs in STD prevention. Various communities have different issues/concerns, and there is no “one pill for all” solution to addressing the problems throughout Los Angeles County. I believe specific communities should have their own personal partnership that specifically focuses on resources for “their needs” where we can tailor services for them.
When you’re not working, what’s your favorite thing to do with your free time?
I enjoy travelling and spending time with family and great friends. I believe in living in the moment because tomorrow isn’t promised, therefore, I cherish the time I spend with loved ones. Anything else, is just extra blessings that have been bestowed upon me.
Meet Patel
Patel Adams is a Public Health Investigation Manager (PHIM) for the Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health – Public Health Investigation (PHI) Division. Patel joined PHI in April 1988 as a PHI working in South Los Angeles as a DIS worker. A year later, she transferred to become a “district PHI” where duties of a PHI entailed facilitation of the examination and treatment of disease suspects and communicable partners; enforcement activities related to federal, state, and county health laws, codes and ordinances; and service as Custodian of Records for Public Health business and confidential records.
Currently, some of Patel’s responsibilities include providing technical direction and coordination of PHI services in Community Health Service Planning Areas (SPAs). In this capacity she develops and directs planning, implementation and evaluation of PHI Practice activities and ensure that PHI enforcement activities conform to applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. Patel also assists in the planning and development of goals, policies, procedures, and participates in the development and implementation of quality assurance activities to monitor PHI Practice.