Public Health Nurse / Age 35
Outagamie County Public Health
Following her bachelor of science in medical microbiology and immunology from UW-Madison, Stephanie Thiede planned to enter a physician assistant program, applying to about seven schools. She says she was “extremely discouraged” after not being accepted into any of the programs, but she shifted gears and earned a bachelor of science in nursing from UW Oshkosh, which she says led her to the public health world.
“I love what I do and am grateful for how things worked out,” says Thiede, who previously held roles managing an oncology research lab at the University of Wisconsin and as a health officer in Langlade County. “These experiences at such a young age instilled in me qualities that have made me a better collaborator, advocate and decision maker.”
Thiede, who has been in her current role five years, facilitates Outagamie County’s child death review team, bringing together partners from local agencies to brainstorm prevention recommendations and promote systems-level change. She is also gathering local data “and reviewing evidence-based strategies to increase [cancer] screening rates in our community.”
Be sure to visit Insight’s Portraits of Success: 40 Under 40 at The Art Garage in Green Bay from May 30–June 1 to see each honoree’s official 40 Under 40 portrait!
