In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Michelle Dynes about her incredible journey from Waukon, Iowa to being a high credentialed public health researcher in Thailand.  She graduated from my hometown high school, Decorah, Iowa, and my alma mater, Luther College.  We are high school and college classmates!

This was a very fun to do as we explored her journey from Decorah to Yale to Atlanta to Thailand, just north of Bangkok.  She also shares the insight she gained along the way for anyone interested in building such an incredible career as she has done.  We discuss women's maternal health, history of nursing, her career as a midwife (and its true meaning), her career path that led her to get a PhD from Emory University before joining the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, two book recommendations, and one self care recommendation from Dr. Dynes.  

Her story reminded me of the Marcus Aurelius quote about assembling your life "action by action." Just in the middle career, she has already achieved great things, step by step, action by action.  

We also learned that Waukon just may be a hotbed for public health talent as we learned about another top infectious disease researcher, who also hails from Waukon!  You'll have to listen to find out who also hails from Waukon...

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