When Everything You Built Feels Gone: My Year After HHS

One year ago today, I was impacted by the federal layoffs at HHS.. (feels crazy to even type that)

It was a year filled with doubt, imposter syndrome, sadness, and the harsh reality that so much of what I had worked for, built, and sacrificed felt inadequate, unimportant, and erased in a matter of months.

Looking back, that painful moment became a defining pivot.

Over the past year, I built with intention.

I expanded my voice in public health, I deepened my work in health equity and Black women’s health, I stepped fully into leadership through speaking, teaching, and entrepreneurship... and I KNOW I’m not the only one who has had to rethink what stability, leadership, and impact really look like in this field...

Here’s what this past year made crystal clear..Impact isn’t defined by institutions, jobs, titles or any of that.. It’s defined by how you truly show up, what you build and how you make people feel..

As we step into April and National Public Health Week, I’ll be sharing more about what it really looks like to lead and build in public health beyond traditional spaces.

Year one was about recalibration but Year two is about scale....

Thank you to everyone who has stuck around for the ride and continued to support me and my work. For those who are still searching, you are not alone, there is no race, there is no such thing as perfect! This life is truly a marathon, and every step matters.

If you've ever experienced a career pivot, I want to hear your story. Share what you've learned, how you grew, & how you're stepping differently today. Let's turn these pivots into action, setbacks into momentum and continue to build impact together..

Xoxo

Dr. R