Carolyn Handke
About Carolyn Handke
Carolyn Handke is a Vectorborne Disease Student Worker and COVID-19 Response Team Member at the Minnesota Department of Health. She is pursuing a Master's in Public Health with a focus on Community Health Promotion at the University of Minnesota, where she also completed her undergraduate studies.
Work at Minnesota Department of Health
Carolyn Handke has been employed at the Minnesota Department of Health since 2020, where she serves as a Vectorborne Disease Student Worker and a member of the COVID-19 Response Team. In her role, she has actively participated in initiatives aimed at managing vectorborne diseases and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work contributes to public health efforts in Minnesota, focusing on disease prevention and health promotion.
Education and Expertise
Carolyn Handke studied at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, achieving a degree in Community Health Promotion from 2020 to 2022. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health with a focus on Community Health Promotion at the same university. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Management with a minor in Public Health and Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, completed from 2015 to 2019. She also studied at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where she became a Hormone Health Coach from 2021 to 2022.
Background in Health Insurance
Carolyn Handke has a background in health insurance, which informs her career pursuit in health policy. She has worked as a Health Insurance Coordinator at Fraser since 2019. This role, along with her previous experience as a Wellness Intern at the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, has provided her with insights into health systems and policy development.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current roles, Carolyn Handke worked in various capacities that contributed to her professional development. She served as a Base Camp Guide for Northern Star Scouting, BSA from 2017 to 2018, and as a Fundraiser at the University of Minnesota from 2016 for 11 months. These experiences have equipped her with skills in leadership, communication, and community engagement.
Social Media Coordination at Health Care for All Minnesota
Since 2020, Carolyn Handke has also been working as a Social Media Coordinator for Health Care for All Minnesota. In this role, she utilizes her communication skills to promote health care initiatives and engage with the community through social media platforms. This position complements her public health studies and enhances her understanding of health communication strategies.