Kristen Tharaldson
About Kristen Tharaldson
Kristen Tharaldson serves as a Senior State Planner at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she coordinates the SagePlus and WISEWOMAN programs, focusing on cancer and heart screening initiatives. With a background in policy analysis and community health education, she has held various roles in health-related organizations since 2000.
Work at Minnesota Department of Health
Kristen Tharaldson currently serves as a Senior State Planner at the Minnesota Department of Health, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she coordinates the SagePlus and WISEWOMAN programs, which focus on cancer and heart screening initiatives. Her responsibilities include engaging in program development, project management, and facilitating work groups to enhance community health education. Tharaldson's work emphasizes health equity and social justice, reflecting her commitment to improving health outcomes for diverse populations.
Previous Experience at Minnesota Department of Health
Before her current role, Kristen Tharaldson worked at the Office of Rural Health & Primary Care within the Minnesota Department of Health as a Senior State Planner from 2004 to 2014. During her ten years in this position, she gained extensive experience in policy analysis and grant-related activities, which included both writing and reviewing grants. This background has contributed to her effectiveness in her current role and her ability to manage health programs.
Education and Expertise
Kristen Tharaldson holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Minnesota, where she studied Community Health Education from 2000 to 2002. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology and Philosophy from the College of St. Catherine, completing her studies from 1991 to 1995. Tharaldson's educational background provides her with a solid foundation in health education and policy, which she applies in her professional roles.
Work History at University of Minnesota
Kristen Tharaldson has held multiple positions at the University of Minnesota. She worked as a Research Assistant in the University of Minnesota Law School from 2000 to 2001 and as a Teaching Assistant in the School of Public Health from 2001 to 2002. These roles allowed her to develop research and teaching skills, further enhancing her expertise in public health and education.
Role at Honor the Earth
From 2018 to 2019, Kristen Tharaldson served as a Special Projects Associate/Executive Assistant at Honor the Earth in Callaway, Minnesota. In this role, she contributed to various projects aimed at promoting environmental and social justice, aligning with her commitment to community health and equity.