{"id":5966,"date":"2021-03-09T15:13:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T21:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&#038;p=5966"},"modified":"2021-03-09T15:13:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T21:13:26","slug":"uw-eau-claire-nursing-alumna-recognized-for-work-in-public-health","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/uw-eau-claire-nursing-alumna-recognized-for-work-in-public-health\/","title":{"rendered":"UW-Eau Claire nursing alumna recognized for work in public health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/DK8TCPjHB64\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Selfless and devoted individuals stepped forward in 2020 with heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a continuous source of hope during such difficult times.<\/p>\n<p>Among the devoted public servants was Blugold nursing alumna Jennifer Rombalski, who was honored as Person of the Year by the La Crosse Tribune for her work as the director of the La Crosse County Health Department.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lacrossetribune.com\/news\/local\/watch-now-la-crosse-tribune-2020-person-of-the-year-jen-rombalski\/article_9ea33fb2-e269-5e03-801b-de6ad5c2223f.html#:~:text=La%20Crosse%20County%20Health%20Department%20Director,%20Jen%20Rombalski,,a%20highly%20infectious%20disease%20that%20permeated%20the%20globe.\">Tribune\u2019s announcement<\/a>\u00a0in January cited Rombalski\u2019s \u201cdrive, dedication and refusal to do anything less than her best\u201d in leading the county through the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that her name brought in an overwhelming majority of nominations for the region\u2019s annual recognition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m truly honored, and so grateful that people have recognized the hard work of our health department,\u201d the 2001 nursing graduate said. \u201cIt\u2019s not really\u00a0<em>me\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 I just happen to lead a unit of really hard-working, dedicated people.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5975\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5975\" style=\"width: 225px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5975\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna_JenniferRombalski-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Jennifer Rombalski, director of the Office of Policy and Practice Alignment at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services\u2019 Division of Public Health. Photo credit: Jodee Zander\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna_JenniferRombalski-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna_JenniferRombalski.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5975\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jennifer Rombalski, director of the Office of Policy and Practice Alignment at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services\u2019 Division of Public Health. Photo credit: Jodee Zander<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201dRombalski\u2019s leadership skills didn\u2019t go unnoticed as she has since accepted a new position as the director of the Office of Policy and Practice Alignment at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services\u2019 Division of Public Health. Among its many responsibilities, the office coordinates the State Health Plan and oversees the state\u2019s five regional offices supporting local-level public health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith more than 17 years in local public health, I am excited to have the opportunity to bring my local experiences and a local voice to the senior leadership table in the state health department,\u201d said Rombalski, who is keenly aware of the essential relationships between state and local agencies, especially in matters of public health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA strong connection between the state and local health departments is critical for maximum success in improving health for residents across Wisconsin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rombalski, who earned a master\u2019s degree in public health administration from the University of Minnesota in 2016, spent the last five years in La Crosse County, and 17 years total in public health.<\/p>\n<p>Her first job as a Blugold graduate, however, was as a registered nurse at St. Paul\u2019s Gillette Children\u2019s Specialty Healthcare. It was on that same brain and spinal cord injury rehab floor, while still a Blugold student technician, that Rombalski solidified her passion for prevention and public health care.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a nurse technician before starting there as an RN, I had one particular patient, a 6-year-old boy, who had a tremendous impact on me,\u201d Rombalski recalled. \u201cHe he was riding in the front seat when he and his grandmother were in an automobile accident which caused a spinal cord injury that left him ventilator-dependent for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was so terribly sad, but also very motivating to me,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew from then on that prevention was going to be my true passion as a nurse.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Early public health roles<\/h3>\n<p>In 2004, Rombalski accepted her first position in the public health field, a part-time job as a county public health nurse in Buffalo County, southwest of Eau Claire.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough it was a pretty major cut in pay, I was willing to take it as a way to enter the field I felt such conviction for,\u201d she said. \u201cWithin two years I became a health officer and then spent eight years there as the public health supervisor for the county.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was during that time as the public health supervisor that Rombalski was able to reconnect with the UW-Eau Claire nursing faculty to help establish a clinical program in 2010-11 that would bring senior nursing students to dairy farms to provide basic health care and preventative services to migrant workers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5978\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5978\" style=\"width: 225px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Peck-Sue-2012-43-three-four-portrait-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Dr. Susan Peck, professor emerita and integrative nurse practitioner at the Health Office Co. in Eau Claire\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Peck-Sue-2012-43-three-four-portrait-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Peck-Sue-2012-43-three-four-portrait.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5978\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. Susan Peck, professor emerita and integrative nurse practitioner at the Health Office Co. in Eau Claire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dr. Susan Peck, professor emerita of nursing and integrative nurse practitioner in Eau Claire, was looking at that time for a way for nursing students with Spanish fluency to incorporate those skills in their pre-service training. She had been Rombalski\u2019s faculty advisor at UW-Eau Claire and knew that Rombalski was working at the Buffalo County Health Department.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew that students with a Spanish language minor would benefit from being able to use the language directly in their nursing practice if they just had a place to practice the two together,\u201d Peck said. \u201cJennifer understood the need for migrant workers to receive public health care services and education; she knew some of the area farm owners as well as a local resident who was already working with the farms as an interpreter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Health Care for Immigrant and Local Farmers Clinical Immersion Program established at that time continues today under the direction of Dr. Lisa Schiller, associate professor of nursing and director of graduate programs in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have included more than 100 nursing students and seen over 500 unique individuals. It is a model program and has been featured in many agricultural magazines and newspapers, and presented at many regional, national and international conferences,\u201d Schiller said.<\/p>\n<h3>Rural Wisconsin roots serve the job well<\/h3>\n<p>A native of the Eleva-Strum area, Rombalski has lived most of her life in west-central Wisconsin, commuting to jobs in Alma, Baldwin, Chippewa Falls, St. Paul and La Crosse, and has been grateful for the opportunity to give back to both rural and urban communities through public health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is home, this is where we want to give back,\u201d she says about her family\u2019s life in rural Trempealeau County, pointing out that public health concerns do not differ that much between rural and city life.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are at-risk populations in both rural and urban areas. The role of public health is to make sure that all populations in our communities have the same opportunity to achieve a healthy life,\u201d she said. \u201cWhether discrepancies in access are based in race, location or finances, we use the data to identify inequities and to create a health plan that can improve communities through better access.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rombalski also has learned creative ways to bridge cultural differences when they are making an impact on public health, sparked in part by community outreach she conducted as a Blugold student in what was then the Reading Partners Program with at-risk K-12 students in Eau Claire schools.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA fellow nursing student and I had the opportunity to work with a young Hmong student in their home,\u201d she recalled. \u201cIt was so humbling and eye-opening to learn more about their culture and to feel the deep gratitude of the family for the homework help and language assistance we were able to provide.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn La Crosse, our department collaborated with UW-La Crosse students to advise the health department in ways to better engage with young people of color in the area, seeking specific ways to improve access to health care in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Understanding and appreciating the cultural differences in all populations is an aspect of her work that Rombalski holds as sacred in her commitment to public service.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re all in this world together,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have to work with and for one another to maintain a healthy community.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Key mentor in nursing leadership<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"right storyimage\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5979\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5979\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5979\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Dr.CeCelia-Zornfour-three-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Dr. CeCelia Zorn, professor emerita, who remains engaged with campus and published a book in 2010 titled &quot;Becoming a Nurse Educator: Dialogue for an Engaging Career.&quot;\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Dr.CeCelia-Zornfour-three-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2021\/03\/EAU_nursing-alumna-story_Dr.CeCelia-Zornfour-three.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5979\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. CeCelia Zorn, professor emerita, remains engaged with campus and published a book in 2010 titled &#8220;Becoming a Nurse Educator: Dialogue for an Engaging Career.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While Rombalski does cite previous supervisors in nursing and public health positions, civic leaders in partnering agencies and her parents\u2019 examples of admirable leadership, she names Dr. CeCelia Zorn, professor emerita of nursing, as a primary source of inspiration in terms of leadership.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would raise up CeCelia Zorn as one of the people I truly looked up to and admired,\u201d Rombalski said. \u201cShe showed such professionalism in her approach to all things, from how she taught to how she communicated. That is one faculty connection I made that really stands out; as a role model, she had a big impact on me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Zorn, who retired from UW-Eau Claire in 2012, holds similarly fond memories of Rombalski as a student, recalling a young woman who she says was always a leader.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA strong advocate for patients, even as a student, Jennifer trusted her findings and her judgment in seeking patient treatment. This reflected a sense of maturity and confidence far beyond the level of a beginning professional,\u201d Zorn said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a graduating senior, Jennifer demonstrated keen self-appraisal skills \u2014 she saw herself clearly and\u00a0honestly, and she used this information to support her own growth,\u201d Zorn recalled. \u201cJennifer&#8217;s roots grew wide and deep. I wanted to learn more from her then and still do now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Attributes that Peck recognized in Rombalski over a decade ago are factors that have been key in bringing her to this new role at state-level leadership in public health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJennifer has an appreciation for the big picture. When you can see the bigger picture and work with partners to implement details, you make things happen,\u201d Peck said, noting one more quality she saw in Rombalski. \u201cJennifer trusts her intuition. It\u2019s one thing to have the facts, but you also need the intuition to trust how to make things work \u2014 Jennifer has that.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"story-meta\">\n<figure class=\"authorimage\"><figcaption>\n<h6>Written by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/profiles\/olsondc\/\">Denise Olson<\/a><\/h6>\n<p>As a marketing specialist in the IMC, Denise helps share the student, faculty, staff and program success stories of UW-Eau Claire. She is a proud Blugold alumna who is excited to see the growth and development in Eau Claire and the integral role that the university is playing in so many community partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"authorimage\"><figcaption>\n<h6>Video by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/profiles\/mabiegh\/\">Glen Mabie<\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Glen uses video to tell stories about UW-Eau Claire. And there are a lot of stories to tell. Working with faculty, staff and students, he helps get the message out about all the great opportunities UW-Eau Claire offers for students who want to make a difference in the world.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>For the Media<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.uwec.edu\/athena\/images\/16302\/Rombalski-Tribune.jpg\">Image Download<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Selfless and devoted individuals stepped forward in 2020 with heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a continuous source of hope during such difficult times. Among the devoted public servants was Blugold nursing alumna Jennifer Rombalski, who was honored as Person of the Year by the La Crosse Tribune for her work as the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":5971,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[96],"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-5966","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-eau-claire"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/5966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5966"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=5966"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=5966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}