Selena joined the National Rural Health Resource Center in 2018. Since then, her work has grown from providing direct technical assistance and supporting community engagement champions to serving as a Program Manager and now Program Director of the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) program. Today, she is focused on helping rural health care organizations strengthen their connections to the communities they serve and develop approaches, tools, and people that support meaningful and sustainable community engagement.
With more than 8 years of experience supporting rural health organizations and communities, Selena brings a well-rounded and insightful perspective to her work. She has extensive experience in areas such as program development and implementation, facilitation, technical assistance, staff development, project management, and collaboration with rural health care leaders, community members, and federal partners.
Her interest in the health care field began long before the start of her career. She was motivated to make a difference after seeing her grandmother receive poor treatment in a nursing home rehabilitation center after a car accident. Curious about health care management and the systems that shape a person’s experience, her interest in the field evolved. This is when she began to explore public health to better understand health care from a broader lens, focusing on the factors that influence the well-being of entire communities. Through her work, her connection to rural has deepened as she’s built genuine friendships with the residents who work and live there. Those experiences have given her a greater appreciation for the strength, resilience, and resourcefulness of rural communities, as well as the challenges they face.
Outside of work, Selena loves to disconnect and recharge outdoors, particularly at the beach. She also loves to travel, cook, and spend time with her family to stay grounded.