Healthy Klamath

 

Merritt Driscoll was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to moving to Klamath, she spent two years in Tanzania, East Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. At that time, she lived in the small coastal town of Mtwara where she taught community health at the local medical school and secured grant funding to improve the school’s infrastructure and number of books in the library. She moved to Klamath Falls in 2012 and began working for Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services, where she ran the programs for Tobacco Prevention and Maternal and Child Health. She then transitioned to Sky Lakes Medical Center as the Intake/Volunteer Coordinator and then the Development Coordinator and Grant Writer at Klamath-Lake CARES. Since 2015, Merritt has worked with Blue Zones Project-Klamath Falls, first as the Project Manager and now as the Executive Director. Merritt holds a Master of Public Health and Master International Degree from Tulane University School of Public Health as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhodes College. Merritt’s favorite power nine is family first and right outlook! In her free time, she enjoys being active, playing basketball, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two little girls.

 

 

Jessie Hecocta is an enrolled member of The Klamath Tribes and is currently the Relationship Manager for Blue Zones Project. Jessie’s education and passion for overall well-being has led her to become a team member of Blue Zones Project-Healthy Klamath. Since the launch of Blue Zones Project in 2015, Jessie has been driving and supporting adoption of comprehensive well-being best practices for Blue Zones Project within a wide range of individual organizations, maintaining relationships with community partners, and facilitating community workshops. Jessie’s favorite principle to apply is Right Outlook, which encompasses both Downshifting and Purpose. “Taking the time to find your sense of purpose or best self takes quiet, stillness, reflection, and internal searching; asking yourself, ‘What are my emotions telling me, how can I communicate better, be a better partner, be more focused, driven, purposeful, or self-reliant?’” She enjoys spending time with her fiancé Ellsworth and family, reading nonfiction literature, outdoor activities, modeling, working out in the gym and with colleagues, and having quiet time with a cup of tea.

 

Kelsey was born and raised in Klamath Falls, she graduated with a bachelor of science in Population Health Management from Oregon Tech with a minor in medical sociology and psychology. Throughout school Kelsey realized that her community needed people that were passionate about health and their community which are two things that resonate with Kelsey. Kelsey did her internship in college with Blue Zones working on the food policy committee and working within the community. Before accepting the position with Blue Zones Kelsey worked in the Emergency Department as the Health Navigator helping people understand the health care system. In her free time, she loves spending time with her partner, David and their dogs. Being active is an important part of who Kelsey is and she is passionate about everyday movement as well as her food and where it comes from.