Shining a Spotlight on Dr. Athena Ramos

Academy Member Since 2025
Associate Professor, Department of Health Promotion
College of Public Health
Bio

What do you do at UNMC?
I’m proud to be a part of UNMC and the College of Public Health. Over nearly two decades, I have worked with our Center for Reducing Health Disparities as a liaison between campus and communities across the state, leading a team of multilingual and multicultural professionals who specialize in health promotion and community engagement. For the last 12 years, I have also been a part of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH). My research focuses on occupational health and safety in the agrifood system, welcoming and integration of newcomers, and community well-being. I have conducted multiple studies with farmworkers, meat processing workers, Hispanic/Latino community members, and rural communities. Currently, I lead the Cattle Feedyard Worker Health Study, an ongoing longitudinal multiple methods study of physical, mental, and social health and well-being of cattle feedyard workers across the region. I recently completed a qualitative study with former meatpacking workers about how they were coping with the closure of the plant in Lexington, Nebraska.

Tell us about your educational research interests and teaching role.
As an educator, I strive to prepare the next generation of public health leaders to think critically, act compassionately, and translate knowledge into meaningful action for both individuals and communities. I am particularly interested in contextual adaptation, community co-design, interprofessional team development, and reflexivity in education and practice. Currently, I teach courses for PhD students, chair multiple MPH and PhD dissertation committees, and provide workshops and evidence-based health education programs to community members. I’m also a certified facilitator of the evidence-based Entering Mentoring program and have trained dozens of UNMC graduate faculty to strengthen their mentoring practices, engage in collective problem solving, and connect with resources to optimize their mentoring practices.

What is one of your favorite/memorable teaching moments?
One of my favorite teaching moments was taking some of my PhD students to UNL for an introduction to production livestock course so that they could have a better understanding of the agricultural industry and occupational contexts in which workers are engaged. During this course, we visited the swine unit and a working dairy facility where we learned to milk cows. We went to the university farm in Mead, Nebraska where we got to tour cow-calf and feedlot operations. Finally, we went to the meat lab where we learned about meat processing, different cuts of meat, and value-added production. These types of onsite, hands-on learning experiences have been invaluable to my students, and they have enriched their knowledge and understanding of these unique work environments. Students need to be able to see the people and places we study firsthand with their own eyes – without such experiences it’s hard for them to be able imagine these environments, much less design interventions to promote health, safety, and well-being that are relevant and effective.

What do you see as the biggest benefit to being a member of the IAE?
I think the biggest benefit to being a member of the IAE is the connection with others on campus and getting to learn more about best practices in education and educational scholarship. I appreciate having a space where we can engage with other faculty in a supportive space.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
During my free time, I enjoy being a Mom of four and spending time with my family. I also am a competitive figure skater and an aspiring equestrian. I love being active and enjoying the natural world.

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