#covidcrew
The #COVIDCrew was formed to address a very specific need: culturally competentCOVID-19 information for Reno's Latinx community, a group disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Led by Communications Manager Diana "Berlin" Sande, the crew got to work creating culturally appropriate, entertaining, and informative public health content in English and Spanish.
As the virus evolved, so did we. Based on local and national infection trends we have expanded our target population to include 18-24-year-olds. As an affiliate of the University of Nevada, Reno, the #COVIDCrew has begun working in support of President Brian Sandoval's "Protect the Pack" initiative. Through this collaboration, we aim to keep our students safe and healthy through these difficult times.
Over time it became clear that information was not all the Latinx community was lacking. Conversations with local Disease Investigators highlighted a need for food delivery to families affected by this pandemic. By partnering with local organizations trying to fill this need, the #COVIDCrew has been able to successfully deliver food and supplies to hundreds of local families in need.
Diana Sande was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and raised throughout Latin America. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and hopes one day to add Italian to her repertoire. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is beginning coursework for her MPH in 2021. Diana loves dancing salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaetón. She is passionate about helping the community she lives in and helping the Latinx population in Nevada who has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. She currently works as a communications manager at the Nevada Public Health Training Center and is the leader of the #COVIDCrew.
Zach is a Nevada native. Born and raised in Las Vegas, he moved to Reno in 2008 to attend the University of Nevada, Reno where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He completed the Master of Public Health program at George Washington University in 2019. Zach is passionate about travel and learning about other cultures, and as part of his master's program he completed a two-month internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Zach currently works for the Nevada Public Health Training Center as the Health Communications Manager for #COVIDCrew.
Diana Sande
Zach Dupin, MPH
Anna Dobbins
Anna was born and raised in Las Vegas and moved to Reno in 2017 to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2020, Anna received a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Sciences. Anna is now pursing a Masters of Public Health with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Health at the University of Nevada, Reno and will graduate in the spring of 2022. Anna is passionate about global health and has conducted health education in Rwanda, Paraguay, and Peru. Anna currently works for the Nevada Public Health Training Center as a Public Health Diversity Advisor.
Jackie Parrish
Jackie is a born and raised Nevadan. She moved from Las Vegas to Reno in 2017 to attend the University of Nevada Reno. She is currently a senior who will be graduating in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Sciences with a specialization in public health. After graduation, she will be attending the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University to pursue her Doctor of Optometry degree. Jackie is passionate about public health and optometry, and more specifically primary eye care in developing countries. In her free time, Jackie loves to travel, try new foods, and watch movies. Currently, she works at the Nevada Public Health Training Center on various projects as the communications associate.
Julissa Santamaria
Julissa was born and raised in El Salvador. She moved to Reno and made It her home in 2010. Currently she works for Grand Rounds, a health care assistant company as a Care Coordinator, collaborates with The Covid Crew at the Nevada Public Health Training Center, also she is the Event Coordinator/ Digital Library Program Manager for Future Kind a Reno based non-profit that Inspire sustainable community development through diverse collaboration and creating equitable opportunities. She is pursuing her education in Spanish with a minor in Education. Her goal is to teach Spanish to high school students here in the U.S or overseas.