“I see first-hand the important services our clinics provide to the community. More importantly, as a refugee immigrant, I see myself and my family in our clients.”
Olga Lukomsky, School-Based Health Educator
What do you do?
I’m a health educator for the School-Based Health Program at the Multnomah County Health Department.
I create communication content and educational materials for 13 different clinics that are co-located in our public schools.
How did you become interested in the position?
I believe in being a positive influence and leader in my local community and I wanted to give back. I joined the county as an intern and then quickly moved into program development work in our primary care clinics. When a regular position opened up in the School-Based Health program I became interested as it looked to be the perfect opportunity to use my creative marketing and healthcare skills. Personally and professionally, I felt this would be a fulfilling position because I could apply my lived experience and collaborate with others to increase healthcare access for local youth.
I came to the States at the age of five and my family relied on public services just like the ones we provide here. I see first-hand the important services our clinics provide to the community. More importantly, as a refugee immigrant, I see myself and my family in our clients.
Why did you choose to work for Multnomah County?
I chose Multnomah County because this is a “do good” and “feel good” place to work. I use my creative and professional skills in work that makes a difference. I appreciate the long-term security and the mobility that you can get as a result of working for one of the largest employers in the Portland area. More than that, I love that I see our work everywhere I go: on a billboard that promotes healthy life choices, or going to my local county library and borrowing a good book. The evidence of county work is all around us and that feels good.
What sets Multnomah County apart in your view?
As a millennial and a soon-to-be-mom, the county really works for me and my values. With the recent paid parental leave policy I feel more supported to have the best of both worlds: family and career.
When I started here the thing that stood out most was the diversity of employees: people from all walks of life, with unique cultural backgrounds. The workplace is cross generational, with people at various points in their careers. It felt exciting and sustainable and I wanted to be a part of it long term.
This year I became the tech-learning leader for my program, which makes me feel like my unique skillset is valued and recognized. On a personal level, I feel energized and engaged knowing that I’m part of a nationally-recognized school-based health program. Simply put, my work feels important to me and I feel important to my work.
What keeps you engaged?
I collaborate with inspirational peers and I have solid mentors. There are opportunities for personal growth and career development. For example, there are workshops on topics like mindfulness, effective communication, and business writing. I like that I work at a place that keeps these sort of job satisfiers in mind.
I also like that we are supportive of working families. We have onsite lactation rooms to support nursing moms and there are opportunities to have a modified schedule for a better work-life balance. All these things matter, especially to people my age who specifically seek these types of features in a workplace.