Jane Rohde Bowers Excels In Public Health By Meeting People Where They Are

Jane Rohde Bowers grew up both overseas and in the Pioneer Valley, with parents who graduated from Amherst College and Mount Holyoke. She also had a front-row seat to international public health via her father’s career. A self-described “beach gal” who dreamed of marine biology, she instead found herself pulled into anthropology at Amherst and later, public health herself. Today, Jane is a Health Program Manager in Los Angeles County, where she champions equitable access to HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) care, especially for vulnerable populations. In this conversation, Jane reflects on how her international upbringing shaped her ability to relate to others, how she found her footing in public health after a post-college journey that included backpacking and tour guiding, and how she now strives to mentor the next generation of practitioners. Throughout it all, she affirms her belief that health is a human right—and that connection, trust, and persistence are the keys to making real change. Key Takeaways: Jane shares how growing up abroad as the child of a global public health leader gave her a deep appreciation for diversity and a recognition of health disparities. She talks about how her early jobs—backpacking through Mexico, working as a camping tour guide, and volunteering in San Diego—helped clarify her professional path. Why meeting people where they are is central to Jane’s work today. Jane opens up about how she builds trust with vulnerable populations. The Amherst College classmate she wants me to interview next. You can email Jane at [email protected].