As a public health nutrition assistant in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at the Vermont Department of Health, Taylor Murray blends her health and nutrition interests with a commitment to equity.

Her role involves working to ensure that pregnant women, moms, and children under the age of five have access to the education and resources they need to be healthy. In a typical appointment with her clients, Murray assesses their general health and nutrition status, and then connects them with the community resources that can help address their needs – including referrals to health and dental care providers, food banks, childcare providers and preschools. Murray also helps connect new moms with breastfeeding support and helps families access food benefits provided by the income-based federal nutrition assistance program.

Murray says it has been an eye-opening experience to witness the struggle some families face day-to-day to provide necessities for their children.

“My background in health sciences has shown me how inequitable our world can be,” said Murray, who also minored in nutrition and food sciences and behavior change health studies at UVM. “Every conversation I have, especially with WIC participants, is centered around the social determinants of health. If people do not have necessities, how can we expect them to change their health behaviors?”

The best part of her job, says Murray, is when a family walks away from a WIC appointment feeling confident in their ability to take care of themselves and their children.

“It is amazing to see how we can help make their lives a bit easier and provide them support and reassurance that they are doing the best they can.”