![Patricia Louderback](/faculty/_files/louderback-patricia/faculty_picture.jpg)
Patricia Louderback
Health Science
Faculty / Department Chair
Email%3A%20patricia.louderbackFREEWEST_VALLEY
Health and Human Development Division (Physical Education Building) 1J
Faculty / Department Chair
Email%3A%20patricia.louderbackFREEWEST_VALLEY
Health and Human Development Division (Physical Education Building) 1J
Current Committees
Past Committees
My work as a Physical Therapist at medical clinics in southern San Diego County, near the U.S. Mexico border at Tijuana, is what first exposed me to the field of Public Health. I observed public health community workers running needle exchange programs to reduce HIV transmission. My interest in public health began as I leaned about risk reduction, health promotion, disease/injury prevention, and behavioral / biological / environmental factors that affect health outcomes. My interests grew in the areas of tracking health trends / data collection and interpretation, as well as general public health practices to reduce risks to populations. This resulted in a career transition as I went back to school and earned a Masters in Public Health and began a new career as a public health professional working in clinical settings as well as community organizations. This eventually transitioned into me taking a full-time faculty position at West Valley Community College.
I enjoy backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, hiking locally, and most important - spending time outdoors with family and friends.