Tristessa Johnson
Health Equity Coach
Children's Minnesota
St. Paul, MN USA
“If you want something, you’ll find a way. There are always going to be obstacles but you’ll find a way.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationTristessa Johnson
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I always knew that I wanted to help people, but I wasn’t entirely sure in what capacity.
I started working at Children’s Minnesota when I was 17 years old.
I also became a parent at 17 years old—after switching to a school that served pregnant women, I was able to earn credits early and complete a certified nurse assistant program.
While I realized that I didn’t want to be a nurse, I knew that I still wanted to help people—gaining experience with troubled youth helped push me towards the social work field.
As I built my career in social work, I became more and more passionate about helping youth.
Along the way, I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.
27 years later, I’m still with Children’s Minnesota, where I work as a health equity coach.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Health Equity Coach
I ensure equitable healthcare, addressing social determinants and empowering underserved communities.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Medicine
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People
Day to Day
Every day I'm on the frontline addressing biases and discrimination. My mornings often start with early meetings, discussing critical issues like children's vaccination statuses. My role takes me from the office to the community, whether it's administering flu shots on a mobile bus or engaging in community events to promote health equity. A significant part of my day is spent rounding both hospitals I oversee, connecting with staff and families to identify and address any equity concerns.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"You're young and you have a baby. You're not as capable as older generations."
Challenges I Overcame
Young Parent
