Shelley Wallace has been working as the Patient Wellness Manager at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority for the past year and a half.

She took on what was a brand new role for the clinic and oversees all the operations of the sev- eral departments within the PTHA’s Community Health division.

Shelley Wallace has a long background in community health, and started a career in health- care because of strong passion for nutrition.

“My interests are in all things preventative,” she said.

Shelley Wallace grew up in British Columbia, and has lived in various locations along the west coast. Before coming to the PTHA, she worked in a similar position in an Alaska Native Clinic on Bristol Bay, and then as a corporate dietician in Bellingham.

She and her two children - ages five and seven - relocated again to Auburn to take on the new position at the PTHA.

“We’ve had a lot of growth and change, even since I’ve been here,” she said. “I like the ability to plan programs and see things happen. I love working with people and getting them excited about their health.”

In addition to administrative functions, such as budgeting and writing grant proposals, Shelley Wallace has specialized training in a variety of fields, so she is able to fill in for any of the smaller community health departments, such as nutrition, diabetes classes, tobacco program and WIC.

“I love working here – I get to work with so many wonderful people.”

Shelley Wallace said one of the challenges Community Health faces is a lack of aware- ness for the multitude of programming, classes, events and resources they offer.

The 2012 Wellness Challenge, for example, is just starting up for adults and children, in which PTHA clients can earn prizes for reaching health goals.

“Keep your eye on the calendar – there’s more special events coming up this year.”