Angela Wheeler, B.S., REHS

Senior Environmental Specialist

Washington County Public Health & Environment

Stillwater, MN 55082

Biography

Angela Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Public Health from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire.  Ms. Wheeler is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian.  Ms. Wheeler began her career in 1985 at the Eau Claire City-County Health Department in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  In 1989 she began working for Washington County, Minnesota.  Currently Ms. Wheeler is a Senior Environmental Specialist on the General Environmental Health Team at the Washington County Department of Public Health & Environment and is the Standardization Officer for her agency.

Ms. Wheeler is currently on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Environmental Health Association and is a Past-President of the Association.  She is also a member of the Minnesota Food Safety Partnership and is on the steering committee for the Environmental Health Knowledge Management Project for the State of Minnesota.

Leadership Development Opportunities

When I applied for the institute I had no idea what was involved.  I had a personal goal to develop my leadership skills and the EPHLI seemed like a great way to do that.  The MBTI, SKILLSCOPE 360 survey and the Change Style Indicator gave me great insight into my personality and why I do things the way I do. 

The institute was also my first exposure to Systems Thinking.  I have now been using this as a tool to determine where system breakdowns have occurred and to develop long-term solutions rather than relying on quick fixes to the problem.  The institute also gave me a great opportunity to network with others across the nation and to share resources.  It was beneficial to hear about others’ issues in environmental health, their differences and similarities.  My mentor and team were very supportive and helpful during the institute.  Overall, the institute has allowed me to grow professionally and personally.  I feel honored to have been given this opportunity.