My dear friend Maura and I have each published creative works, but did you know we also both have Masters Degrees in public health and worked our careers as Certified Industrial Hygienists? Once in a while, something happens and you just know there’s a bit of magic-making. Little things and big things, things we forget … Continue reading Exploring Relationships in Fiction and Public Health
UPDATED: As of Wed., October 22 A Map of Her Own is now readily available on Amazon for the retail price of $16.95. Find it here. That being said, you can still find it under the other book buying options listed below. It's a good thing this wasn’t my first or second, or perhaps even … Continue reading A Map of Her Own: Testing My Limits
Yes, today is an exciting day! It is the release of A Map of Her Own, my fifth book set in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you to Bedazzled Ink Publishing for, once again, helping me get my stories out. So, I'll begun by encouraging you to check it out. If you have enjoyed any of … Continue reading Embracing Unexpected Encounters: The Power of Connection
Yes, I hear a few of you thinking: Didn't she just say she's retired? Yeah, yeah. It's just that I do always hope to give back. And as evidence in my sharing this piece, though it might be contrary to what some believe, I too can't turn my brain off. After catching up with a … Continue reading Total Worker Health: Idealism vs. Reality
This essay was first shared on Women Writers, Women['s] Books on September 29, 2025. Thanks to Books by Women for supporting authors and readers. When I began this story, I thought it would be my fifth rather than sixth book. But as other authors know to happen, life interrupted. I did know that Celia, a … Continue reading The Writing of A Map of Her Own
My memorial altar. Notice the sobriety chip leaning against the typewriter. My first book, the memoir My Music Man, was published in October eight years ago. But now I look at it with fresh eyes. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine how publishing that book would lead to my creation of five other … Continue reading Musing about My Music Man: The Healing Power of Writing
I adore children's books. In fact, I have to remind myself whenever I'm in the children's section of a book store to temper myself. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't buy books –only that I'm extremely picky. I don't often blog about books written by others, but today is different as I share two … Continue reading Exploring Books That Delight Kids and Adults Alike
Keynote talk at the 2023 ASSP WISE (Women in Safety Excellence) event at Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference. My mom was a bit younger than I am now when she retired from her adjunct faculty position at Marylhurst. It was a difficult choice as she loved what she did, but an autoimmune illness … Continue reading Embracing Retirement: A Journey of Growth and Mentorship
In May 2014, two months before Dad died, my parents joined me as I presented a talk at OHSU on behalf of Oregon's Safety Break for our Institute's science seminar. It was a day to advocate for workplace safety, and I created a slide deck with images purchased from John Klatt, founder of Old Oregon … Continue reading Grieving the Loss, Embracing the Launch: My Parents’ Impact on My Writing
Hawaiian women pack pineapple into cans, November 20, 1928. View in National Archives Catalog When I began graduate school in 1984 at the University of Washington School of Public Health, I thought I wanted to work in water quality. Yet that first quarter (Tony Horstman and Mike Morgan's) industrial hygiene class opened my eyes. I learned … Continue reading The Fight for Workers’ Rights: A Labor Day Reflection meets “A Map of Her Own”
Dede's Books and blog 