20 & 25 YEARS SERVICE RECOGNITION
Deanna Stoffel
POSITION
Lactation Consultant
AGENCY
Douglas County Health Department Charles Drew
Employee Biography:
Husband: Matt, Children: Olivia 20, Madelyn 18, Ehren 13
Favorite hobby: Watching my children’s activities/sports
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
Biggest changes to WIC in the past 20 years: Food package changes, Journey computer system, E-WIC cards, increased breastfeeding support: introduction of the Peer counselor program, breast pump program, CLCs and IBCLCs, and changes due to Covid…working remote/virtual meetings and classes.
Which change have you found to be the most challenging and why?
The most challenging changes: Having to change the way we do business due to Covid.
Which change were you the most excited about and why?
The Most exciting changes: Introduction of Baby Behavior, increased breastfeeding support activities, and unexpectedly…learning how to use technology to reach participants in a different way.
20 Years Of Service as of 2020
Tyneil Bradford
POSITION
Lead Clerk/State Training Coach
AGENCY
Douglas County Health Department Charles Drew
Employee Biography:
My first Love are my two Sons and three Grand Children and Family. My second Love is to travel by plane at least 4 times a year, spending time with friends and family is a must for me, I do that on a weekly basis.
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
Having the knowledge of policies and procedures over the last 21 years are a plus. Mixing up work schedules at WIC makes it fun and adventurous. Working with Offutt Participants, CDHC Participants, recruiting families at the Right Start at Offutt and meeting and training at the training clinic was always refreshing. I remember participants used to have to pick out 1 store to shop at, I don’t miss making sure the numbers matched correctly on checks and logs. :)
Which change have you found to be the most challenging and why? I might kinda miss the old computer system where I really didn’t have to call the Help desk, I knew how to get out of an error backwards, now the new computer system has me calling the help desk from time to time . Sorry Alex :) That’s the only challenge that I have.
Which change were you the most excited about and why? I’m still super excited about the Ewic card and the App, one of my favorites is that the participant doesn’t have to grab all their benefits at one time that it stretches over a month. Self check out for the privacy and convenience for the participant is a great added factor.
20 Years Of Service as of 2020
Traci Fisher
POSITION
CPA/RD
AGENCY
Douglas County Health Department Midtown
Employee Biography:
I'm married and have 2 teenage kids, my son Jayden is 16 years old and my daughter Sadie is 13 years old and our fur baby Tucker who's 2 1/2 years old who has brought so much joy and laughter to our family. I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends and spending time outdoors to relax. My parents live in Lake of the Ozarks so we go see them as often as possible. We would love to go somewhere tropical next year as a family for our 20th wedding anniversary!
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
Things are getting much more efficient and accommodating with WIC over these last 20 years. I'm really enjoying the switch to the EWIC card which makes our lives and the WIC families' lives so much easier and more enjoyable! Also being able to do appointments remote has been a life changer for our WIC families especially in this busy world! I have always and continue to enjoy working with my WIC family! I truly love my job!
20 Years Of Service as of 2020
Sara Hansen
POSITION
Clinic Manager
AGENCY
Douglas County Health Department West Omaha
Employee Biography:
I have 2 daughters- 12 and 15. I love the beach and hot weather
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
GLink system and paper checks on the form printer which was VERY noisy to Journey.
Which change were you the most excited about and why? eWIC cards and now some remote services. We are moving in the right direction in meeting participants where they are!
20 Years Of Service as of 2019
Cindy Wagner
POSITION
CPA/RD
AGENCY
Douglas County Health Department Midtown
EEmployee Biography:
I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana where my Mom and Dad were stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. I have an older sister and a younger sister. I have lived in Langley Virginia, Belleville, Illinois, Miami, Florida and Yankton South Dakota. I went to Miami Killian for 2 years in high school. I call Omaha my home. I have been married to my wonderful husband Mike for 15 years. We have a fur baby Lilly, a beautiful calico cat that we adopted in 2011. I have worked for Creighton WIC, UNMC WIC and currently I work at Douglas County Midtown WIC.
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
Things have changed a lot in the 28 years that I have worked for WIC. When I first started working for WIC, we had the WIC checks. If a person was new, had a formula change or food package change- we had to hand write the checks out.; otherwise, they were mailed to the clinic. Not very many women breastfed at that time.
Which change were you the most excited about and why?
The exciting changes that happened over the years were when we went to the computer system ,and E- WIC cards. We have a lot more women breastfeeding and a lot of support for our breastfeeding moms. One of the best changes was when WIC added fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt and frozen fruits and vegetables to the benefits. I love working for WIC and helping people. I have worked with and met a lot of wonderful people over the years. I have a great team I work with at Midtown WIC.
25 Years Of Service as of 2018
Lesley Cook
POSITION
CPA/IBCLC
AGENCY
Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department
Employee Biography:
I have been married to my husband Duane for two years. Between us we have 3 children- Charlie (9 years old) a 4th grader in Millard Public Schools, Lauren (18 year old), a freshman at UNO and Ian (19 years old) who is starting Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario- Canada this fall. I enjoy travel (especially to the beach destinations), water aerobics, trying new restaurants and foods, playing board games and doing puzzles.
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
In WIC, things have changed from paper charts and printed checks to electronic versions of these things. I have changed too, becoming an IBCLC and working more with help breastfeeding moms- both programmatically and one-on one.
Which change were you the most excited about and why?
I’m so excited that the LLCHD WIC program is now offering a BFPC Program and other opportunities for breastfeeding support and assistance.
20 Years Of Service as of 2017
My Trang Tran
POSITION
Clerk
AGENCY
Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department
Employee Biography:
I am married, have 7 children and one grand-daughter. I like to help others meet their needs. I enjoy sewing and helping prepare foods at my church. I like to travel to Houston to visit my son and to Florida to see my dad and siblings. I also like to spend time at the beach.
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
There have been a lot of changes in WIC in the past 25 years. First, the computer system and now eWIC cards! I love all the changes, it's made life easier for everyone. I am looking forward to more improvement and better services for the clients. I am proud to be part of the WIC team.
25 Years Of Service as of 2020
Jackie Johnson
POSITION
State Training/Communications Coordinator
AGENCY
State
Employee Biography:
My husband and I are celebrating 33 years. We enjoy driving our convertable in the nice weather, walks at State Parks, and visiting winerys. Although we are almost empty nesters, we still enjoy spending time with our grown children and take every opportunity we can to do things together. We recently took a family vacation to South Dakota. Knowing that it will be harder in the furture to continue family vacations, we wanted to make this one memorable so we surpised our children with a hot air ballon ride. My son is a senior at Doane and my daughter is in her 4th year teaching health & PE at Crete Middle School. My daughter was recently proposed to on top of an enormous grain bin in Lexington. We will be planning a wedding for next year in October.
How have things changed in your 20 years with WIC?
WIC is constantly changing! It makes my head hurt to think back that long at all of the changes. The most exciting changes centered around technology (new computer systems & eWIC) making our program more efficient. Back when I started, our State Office Building did not have designated breastfeeding rooms and women would sit on the floor in closets or in bathrooms to pump. I credit WIC for helping to advocate for this change in our building. Not in time for me to use, but we have nice facilities now for future moms.