In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Dr. Janelle Taveras shares how courage, faith, and self-worth have shaped her journey as a public health professional, evaluator, empowerment coach, and mother. She speaks candidly about learning to honor her value in toxic systems, choosing boundaries over burnout, and embracing her full identity—rather than watering herself down to fit into spaces not built to receive her. Dr. Taveras also reflects on integrating her faith, her purpose, and her passion for uplifting others into a life that feels whole, aligned, and authentically hers.

Before we jump in, a quick note — toward the end of our conversation, we lost audio for the final two questions. What you'll hear is everything we were able to capture, and I'm grateful we still have such a powerful conversation to share with you.

You're listening to the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Episode 33.

Meet Dr. Janelle Taveras

Dr. Janelle Taveras began her journey in public health in 2006 with a deep passion to drive meaningful change within her community and across nations. She holds a Doctorate in Public Health with a specialization in epidemiology and brings exceptional expertise in evaluation methods, strategic planning, and equity-centered solutions. Over the course of her career, she has authored or co-authored more than 30 public health abstracts, presentations, and publications; provided capacity building and technical assistance to health departments and HIV programs across the United States; and contributed to major national efforts, including the CDC's Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative across 57 jurisdictions. Her recent work includes developing monitoring and evaluation plans for local HIV/AIDS programs in Broward County and Pinellas County, Florida.

A born-again believer since 2010, Dr. Taveras integrates her faith into every aspect of her work and life. She is deeply committed to encouraging others to pursue their God-given purpose through consistent prayer and daily communion with the Holy Spirit. Her holistic approach to ministry includes Christian fitness and worship through flag ministry—expressions that reflect her belief in honoring God with both body and spirit. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, she often says, "The Holy Spirit can only go as far as the limits of our physical fitness."

Dr. Taveras firmly believes that Jesus should be at the center of every core area of our lives. Through her services, products, and resources, she aims to empower individuals to live dynamic, fruitful lives rooted in Christ. She is honored to serve and walk alongside you on this transformative journey.

Ready to be inspired? Let's listen to my conversation with Dr. Janelle Taveras right now.

Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast

Conversation Highlights

• A Career Rooted in Evaluation and Equity — Dr. Taveras reflects on nearly two decades of public health work, including evaluation leadership on large-scale HIV initiatives, capacity building for health departments, and improving systems through data-driven strategy.
• Faith as a Framework for Discipline and Purpose — She shares how becoming a born-again believer reshaped how she approaches leadership, decision-making, and daily practices that keep her grounded.
• Honoring the Body as Part of the Work — Dr. Taveras talks about Christian fitness, movement, and her belief that physical strength supports emotional and spiritual strength — and why caring for the body is part of her ministry.
• Lessons From Reinvention — She offers wisdom from seasons when she had to pause, listen, and realign her life and work, naming the habits and practices that helped her rebuild with intention.
• A Vision for Impact and Service — Looking ahead, Dr. Taveras describes her desire to help people live purposeful, fruitful lives — and to continue strengthening public health systems through evaluation, equity, and community-centered planning.

"Just because I can, doesn't mean I have to." — Dr. Janelle Taveras

Stay In Touch:

Dr. Janelle Taveras on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-taveras-gomez-phd-28722174/

https://www.empoweringlives.online/

Email Dr. Kristi McClamroch - kristi.mcclamroch@courageouspublichealth.com

Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/

www.CourageousPublicHealth.com

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