We are stoked to welcome Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member.

Situated in the Capacity Building and Evaluation Department, Tonyé joins Valerie and Deb as a Capacity-Building Specialist and is a great addition to several initiatives including two federally-funded Tier 1 TPP programs—the U Choose Community Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and the Maryland Optimal Adolescent Health Program. Tonyé is also supporting all facets of Power Through Choices and fee-for-service events.

Tonyé’s interest in public health was sparked while she was teaching middle school in Houston, Texas.

Tonyé’s interest in public health was sparked while she was teaching middle school in Houston, Texas. She saw students with unmet needs such as comprehensive health and social services, mental health supports, and nutrition access.

She saw students with unmet needs such as comprehensive health and social services, mental health supports, and nutrition access. While earning her MPH with a concentration on maternal and child health, at Tulane University, Tonyé was also involved in many projects beyond the campus. She conducted research, produced a COVID-19 toolkit for pregnant and post-partum women in New Orleans, facilitated curricula, and developed several social media campaigns, trainings, and resources. And, like everyone at Healthy Teen Network, Tonyé brings a lot of energy, a commitment to centering youth voices, and multiple dimensions to her work.

It helps that she knows how to have fun outside of work, too! Whether it is keeping up with Baylor, her eight-year-old Jack Russell Border Collie mix who STILL acts like a puppy, making jewelry, cooking up something spicy in the kitchen, or making fresh pasta—courtesy of a study abroad experience in Italy—Tonyé has her hands in a little bit of everything.

So, join us in welcoming Tonyé and know that she is one of us, working to improve the health and well-being of all adolescents.

P.S. We love dog people at Healthy Teen Network!