Born and raised in Fresno, California, Annie Chang’s passion for healthcare began in high school, where she volunteered over 200 hours at a medical center. Though she initially set out to follow in the footsteps of her sister-in-law and become a nurse, her experiences led her to public health, where she could address the root causes of health inequities and support communities through education and advocacy. 

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Fresno State, she joined the Fresno County Department of Public Health, where she supported the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health division, particularly Fresno County’s Perinatal Equity Initiative. Now, as a lead in the county’s doula workforce expansion project, Annie is working to replicate HealthConnect One’s Community-Based Doula program to increase access to culturally responsive birth support services in underserved communities. 

As a California HEAL Fellow, Annie looks forward to learning from a community of like-minded leaders committed to advancing health equity. She hopes to strengthen her skills and deepen her impact, particularly in expanding access to doula services for Black and Brown birthing people in Fresno. Rediscovering her “why” in public health, Annie is committed to transforming maternal and infant health outcomes by bridging gaps between hospital providers and patients in the very community that shaped her.