Jessica Dahlman, RN, Kalispell City Council:
A Platform of Kindness
As a nurse, Jessica Dahlman knows empathy. She recently won a seat on the Kalispell City Council, where compassionate leadership will guide her actions. She has an interesting narrative on how she arrived at this point in her career.
Jessica worked with patients in chronic pain in massage therapy, and then went on to become an R.N. She had done almost every type of nursing over the past decade. She also has been active with a union for healthcare workers. Because of her work with the union, Jessica felt it was time to step up. She decided to run for office as she tired of hearing negativity I the community from a small group of people. Her platform: Compassion and kindness – rather perfect for a nurse who embodies these traits.
On another level, she attended a conference a few years representing her labor union where she met Katie Huffing, head of Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment (ANHE), and attended a talk that Katie gave. ANHE aligned with her values. Jessica’s father was an organic farmer. “Food is medicine” say Jessica. She understands that our surroundings, our environs - including climate change - affect our health.
Jessica sees a number of ways to incorporate climate concern into her new role on the city council. The local water treatment plant needs upgrades; climate considerations need to be included in the planning. Nearby Flathead Lake is critical to the region, and climate alterations affect the lake; permitting and land use is a common issue and water quality must be maintained, even with climate change. Wise urban planning that makes Kalispell more walkable can clean the air, improve people’s health, and decrease carbon emissions.
Jessica moved to Montana in 2013. Her son, “my proudest moment”, is now an adult. Though she still works full-time in nursing, she is accustomed to extra roles. She can be seen in the area with her 3 dogs – hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. No doubt, she will weather being a councilwoman well and improve the Kalispell region in her new role!
A Platform of Kindness
As a nurse, Jessica Dahlman knows empathy. She recently won a seat on the Kalispell City Council, where compassionate leadership will guide her actions. She has an interesting narrative on how she arrived at this point in her career.
Jessica worked with patients in chronic pain in massage therapy, and then went on to become an R.N. She had done almost every type of nursing over the past decade. She also has been active with a union for healthcare workers. Because of her work with the union, Jessica felt it was time to step up. She decided to run for office as she tired of hearing negativity I the community from a small group of people. Her platform: Compassion and kindness – rather perfect for a nurse who embodies these traits.
On another level, she attended a conference a few years representing her labor union where she met Katie Huffing, head of Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment (ANHE), and attended a talk that Katie gave. ANHE aligned with her values. Jessica’s father was an organic farmer. “Food is medicine” say Jessica. She understands that our surroundings, our environs - including climate change - affect our health.
Jessica sees a number of ways to incorporate climate concern into her new role on the city council. The local water treatment plant needs upgrades; climate considerations need to be included in the planning. Nearby Flathead Lake is critical to the region, and climate alterations affect the lake; permitting and land use is a common issue and water quality must be maintained, even with climate change. Wise urban planning that makes Kalispell more walkable can clean the air, improve people’s health, and decrease carbon emissions.
Jessica moved to Montana in 2013. Her son, “my proudest moment”, is now an adult. Though she still works full-time in nursing, she is accustomed to extra roles. She can be seen in the area with her 3 dogs – hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. No doubt, she will weather being a councilwoman well and improve the Kalispell region in her new role!