Jasmine Zapata facts for kids

Dr. Jasmine Y. Zapata is an American doctor and a scientist who studies how diseases spread. She is the top medical officer and state epidemiologist for community health in Wisconsin. She became the first African American to serve in this role.

Dr. Zapata has worked as a children's doctor (pediatrician), a researcher, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, and an author. She also supports young people through many special programs.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Zapata grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before high school, she lived with her parents. After her parents divorced, she moved into an apartment with her mother, Julia Battle, and younger brother, Aaron. They received public health insurance called BadgerCare.

Dr. Zapata was the top student (valedictorian) when she graduated from high school. She received a special scholarship to attend Marquette University. In 2006, she married her husband, Miguel Zapata. Sadly, her brother Aaron passed away in 2007 at age 16.

College and Medical School

Dr. Zapata earned her bachelor's degree in health sciences from Marquette University in 2009. She then went to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

In 2010, during her second year of medical school, her daughter was born very early, at 25 weeks. Her daughter spent three months in the hospital's special care unit for newborns. This experience inspired Dr. Zapata to focus her career on helping Black women and babies. She wanted to improve health care and reduce differences in the health system.

Dr. Zapata earned her medical degree in 2013. She also earned a master's degree in public health in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her medical training (residency) at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Career in Medicine and Public Health

Dr. Zapata has worked as a children's doctor at UW Health University Hospital. She also cared for newborns at UnityPoint Health-Meriter. She was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics.

Research and Community Health

Her research focuses on unfair differences in health care, especially for different racial groups. She has interviewed Black women about their experiences with health care. This helps to make pregnancy and infant care better for everyone.

Dr. Zapata also worked with groups like Harambee Village Doulas. They created a program to support pregnant people and new babies.

In 2018, Dr. Zapata was chosen for a special program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. This allowed her to spend more time on public health research. In 2019, she received a grant for a project. It aimed to reduce infant deaths in Wisconsin by improving community-based prenatal care and infant support.

Responding to Health Crises

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Zapata worked to help people understand the COVID-19 vaccine. She talked with local community groups and individuals.

In June 2020, she advised students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. They organized a rally called White Coats for Black Lives. Dr. Zapata marched with her daughter and spoke about racism and hidden biases in health care.

In September 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers appointed Dr. Zapata to the Governor's Health Equity Council. This council works to make health care fair for everyone. In May 2021, she became the chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for community health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Youth Empowerment

Dr. Zapata is the founder of Beyond Beautiful International. This is a mentoring program for girls around the world. It offers workshops, coaching, books, and video series.

Inspiring Young People

In 2018, she went on the Girls Empowerment Tour. This tour visited seven cities in the Midwest. It included conferences with social workers, authors, and musicians. She also spoke at the Black Girl Magic Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

At youth conferences, Dr. Zapata performs a poem she wrote. This poem became the basis for her book, Beyond Beautiful: A Girl's Guide to Unlocking the Power of Inner Beauty, Self Esteem, Resilience, and Courage. She encourages her audience to join in by chanting lines like, "I'm courageous, I'm resilient, I'm confident, I'm creative." Her book has also been made into a student workbook and translated into Swahili.

Dr. Zapata has also directed the local branch of The Ladder. This is a national mentoring program supported by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. She also helped start and directed the Madison Inspirational Youth Choir. She founded the Madam Dreamers Academy, an online program to support young women who want to become doctors.

Awards and Recognition

• 2018 ATHENA Young Professional Award, The Business Forum
• 2019-20 Outstanding Women of Color Honoree, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• 2020 Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation's Superhero of Medicine Award
• 2021 Marquette University Young Alumna of The Year Award
• 2021 parade marshal at the Juneteenth celebration in Madison, Wisconsin

Personal Life

Dr. Zapata has four children with her husband, Miguel.