We were lucky to catch up with Tanya Ambrose recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tanya, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
Being an immigrant living in the United States, I’ve often reflected on the duality of my upbringing—growing up in Antigua with certain privileges due to my parents’ hard work and sacrifices, yet being deeply aware of the needs within my community. My mother, in particular, taught me by example about the importance of giving back and being of service to those with greater needs. This value has become a cornerstone of how I live and work.
After facing the setback of failing out of nursing school, I found myself at a crossroads. That experience forced me to pivot and ultimately led me to discover public health—a field that aligned perfectly with my desire to serve others. However, during my studies, I still struggled to envision what my career in public health might look like.
The defining moment in my professional journey came during a study abroad stint in Uganda. Growing up in Antigua, where discussions about women’s and menstrual health were often cloaked in silence and stigma, I was not fully prepared for the reality I encountered abroad. I witnessed firsthand the struggles many faced during their menstrual cycles due to the lack of access to affordable and adequate menstrual products. Seeing people resort to unsafe materials was heartbreaking and ignited a deep sense of urgency within me.
That experience was transformative. I remember sitting with one of my favorite professors, who would later become my mentor, to map out a five-year plan for life after graduation. Through our conversations, I realized my passion lay in maternal and reproductive health. My study abroad experience illuminated a gap in health equity that I couldn’t ignore, and I felt a profound responsibility to act.
That moment was the seed that grew into Scrub Life Cares, the nonprofit I founded to address menstrual equity and promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. What began as a small effort to provide menstrual and hygiene products has grown into a movement advocating for equitable access to health education, dismantling the stigma surrounding reproductive health, and empowering underserved communities.
This moment taught me that seemingly small experiences can be life-altering and that our most meaningful work often emerges from responding to the needs we witness. It also reinforced my belief in the power of education and advocacy to drive change. That defining moment in Uganda continues to fuel my commitment to creating equitable health outcomes for women and girls, and it serves as a constant reminder of why I chose this path.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Tanya Ambrose, a public health professional, nonprofit founder, podcast host, Health Educator and advocate for maternal, child, and reproductive health. My journey into this work stems from my lived experiences growing up on the Caribbean island of Antigua, witnessing the silence and stigma surrounding women’s health, and my own challenges as I navigated my career path.
My passion for public health was born from a pivotal moment in my life when I had to choose what career path I would take after failing out of nursing school by .05 points and not knowing what would be next. I took a risk and landed up at Georgia State University where I obtained my Bachrlor’s of Science in Public Health. Another pivotal aspect of my life was during a study abroad stint in Uganda, Africa where I saw firsthand the struggles many individuals faced during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of resources. This experience highlighted the glaring disparities in access to health education and essential products, sparking a deep desire to bridge that gap.
Today, I am the founder and CEO of Scrub Life Cares, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health education in underserved communities. Our mission is to address menstrual equity, combat period poverty, and advocate for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Through Scrub Life Cares, we provide essential menstrual and hygiene products, host educational workshops, and work to dismantle the stigma surrounding reproductive health issues.
What sets Scrub Life Cares apart is our holistic approach to addressing health disparities. We don’t just provide products; we aim to empower individuals with knowledge and advocacy skills to take control of their health. By combining community engagement with education, we’re fostering a generation of empowered individuals who can advocate for their own well-being and the well-being of others.
In addition to my nonprofit work, I am the host of Tea with Tanya: Transforming Every Aspect, a podcast where I explore topics such as personal development, mindfulness, health, and wellness. The podcast is an extension of my passion for education and advocacy, offering listeners a space to grow, learn, and be inspired.
I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made in communities by normalizing conversations about reproductive health, breaking down stigmas, and providing tangible support to those in need. Whether it’s distributing menstrual products, educating youths about consent and boundaries, or addressing reproductive and sexual health in our workshops, every step brings us closer to a healthier, more equitable world.
The main thing I want people to know about my work is that it’s deeply rooted in service and empowerment. Through Scrub Life Cares and Tea with Tanya, my mission is to create lasting change by addressing not just the symptoms of inequity but the systemic barriers that perpetuate them. I believe that when people have access to the resources and education they need, they’re better equipped to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience has been a recurring theme in my journey, but one moment stands out vividly. Early in my academic career, I had my heart set on becoming a nurse. It felt like the perfect way to combine my passion for helping others with a tangible skill set. However, failing out of nursing school was a humbling and heartbreaking experience that left me questioning my path and my purpose.
After the initial wave of disappointment, I realized that while nursing wasn’t my calling, my desire to make a difference in people’s lives hadn’t diminished. That realization led me to pivot to public health, an area I hadn’t considered before but quickly grew passionate about. Still, this transition wasn’t without its challenges.
During my public health studies, I experienced another defining moment while studying abroad in Uganda. Witnessing the menstrual struggles of individuals who lacked access to basic hygiene products left a deep impact on me. I knew then that my path in public health would focus on addressing these inequities.
Building Scrub Life Cares from the ground up required resilience in countless ways—from navigating limited funding to overcoming societal stigma around menstrual and reproductive health. But I leaned into the lessons I learned from failing out of nursing school: setbacks are not the end but an opportunity to reassess, adapt, and push forward. There is a phrase I often use and I heard this when I was young girl and heard my aunt preach a sermon and in that sermon she said “ turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones.” At the time I did not know what that phrase really mean but as I get older, more and more I understand what she meant.
Today, I see the fruits of that resilience in the lives we’ve touched through my nonprofit, the educational workshops we’ve hosted, and the stigmas we’ve begun to dismantle. Resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship; it’s about finding the strength to chart a new path and embracing the unexpected opportunities that arise.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could go back, I would undoubtedly choose the same profession and specialty. Public health, particularly focusing on maternal, child, and reproductive health, has been a transformative journey for me. While I initially aspired to be a nurse, my pivot to public health opened doors to address health disparities in ways I never imagined, especially those tied to education and access.
One of the most urgent issues I’m passionate about is lowering maternal mortality rates, particularly in underserved communities where systemic inequities persist. But my work extends beyond maternal health—it starts with education. I believe that reducing maternal mortality begins with empowering individuals, from a young age, to understand their bodies. Through my nonprofit, Scrub Life Cares, we educate youths and adults about reproductive and sexual health, menstrual health, and consent.
For example, our workshops teach menstruators how to manage their periods effectively, understand their menstrual cycles, and recognize signs that something may be wrong. These seemingly small interventions can have life-saving implications, such as encouraging early care or reducing stigma so people feel empowered to seek help.
Educating about reproductive and sexual health isn’t just about providing facts; it’s about equipping individuals to make informed decisions for their health and well-being. When people have access to this knowledge, they are better prepared to advocate for themselves, navigate the healthcare system, and potentially prevent the complications that contribute to maternal and reproductive health disparities.
If anything, my experiences have only solidified my belief in the power of education and advocacy to create lasting change. I would choose this path every time because it allows me to combine my passion for community service, education, and health equity to tackle issues at their root and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tanyakambrose.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyakambrose/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scrublifecares
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-ambrose-bsph/
- Twitter: https://x.com/scrublifecares
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scrublifecares3100
- Other: Find Tea With Tanya: Transforming Every Aspect on Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts
Image Credits
Zea Wiltshire – ZW Creative Media
Valeria Simon – Flourish Photography