June Spotlight: Ryan Fauglid on a Career in Health Communication

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be science-oriented to pursue a career in healthcare! From human resources to marketing and communications, there are a myriad of roles in the healthcare field that require soft skills while still having measurable impacts on patient outcomes. Ryan Fauglid (BA ‘24) found his niche in health communications, using his skills as a writer, designer and communicator to produce impactful educational materials meant to help patients understand their diagnoses. Read more about Fauglid’s story below. 

From Pre-Med to Health Communicator

Growing up in Windom, MN, a town in Greater Minnesota’s Cottonwood County, Ryan Fauglid had limited opportunities to explore different career paths. He knew he wanted to help people, and after working as a COVID-19 medical screener at a local hospital, he thought that healthcare would be the right fit for him. “I would check people’s temperature, ask about their symptoms, and walk patients to the lab,” Fauglid said, “It was my first real exposure to medicine.”

When he enrolled at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a psychology major, he was intent on pursuing a pre-med track. But when his chemistry course didn’t go as planned, Fauglid realized he may have to adjust his career trajectory. Around that time, he was invited to apply for a marketing internship at the same hospital he worked at during high school, and it didn’t take long for him to discover his skill and passion for health communication.

In his Sophomore year Fauglid switched majors to Strategic Communication, and with a minor in Public Health, began tailoring his degree to the growing field of health communication. This led him to apply for a communications position at the Pre-Health Student Resource Center, a role which allowed him to experiment with different platforms for outreach to pre-health students. “I saw it as a chance to help and support students and make their lives easier,” he said. “I loved doing marketing and communications leading up to the Health Professional School Expo and Health Careers Fair - they were such big events and it felt good to be a part of it.”

Upon graduating in Fall 2024, Fauglid said goodbye to the PHSRC, and began the next phase of his health communications career at Allina Health. There, working as a Patient Education Associate, he develops materials provided to patients upon diagnosis, such as this document detailing “Mobility Recovery After Abdominal (Belly) Surgery.” This work, he says, “is meant to alleviate some of the worry and frustration and anxiety about a diagnosis, and improve health literacy.”

Patient Education in a Changing Accessibility Landscape

Improving health literacy is a primary component of Fauglid’s job, and ties directly to the growing conversation around content accessibility. From his perspective, “medicine has a high barrier to entry information-wise. There is a huge education gap between provider and patient, so they end up talking from two different places. Words like arrhythmia are not common knowledge to the average person.” 

“Medicine has a high barrier to entry information-wise. There is a huge education gap between provider and patient, so they end up talking from two different places. Words like arrhythmia are not common knowledge to the average person.” 

-Ryan Fauglid

According to a December 2024 press release from the National Center of Education Statistics, 28% of U.S. adults ranked at the lowest levels of literacy, meaning they struggle to paraphrase, make basic inferences, and compare and contrast information. To showcase literacy trends over time, NBC News developed a few charts demonstrating how more people in the U.S. are struggling with basic literacy skills. These trends have major implications for the healthcare field, as it is imperative that patients understand their diagnosis and care instructions after leaving the hospital. This is where Fauglid’s work comes in, as he develops documents meant to be accessible to those with an 8th grade reading level.

At the end of the day, “we need to make sure we are representing everybody and that the information is accessible to everyone,” he says. “We cannot enhance health literacy without talking to all people and working hard to reach people who aren't traditionally reached. There is a social justice element to this work, and I like that about my job.” This accessibility perspective goes beyond using approachable language, as his work is important for enhancing health equity and combating systemic inequalities in healthcare writ-large. 

To Fauglid, it is imperative that patients see themselves reflected in the materials provided to them. “For example, a document on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) that centers heterosexual experiences may make people who don’t fit into that mold tune out.” 

Allina is currently sponsoring his health literacy specialist training, which he hopes will advance his expertise in developing accessible healthcare documents. “We don’t have structural education that teaches health skills and literacy, that’s where my work comes in.”

Advice for Future Health Communicators

When asked what advice he would give someone interested in pursuing a career in health communications, Fauglid had several recommendations. “First, if you’re a UMN student take Principles of Health Communication Strategy with Dr. Susan LoRusso, and don’t be afraid to be a part of healthcare related clubs and organizations, even if you don’t plan to go to med school.” He also recommends tying your minor to your career path, noting his own choice to pursue a Public Health minor. “Basically any way you can incorporate health into your academic career I’d recommend pursuing.” 

Lastly, Fauglid wants to encourage students to not be afraid to try new things, push themselves past their comfort zone, and be willing to fail. “Failure makes you a more interesting person. Don’t let yourself get bogged down by what you’re not good at.” 

Fauglid hopes to one day pursue a PhD in Mass Communication, but says that more than anything, he wants to find meaning in his work beyond himself.