Teresa Christie Santilus calls Tucson home and serves as a Public Health Technician with the United States Air Force. Over the past two years, Teresa has held roles as a Social Service Assistant at the Veteran Affairs, a Border Response Specialist with the Pima County Health Department, and now in the Air National Guard. These experiences have enriched Teresa’s commitment to equitable care, community outreach, and advocacy for individuals facing challenges related to housing, health, and safety.

Currently, Teresa manages electronic medical records systems—including ASIMS and Citrix—for the Occupational Health Hearing Conservation program within the Tucson Air National Guard, ensuring smooth operations that support the health of service members. Teresa is especially proud of her time supporting the HUD-VASH program at the Tucson VA, where she assisted Veterans experiencing homelessness in accessing critical resources and services.

Her dedication to health equity and social justice is deeply informed by her work with vulnerable populations, such as asylum seekers and Veterans, advocating for fair and inclusive services tailored to the unique needs of underserved communities. To Teresa, leadership means embracing the Stacey Abrams quote “You don’t have to be visible to lead.”