Bulfer graduated from UMN Morris in 1977 with a biology degree, then went on to earn a master’s degree in human nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She worked in the city of Bloomington’s public health department, which also serves the cities of Richfield and Edina and is one of only two city health departments in Minnesota. Her work has also included education–from the communities she serves to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Bulfer has used her skills to make public health systems better. She was instrumental in designing, implementing, and evaluating population-based approaches such as policy and systems changes. For example, Bulfer was instrumental in developing a toolkit to train public health providers who work directly with BIPOC families and communities, developed a nutrition education program for refugees as part of a USDA Demonstration project, and was one of two local public health professionals assigned to work with the Minnesota Department of Health to develop the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership or SHIP program to improve health and decrease the rate of chronic diseases in Minnesota.
Bulfer also worked to improve the nutritional quality of foods and beverages available at city-owned concessions stands and worked closely with staff at the state’s largest food shelf to develop the first combined commercial/teaching kitchen in a Minnesota food shelf. This kitchen means that excess food such as bananas that normally were sent to composting sites could be made into healthy banana bread to be distributed to food shelf clients. These efforts resulted in improved health and decreased the rate of chronic diseases.
Throughout her career, Bulfer distinguished herself not just as a public health official, but as someone who contributes to her community. One of her nominators noted that “Joan is not only known for her expertise in community health and nutrition but also for her ability to work with a variety of people, bringing them together to accomplish more than they could on their own.”
Through Bulfer’s mentorship, at least one of her colleagues came to understand and fall in love with both local government and public health. Bulfer set an example on how to work genuinely and respectfully with many different communities to the point that one of her colleagues advises others to “find your Joan–an ally that can walk alongside the community, empower them to use their voice and break down institutional barriers.”
Bulfer also was active in the public health Covid-19 response, developing strategies to assist the BIPOC community in the pandemic. She worked the front lines in staffing vaccination clinics.
Even in retirement, Bulfer continues to provide support in obtaining appropriate funding for projects promoting the health of children and adults in general, as well as specifically to immigrants, and the BIPOC community.
