2026 Annual Conference, Bios

Dr. Jill Abney is the associate director of the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching where she directs CELT’s Teaching Innovation Institute and serves as the associate director of the UK-JHF Holocaust Education Initiative. She also teaches courses for UK’s department of history such as history research methods and war and society. Dr. Abney’s pedagogical research interests include fostering belonging in the classroom and inclusive teaching. As a historian she has a background of research in gender, rhetoric, politics, and power.

As Rural Project Manager for the ELEVATE and RISE Programs, Josh has led employer recruitment and established state-certified apprenticeship sites to expand the Community Health Worker (CHW) and Peer Support workforce. Josh oversees all aspects of the apprenticeship program, ensuring compliance with state regulations, smooth day-to-day operations, and accurate documentation that supports apprentice growth and program outcomes. Josh collaborates with Kentucky Homeplace on various projects to strengthen rural health initiatives and align community resources with workforce development efforts. In addition to program management, he facilitates the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) component of CHW training and delivers advanced upskilling sessions for ELEVATE participants, enhancing their knowledge and competencies in addressing SUD and improving care in rural communities.

Melissa Alperin, more commonly known by her nickname, Moose, is Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) at Emory University. Moose has a long history of leadership in workforce development and public health practice. Currently, she is PI/Director of the Region IV Public Health Training Center and the Kentucky Public Health Emerging Leadership Institute. At Rollins, Moose is also the Director of Online Education.

Moose has an extensive record of service to her Affiliate, the Georgia Public Health Association, and to the American Public Health Association (APHA). Within APHA, Moose’s service extends to the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section; the Council of Affiliates (CoA), where she served as CoA Chair; and the Executive Board, where she served as both Vice Chair and Chair. Moose is the current President-Elect of APHA.

Jenika Andrew is the Workforce Development Coordinator with the Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning (DEHP) at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), bringing five years of dedicated service to advancing public health workforce capacity. Throughout his tenure, he has held key leadership roles including COVID Unit Coordinator and Administrative Team Lead, where he supported operational continuity, cross-team collaboration, and staff engagement during critical response efforts. In her current role, Jenika focuses on workforce development initiatives that strengthen training, onboarding, and professional growth for public health professionals across the division. She is also an active supporter of the DEHP Morale Committee and is deeply committed to fostering a positive, supportive work environment that empowers public health professionals to succeed.

Courtney T. Austin, MS is a dedicated public health professional with experience in harm reduction and data management, with over 5 years of experience Courtney has been shown to be a dedicated worker striving to produce data to enhance data-based programs. He currently serves as the Harm Reduction Epidemiologist for the Harm Reduction Branch at the Kentucky Department for Public Health where he manages data for local health departments syringe service programs.

In his position as Harm Reduction Epidemiologist, he strategizes using local health departments and data collection services to implement the most effective campaign for treating individuals who use substances. With this information he strives to produce stories using the data provided to make sure that every piece of policy, program, and strategy implemented by the Harm Reduction Brach is backed by data and creates progress for local health departments to continue their positive work.

Dr. Henrietta Bada is Mary Jones Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky and, in the past eight years, served as the Director of the Division of Maternal and Child Health of the Kentucky Department for Public Health. After her Pediatric residency and Neonatology fellowship at the University of Louisville, she became a faculty in other academic institutions. For over 20 years, she has dedicated her professional years to serving Kentucky in health care and public health.

Dr. Michael D. Ballard, MCHES serves as the interim dean of the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. He has served in a variety of roles throughout his career in higher education. He also previously served as a member of the Kentucky Public Health Association Board of Directors.

Deena Bell serves as the Workforce Education Section Supervisor in the Public Health Workforce Readiness Branch at the Kentucky Department for Public Health, where she leads efforts to strengthen and support the local and state public health workforce through education, training, and strategic partnerships. Through cross-sector collaboration, she partners with academic institutions and professional organizations to expand professional development opportunities and build a skilled, engaged, and sustainable public health workforce. She holds a Master of Public Administration and brings a background in higher education and behavioral health, which provides a strong foundation in workforce development, collaboration, and applied learning.

Dr. Bhandari is currently the Associate Dean for Grants, Development and External Relations in the EKU College of Health Sciences. She leads the CHS grant pre and post award process, providing support and oversight for all external awards in the college. She is Co-PI/Project Director on a subaward from the University of Kentucky HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program grant and is also PI on a $950,000 workforce development contract with the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Prior to this, she was the Interim Chair and Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Administration and Interim Director of the MPH Program at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where she managed the operating budgets for 3 units, managed the department’s foundation funds which included 3 scholarship funds, provided leadership in curriculum development and program evaluation. Dr. Bhandari’s disciplinary and teaching expertise is in program evaluation. She served as an evaluation consultant for the EnviroHealthLink, the Kentucky LEADS (Lung Cancer Education Awareness Detection Survivorship) Collaborative. She currently serves as a member of the Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Kentucky Steering Committee, an advisory board member for the Southern Kentucky Area Health Education Center and has many years of service on the Kentucky Certification Board for Prevention Professionals. Dr. Bhandari has over 26 years of experience including positions in substance use prevention and academia.

Alaina Brinton is a Project Coordinator with the Land Grant Engagement program at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. A long-time pharmacy technician who worked primarily in sterile compounding, she advanced her interest in public health to earn her MPH from UKCPH, bringing both clinical and public health perspectives to her work. Alaina has strong interests in health policy, data and evaluation, and using storytelling to translate public health impact.

Cameron Burkeen serves as the Harm Reduction Project Manager, Recovery Coach, and Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) for the Purchase District Health Department, located in far western KY. He also serves as the Vice Chair for McCracken County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) and facilitates the Western Kentucky Opioid Taskforce Cameron received his Bachelor’s in Public and Community Health with a concentration in Health and Fitness Management from Murray State University in 2023. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Health and Human from the University of the Cumberlands.

Kyle Burnett is a Rural Project Manager for the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health. Kyle is currently the Project Manager of both the ELEVATE and RISE grants and works to integrate Community Health Workers into the healthcare workforce across Kentucky. Kyle has a unique understanding of the challenges and barriers that face rural Appalachia and has worked his entire career to address these issues.

DeAnna Butler is the Health Education Supervisor at the Grayson County Health Department, where she oversees community-based education initiatives focused on injury prevention, maternal and child health, and family safety. She has experience developing and delivering a wide range of health education programs using engaging, evidence-informed approaches tailored to diverse audiences. Her work is grounded in a people-centered approach, emphasizing trust, compassion, and strong community partnerships to enhance the reach and effectiveness of local public health initiatives.

Dr. Lori Caloia is Deputy Commissioner for Clinical Affairs at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Her passion for public health began when she served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon, where her duties included oversight of base-wide public health programs. She has broad experience in healthcare, including primary care, academic medicine, public health, and Medicaid and commercial health plans. She previously served as medical director at Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. Dr. Caloia received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, a Leadership Certificate in Public Health from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Master of Public Health Degree from Kent State University. She is board certified in family medicine.

Janie Cambron has more than 20 years of experience in public health practice and academia. She serves as the inaugural Director of Land Grant Engagement in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, advancing the land-grant mission by fostering reciprocal partnerships with Cooperative Extension, the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, community organizations, state and local public health agencies, and professional associations. Her work emphasizes building sustainable collaborations that strengthen communities, advance experiential learning, and support the development of future leaders.

Angela Carman, DrPH, associate professor, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Endowed chair in Health Policy, also serves as a consultant to local health departments and hospitals. Dr. Carman received her DrPH from the University of Kentucky, MBA from Eastern Kentucky University and BS in Business Administration from Berea College. Her research focuses on public health practice. Prior to UK, Dr. Carman served as critical-access hospital CEO.

Ashley Carroll has been working with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) since June 2022. She served as an intern for the Center for Foundational Health for one year before being hired as the team’s LHD Workforce Training Program Administrator in May 2023. In her role, Ashley provides support to the Kentucky Health Departments Association (KHDA) on LHD-related workforce development initiatives. She also coordinates with KDPH and other organizations to support LHD employee training, education, and professional development initiatives. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Science from Messiah University and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kentucky.

Maria Church is an ADA Coordinator and Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Program Coordinator with extensive experience in emergency preparedness, public health, and community resilience. A U.S. Navy veteran, she has served in leadership roles with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Lexington Division of Emergency Management, coordinating inclusive preparedness and response initiatives for vulnerable populations. Maria is skilled in policy development, outreach, training, and program evaluation. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she also leads community engagement for the nonprofit organization Immigrant Initiative, which supports immigrant families and advances equitable access to education and emergency services.

Ryan M. Combs, Ph.D., M.A. is an Associate Professor of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville. Primarily, Dr. Combs studies the impact of health policies and practices on underrepresented and historically marginalized populations. He and his research teams conduct qualitative and community-based participatory research in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders such as community members and groups, patient populations, policymakers, public health professionals, and health care providers.

Daniel B. Cooper is an epidemiologist at the Kentucky Department for Public Health with extensive experience in population health and healthcare data analysis. He currently specializes in wastewater-based epidemiology, using R, Python, and Shiny to transform viral surveillance into actionable public health insights. A proponent of data modernization, Daniel focuses on building automated pipelines and reproducible tools that empower domain experts to use their own data. His work is centered on making the emerging science of wastewater surveillance practical and accessible for evidence-based decision-making.

Kathleen Croley serves as a Health Educator at the Whitley County Health Department, where she leads initiatives focused on community health education, mental health, harm reduction, and strategic planning. With a Bachelor of Science in Education, Kathleen brings more than 30 years of expertise in HANDS and health education. She was recently awarded the 2025 Whitley County Health Department Equity Award for her fierce dedication and advocacy.

Maddey Culbertson is a research apprentice at the Center for Public Health Systems and Services Research. She has experience in both local and state public health settings, where she contributed to community health initiatives and infectious disease investigations.

Maddey holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Management and Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, both from the University of Kentucky. Her interests include social determinants of health, community-based research, and the integration of healthcare and public health systems.

Lindsey Dierenfield is an Epidemiologist with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, where she focuses on HIV/AIDS Prevention. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and applies an equity-centered, interdisciplinary lens to her public health work. Lindsey is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion at Eastern Kentucky University to further strengthen community-driven and evidence-based HIV Prevention efforts.

Jennifer Duncan is the Mpox Prevention Coordinator and an Epidemiologist with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). A Louisville native, she earned a BA in Anthropology from Eckerd College, an MPH from the Tulane University School of Public Health, and deepened her commitment to public health as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana from 2016–2018. Before entering state service, she supported HIV prevention and PrEP implementation efforts with USAID across West Africa. Since joining KDPH in 2020, Jennifer has worked across multiple programs, building partnerships with local health departments, community-based organizations, academic partners, and public health practitioners to advance equitable prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Amanda Fallin-Bennett is an Associate Professor at the UK College of Nursing, a co-founder of Voices of Hope (a recovery community organization), and a member of the Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health. Dr. Fallin-Bennett is a passionate advocate for access to evidence-based recovery, treatment, and harm reduction services. She is also the co=Project Lead of the UK Harm Reduction Hub.

Dr. Zach S. Farley holds a PhD in Prevention Science with a specialization in Educational Data Science and a focus on School and Community Health Promotion from the University of Oregon, and a Master of Public Health(MPH) and bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Previously, he worked in epidemiology for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department (Chattanooga, TN) and served as a Summer Cancer Research Fellow in the National Cancer Institute’s, Health Behavior Research Branch. Dr. Farley conducts community-based public health research and is committed to be of service to his community in the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and equitable distribution of health promoting resources.

Dr. Ferrell is a maternal and child health epidemiologist at the Kentucky Department for Public Health, where she has worked for nearly a dozen years. In this capacity she has led a variety of projects relating to preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and early childhood. Her professional interests include program planning and evaluation, data linkage, and mentorship. She holds a DrPH in public health leadership from the University of South Florida.

Katie Gardner, RN, BSN, is a public health nurse and health educator with 18 years of experience, including clinical care, harm reduction and infectious disease care and prevention. Katie currently serves on the board of the Kentucky Youth Health Network, which works to create public awareness of health risks and promote healthy outcomes for Kentucky youth. In her role as Viral Hepatitis Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Katie focuses on increasing hepatitis C education, prevention, and linkage in communities most impacted by hepatitis C and the overdose epidemic.

Dr. Giesbrecht received her DVM from the University of Florida, an MPH from the University of Texas with an emphasis in epidemiology. She spent 4 years in private practice for small animals, equines and exotic animals. Then she joined the United States Air Force and was on active duty for 11 years as a Military Public Health Officer and epidemiologist. While in the USAF, she taught for 3 years at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX. She joined the Northern Kentucky Health Department as an epidemiologist in 2009 and then the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Epidemiology, as the State Public Health Veterinarian in June, 2017.

Anne Goodman has worked for the Kentucky Department for Public Health as a Regional Epidemiologist since 2024. She served the Buffalo Trace/Gateway Region until 2025, before transitioning to serving the Bluegrass Region, which includes 8 counties in central Kentucky where her primary duties include outbreak investigation coordination and supporting local disease surveillance. She has been a part-time faculty member for the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University since 2024, previously working for the university as a graduate assistant and the Coordinator of Violence Prevention. Anne graduated from EKU with her BSPH with a minor in Women and Gender Studies in 2022, and her MPH in 2024.

Virginia Hamilton is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Certified in Public Health (CPH) and holding a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky along with a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia. She began her Public Health career with the Kentucky Food Safety Branch, where she previously served as coordinator for several state-wide programs including home-based processing, body art, labeling compliance, and the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) grant. Virginia is now the Environmental Consultant coordinating state-wide quality assurance standardizations for Local Health Department Environmental services. She is involved in several public health associations including the Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States (AFDOSS) where she acted as board president from 2023-2024.

Lindsey Hammerslag, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics, at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience, health services research, and public health informatics, with a focus on improving outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder. Dr. Hammerslag leads statewide data infrastructure projects that support public health decision-making in Kentucky, including the development of interactive dashboards and data capture tools for opioid response initiatives. She is a co-investigator on several NIH-funded studies and a steering committee member for the State-University Partnership Learning Network, advocating for cross-agency data collaborations that inform equitable, evidence-based care and public health interventions.

Chase Herrmann is a current doctoral student serving as the epidemiologist for the Bullitt County Health Department. He has specific interests in statistical modeling and epidemiologic methods. His research experience has spanned environmental toxins, behavioral health hospitalizations, prostate and colorectal cancer, and food access.

Brooke Hiltz is a Research Program Administrator at the UK College of Public Health. She provides support to multiple projects at the University of Kentucky focusing on harm reduction. She is also the Project Director for the UK Harm Reduction Hub.

Dr. Abby Hoffman received her PhD in Education Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Maryland at College Park. She has more than 25 years of experience in the education and public health fields. As an applied researcher, she brings her expertise in implementation science, qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies, and learning processes to her current role as the CHES Project Evaluator for KY MARK.

James House has worked for the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) since December 1, 2007. During his years of employment with KDPH, he has served as the Harm Reduction Program Administrator, Public Health Preparedness Branch Manager/Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director, Hospital Preparedness Program Manager, Emergency Support Function #8 Planning Coordinator and the Exercise Program Coordinator. Currently, he is the Workforce Director for the Public Health Infrastructure Grant responsible for developing workforce development programs through the Public Health Workforce Readiness Branch, Division of Public Health Protection and Safety. James supervises eight employees and is the Chairperson of KDPH’s Public Health Workforce Readiness Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Kentucky Public Health Association’s Workforce Development Committee.

In his current role, Harrison provides consultation for holistic data analysis processes for a variety of programs, many of which are statewide. In his capacity as a performance consultant, Harrison provides expertise for designing evaluation tools and large data collection instruments, ensures these instruments produce the highest possible quality data, uses his epidemiologic background to implement data analysis best practices and methods, and translates results through easily interpretable visualizations and statistics for quantitative and qualitative data.

Dr. Johnson is the program manager for the Kentucky Wastewater Surveillance System. She is a certified industrial hygienist (CIH) and was previously an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She is also the environmental technical advisor to the Legionella Response Team. Her interests include accurate exposure measurement, risk management, and risk communication.

Dr. Oshea Johnson is a sociologist with multidisciplinary research and practical public health experience spanning fields of medical sociology, public health, behavioral health, epidemiology, and criminology. Dr. Johnson currently serves as an independent research consultant, providing expert qualitative research support, data analysis, and project management for a qualitative research study within the Viral Hepatitis Program at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) as well as two NIH-funded R01 studies. Prior to independent consulting, Dr. Johnson worked at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a Regional Behavioral Health Advisor serving eight southeastern states and six federally recognized tribes. Before joining SAMHSA, Dr. Johnson completed a two-year applied epidemiology fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, stationed in the Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning at KDPH.

Lauren W. Kathman, MS, CPH, is the Programs Manager of Harm Reduction programs at the Northern Kentucky Health Department. She provides oversight for program development, grants management, and daily operations of the Northern Kentucky Harm Reduction Programs, which address local substance use and public health priorities. Her program portfolio includes the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) program, a comprehensive Hepatitis C, HIV, and Syphilis testing outreach program, and community-based initiatives focused on overdose education and naloxone distribution.

Lauren W. Kathman, MS, CPH, is the Programs Manager of Harm Reduction programs at the Northern Kentucky Health Department. She provides oversight for program development, grants management, and daily operations of the Northern Kentucky Harm Reduction Programs, which address local substance use and public health priorities. Her program portfolio includes the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) program, a comprehensive Hepatitis C, HIV, and Syphilis testing outreach program, and community-based initiatives focused on overdose education and naloxone distribution.

Kaitlyn Krolikowski is the Public Health Director for the Purchase District Health Department (PDHD) which serves McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton Counties in far western KY. She received her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Informatics from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017 and is pursuing her DrPH from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Kaitlyn started her career at PDHD as a Health Educator advancing through administration to eventually become the Director. She has managed over $7 million in direct federal grants creating programs and projects in partnership to address social determinants of health.

Alexis Lackey is an epidemiologist at the Kentucky Department for Public Health in the Reportable Disease Section. As part of the vector-borne disease team, she collects and analyzes surveillance data on a variety of vectors and conditions. Alexis is also a student at Eastern Kentucky University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 2024 and is a Master of Public Health candidate for 2026.

Sam Lawton is a Data Analyst at the Northern Kentucky Health Department, specializing in quantitative and qualitative data capture and analysis. He received his Master of Science in Public Health from Emory University in 2023. Having previously worked as a viral hepatitis epidemiologist, Sam provides interdivisional data support to promote public health activities including surveillance, testing, and investigations.

Chad Lynch has worked 25 years in the Public Health field. His first 23 years of public health service started at the local level, working at two different local health departments, Bullitt County Health Department and Oldham County Health Department. During his time with the local health departments, he has served as Health Educator, Environmentalist, Preparedness Coordinator, and Environmental Health Director. Chad Lynch has worked for the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) in the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety (PHPS) since December 16, 2023. During his time with PHPS, he has served as the Environmental Health Capacity Manager and currently serves as the Technical Advisor and Chief Administrator for Environmental Health Programs. In his current role, he oversees the Environmental Management Branch, Food Safety Branch and the Public Safety Branch within PHPS.

Jamie Madden has a great deal of life experience with overcoming addiction and helping others to do the same. She works daily helping those in addiction find the resources and support they need to live healthier lifestyles. She also helps those individuals in recovery overcome the barriers they face to maintain sobriety.

Dr. Lauren McClain is an evaluation consultant and former tenured sociologist who partners with coalitions, nonprofits, and public agencies to strengthen community-driven planning and decision-making. Her work focuses on community health assessments, mixed-methods evaluation, and translating data into actionable insights that support health improvement efforts. She brings a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to evaluation, with experience working across public health, education, and community-based systems. Lauren is especially committed to approaches that elevate community voice and produce findings that are both rigorous and usable.

Elizabeth McGuire serves as the Director of Health Education at the Bullitt County Health Department, where she leads a comprehensive team dedicated to promoting community wellness and reducing health risks across Bullitt County. With nearly two decades of public health experience, she has developed, implemented, and evaluated a wide range of health education programs focused on prevention, chronic disease management, and healthy living. Elizabeth holds a Master of Science in Health Science from Northern Kentucky University and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. She is a certified facilitator for several nationally recognized programs, including Freedom from Smoking, WE CAN, Body Recall, and Safe Sitter, and serves as an American Heart Association CPR and First Aid instructor.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to public service. She was honored with the Sara C. Stice Award for Outstanding Health Education in Kentucky and received the Bullitt County Citizenship Award from the Chamber of Commerce. A former Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute Scholar, she continues to be a strong advocate for collaboration, prevention, and community engagement in public health.

Lyndsi McNally is a dedicated public health leader and administrator specializing in community intervention and governance. She currently manages the Harm Reduction Department at the Three Rivers District Health Department, overseeing life-saving programs for rural communities. Committed to public health policy, Mrs. McNally holds two key governance roles: she serves as the Board Liaison for the Three Rivers Board of Health and is the Chief of Staff, Government and Legislative Affairs for the Kentucky Association of Local Boards of Health (KALBOH), where she leads statewide advocacy efforts. She is currently furthering her expertise as a student in Public Health at Eastern Kentucky University.

Krista Mevoli is a waterborne disease epidemiologist at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. She serves on the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Legionnaires’ Disease Workshop Planning Committee. Krista volunteers on the Building Epidemiology Capacity across Kentucky (BECKY) Data Modernization/Public Health Infrastructure Committee Chair. She recently completed the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential and cohort 5 of the CSTE Leading Epidemiologists, Advancing Data (LEAD) 12-month leadership program for mid-career epidemiologists. Outside of work she enjoys reading, gardening, and paint by number alongside her husband, two teenage sons, two dogs, and two cats.

Nikki Miller is the Human Resources Manager at the Marshall County Health Department, a role she assumed in 2024. She has been with the organization for four years and a total of 19 years in the healthcare field. Nikki earned her Master of Business Administration in 2023 and is committed to supporting organizational excellence through effective human resources leadership.

Trevor Moffitt is an Assistant Professor of Health and Exercise Science at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. Trevor's work focuses on elevating the voices of individuals with lived experience of substance use, especially in research spaces. Trevor also integrates AI into the classroom with his students and has presented on public health applications for AI.

Adria Neal is a public health policy analyst focused on advancing health equity through research, policy, and community-centered work. She serves on the Equity Infrastructure Team at the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness, where she supports staff training, program evaluation, and departmental equity initiatives. Her background spans public health, addiction recovery, education, and nonprofit leadership. A graduate of the University of Louisville and current Master’s in Public Administration and Policy candidate at American University, Adria is passionate about translating research into action and building coalitions that drive meaningful change.

Doni is seasoned public health expert with over 25 years of global experience in clinical and public health contexts. Adept at translating complex health data into actionable policies and interventions. Proven track record in qualitative research, systematic reviews, and data analysis, with a focus on improving health outcomes and addressing disparities.

Mary Elizabeth Pendergrass is the Public Health Policy and Practice Apprentice with Team Up: a Public Health Academic Practice Collaborative, an initiative supported by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Her interests include public health practice, assessment, and community engagement, which she applies through applied scholarship and collaborative community organizing.

Melissa Phillips has worked for the Lincoln Trail District Health Department for 21 years. Beginning her career in public health in health education, Melissa has also worked in harm reduction, coalition building, and policy development. In the spring of 2023, she became the agency's first Public Relations Officer, a role that grew from her duties as part of the district's Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Public Relations Officer, Melissa handles community relations, marketing, advertising, and oversees the agency's website, social media platforms, and smartphone app.

Sarah Preston is the Microbiology Branch Manager for the Division of Laboratory Services within the Kentucky Department of Public Health. She works to ensure accurate and timely testing within Bacteriology, Sequencing and Virology sections and ensures compliance with accreditation standards. She is currently pursuing her DrPH in Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science in Practice with the University of South Florida on a scholarship from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and received the CPH certification in November of 2025.

Kimberly Randolph is a 38-year-old mother of four and a dedicated Peer Support Specialist and Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) with the Purchase District Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program in far western Kentucky. She also serves as the Paducah Chapter Lead for Young People in Recovery, advocating for individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Kimberly is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Media and Technology from the University of Phoenix.

Allison Robinson is the Drug-Free Communities Coordinator for Bullitt County Public Schools, where she leads youth substance use prevention efforts and coordinates the Bullitt County Youth Coalition. With a background in justice administration and chemical dependency counseling, Allison has over 15 years of experience in public service, including roles in social services and corrections. She is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, healthequity, and community collaboration, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Liberty University.

As Public Health Director for Pike County, Tammy Riley promotes community health across private, public, and governmental sectors to expand access to care for residents. She currently serves as President of the Kentucky Health Departments Association and is committed to advancing prevention efforts and improving health outcomes statewide.

Sara Robeson is a graduate of Centre College and received her Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Kentucky. In 2022, she retired from the Kentucky Department for Public Health where she was a senior epidemiologist concentrating on infectious disease, environmental and injury epidemiology. She was also the KDPH liaison to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Kentucky for over 15 years. Ms. Robeson is currently the Community Engagement Liaison for the Rapid Actionable Data for Opioid Response in Kentucky (RADOR-KY) program at the University of Kentucky.

Lauren Roehr is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky studying public health on the pre-med track, and she aspires to become a family medicine physician in the military. Her interests are finding the intersections between public health and medicine and finding new and alternative public health interventions to improve the health of the population overall. With aspirations of becoming a military physician, she has a strong interest in emergency preparedness and in identifying effective practices and trainings to enhance readiness for future disasters.

Allison Robinson is the Drug-Free Communities Coordinator for Bullitt County Public Schools, where she leads youth substance use prevention efforts and coordinates the Bullitt County Youth Coalition. With a background in justice administration and chemical dependency counseling, Allison has over 15 years of experience in public service, including roles in social services and corrections. She is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, health equity, and community collaboration, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Liberty University.

Samir Kumar Sarker Rony is a second-year PhD student in Public Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville. His research focuses on mental health, and nutrition with particular emphasis on health equity, social determinants of health, and theory-driven public health interventions among marginalized and underserved populations. Employing qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, his work examines healthy decision-making processes and help-seeking behaviors within structurally constrained contexts, which informs public health policy and practice.

Grace Ryan is an Epidemiologist at the Northern Kentucky Health Department, where she specializes in hepatitis surveillance and regional investigations. She earned her Master of Public Health from Ohio University in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health through the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Brian Simmons is a seasoned and engaging Human Resources professional dedicated to building thriving workplaces. He is an alumnus of the 2024 - 2025 Region IV Public Health KY-PHELI Cohort. As the Human Resources Administrative Services Manager at Lake Cumberland District Health Department, he leverages over three decades of experience to advance public health initiatives through strategic workforce planning, recruitment, leadership development, performance management and employment law compliance. Holding the esteemed Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation, Brian is a recognized expert in cultivating resilient and adaptable public health workforces.

Dr. Allison Siu is a U.S. Public Health Service veterinarian serving as a CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officer (CEFO) assigned to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. She obtained her bachelor’s and Masters of Public Health degrees from the University of Louisville prior to completing her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. As a CEFO, Dr. Siu provides epidemiology expertise and is engaged in building epidemiology and emergency preparedness and response capacity throughout the state of Kentucky.

Whitney Sizemore, MSN, RN, is a public health nurse leader with extensive experience in HIV clinical quality improvement, technical assistance, and nursing education at the state level. She currently serves as a Technical Assistance & Outreach Nurse Supervisor with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, where she leads statewide efforts supporting Ryan White–funded programs, clinical quality management, and compliance with HRSA guidelines. Whitney brings a strong background in quality improvement, workforce training, and frontline clinical care, and was recognized as the 2025 Public Health Nurse Leadership Award winner for her contributions to public health in Kentucky.

Dr. Svetla Slavova is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and serves as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. She is the contact Principal Investigator for the Rapid Actionable Data for Opioid Response in Kentucky (RADOR-KY), a project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Dr. Slavova has led multiple federally funded projects supported by the CDC, FDA, and DOJ, focusing on leveraging data and advanced analytics to inform drug overdose prevention strategies and public health policy. In recognition of her contributions to community health, she received the 2018 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award from the Lexington-Fayette County Board of Health.

Chris Smith, RN-BSN is an Overdose Prevention Liaison working in the Harm Reduction Branch at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. In this role, he manages the statewide naloxone access and training website, Find Naloxone Now KY, while working strategically with government partners and community-based organizations to develop and coordinate Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution across the commonwealth.

Morgan received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee (2014) followed by her Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Florida (2017). Her public health career began in Florida, where she conducted tick and mosquito-borne disease research. She then worked for the Florida Department for Public Health for 3 years before moving to Kentucky as a local epidemiologist for North Central District Health Department in 2020. Morgan transitioned to the North Central/Three Rivers Regional Epi role with the Kentucky Department for Public health (KDPH) in 2021 and in 2023 became the Vector-borne Disease Epidemiologist for KDPH which is the position she currently holds.

Alison O. Spiller, MPH, currently serves as the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Coordinator for the Northern Kentucky Health Department. In this role, she synthesizes data from medical records, toxicology reports and death investigations to identify critical trends within the evolving drug landscape. By uniting multi-disciplinary partners, including law enforcement, EMS, and clinical experts, she facilitates collaborative case reviews to develop targeted overdose prevention strategies.

Daniel Stupp is a policy analyst with Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, working in the Division for Population Health on the Equity Infrastructure team. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. With four years of experience in public health, Daniel focuses on advancing organizational development through innovative approaches in education, research, and evaluation. Through his role, he contributes to advancing the organization’s mission by shaping programs and policies that prioritize equity.

With over a decade of experience in public health, Molly brings deep expertise in grant administration, systems change, and statewide program leadership. She leads Kentucky’s HRSA EHE efforts, overseeing a multimillion-dollar federal grant and managing diverse subrecipient partners to drive measurable impact. Her work focuses on expanding routine HIV testing, strengthening linkage to care, and addressing structural barriers to treatment across the Commonwealth. Known for strategic vision, collaboration, and results-driven leadership, she plays a key role in advancing Kentucky’s goal to end the HIV epidemic.

Elizabeth Tennison has been with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department since 2015 and serves as the Public Health Impacts Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Master of Public Health from Western Kentucky University. Elizabeth oversees accreditation, organizational planning, community health epidemiology, performance improvement, and compliance. She also serves as a Director at Large for the Kentucky Public Health Association and the President of the Kentucky Local Health Department Academy of Science Group.

Rebecca first came to The Hub in April 2024 as a volunteer seeking sober support and guidance, never expecting to one day become part of the team. What began as a step toward her own healing eventually grew into opportunities through AmeriCorps, KRDHD, and now her role as Team Lead.

Beth Vanover has been a regional epidemiologist with Kentucky Department for Public Health since 2022. She serves the Cumberland Valley region, an eight-county southeastern portion of the state, with primary duties including outbreak investigation coordination and supporting local disease surveillance. Beth is a graduate from Eastern Kentucky University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 2018, and Master of Public Health in 2020. Following graduation, she began her public health career working as a COVID-19 disease investigator for 2 years, before transitioning as the region's epidemiologist.

Dr. Jonathan Vorbeck is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Eastern Kentucky University. He holds an Ed.D. in Leadership, Policy Studies, and Social Justice, an MPH, and is Certified in Public Health (CPH), with research and professional experience focused on academic–practice partnerships and strengthening public health systems. Prior to academia, he spent ten years in local governmental public health and currently serves as a volunteer site visitor for the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), having completed 20 accreditation site visits nationwide since 2018.

Briana Wagner is a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiologist at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Originally from Kentucky, she previously served as a Chronic Disease Epidemiologist in Baltimore City as a Council of State and Territorial Applied Epidemiology Fellow before returning home. In her current role, she supports several MCH programs and statewide initiatives including HANDS, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, and the Title V MCH Block Grant by analyzing data to strengthen outreach, monitor trends, and establish priority areas to improve health outcomes for Kentucky's women, children, and families.

Juanita (JJ) Wallace is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Health and Exercise Science at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. Her current work has focused on the liberal arts, pedagogical practices using engaged learning strategies, and integrating technology into the classroom. Her research has focused on emerging and novel technologies like extended realities (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Geremew Wana is a Ph.D. fellow in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville and a public health professional with over a decade of leadership experience that spans academia and public health industry, including community engagement and policy development. His work integrates scholarly research with practical implementation, focusing on mental health promotion and service access among disenfranchised populations. He uses rigorous mixed-methods approaches and technologies, including spatial analysis and qualitative inquiry, to bridge social and structural determinants of health. He is also a Graduate Research Assistant on the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline workforce project.

Phoebe A. Wheeler-Crum, MPA, MA Ed, is a public health professional specializing in community-based overdose prevention, behavioral health, and community-based education. As the Training Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, she leads statewide training initiatives supporting Kentucky’s CDC-funded Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) efforts and strengthens the capacity of public health professionals across the Commonwealth. She is committed to advancing evidence-based, person-centered approaches that empower individuals and communities.

Sierra Williams is the Rural Project Manager at the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard, Kentucky, where she leads initiatives that support rural communities, including the Healthcare Worker Loan Relief Program of the Commonwealth. She also serves as a member of the Kentucky Core for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded RURAL Heart and Lung Study, conducted in partnership with the University of Louisville. With diverse experience in healthcare and research, Sierra focuses on strengthening the rural health workforce and translating community-identified needs into actionable strategies that improve health outcomes. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, a Master of Health Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree.

Dr. Jamie Woolery, the Student Engagement Director within the College of Health Sciences at EKU has led the creation of a new Center for Retention, Progression and Graduation and is developing a space to engage students in work that will support success and retention efforts and progress into graduation and the workforce. Under her leadership, the center is developing success coaches’ models, peer academic tutoring support, workshops, and speaker series along with cutting edge technology to retain students into graduation. She is the Co-Director with the Baptist Health Richmond Director of Education for the Medical Explorers Academy, a two year program for high school juniors and seniors designed to provide experiences and opportunities to both on campus and in hospital settings to showcase various healthcare professions. She is a Board of Directors member for the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation. She is director of the innovative Healthcare Exploration and Academic Transition (HEAT) program focusing on immersive experiences for high school students seeking healthcare fields. Dr. Woolery’s research centers around first-generation college/low-Income students in leadership positions and supporting first-generation/low-income college students. For the last 10+ years, she has been involved in recruitment and retention work with underserved populations to progress through the enrollment funnel and enroll and retain to graduation.