Tell us about yourself.
I am a dedicated and data-driven public health practitioner and educator from Notasulga, Alabama, with more than seven years of experience in community health, applied public health practice, and secondary and higher education. As a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), my work focuses on program evaluation, health education, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies that empower individuals and communities to make healthier choices. Currently, I serve as the Community Health Specialist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s High Obesity Program (HOP) in Alabama. In this role, I identify, develop, implement, and evaluate PSE strategies in food pantries and other community-based settings to advance nutrition and active transportation objectives across 12 counties. I also lead a Food is Medicine Produce Prescription program, which increases access to fresh fruits and vegetables among rural residents while supporting chronic disease prevention efforts. I also serve as an adjunct instructor at both the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) and Samford University, where I teach public health courses focused on health communication and program planning, implementation, and evaluation. In addition, I serve as a Faculty Advisor at UAGC, guiding Master of Public Health students through practicum completion and supporting their transition from academic learning to applied public health practice.
Why did you pursue a DrPH?
I pursued a DrPH because of its strong emphasis on practical application. I wanted to develop the skills, knowledge, and academic foundation to work directly in the field and make a meaningful impact. The DrPH provided that opportunity while also equipping me to conduct research and design programs that move rural communities forward. I believe my life’s mission is to teach and serve, and the DrPH aligned perfectly with these goals by preparing me to do both in a way that is practical and informed.
What are you currently excited about in your job?
What excites me most about my job is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the communities I serve. As a Community Health Specialist from rural Alabama who now works in rural Alabama, I have the unique privilege of partnering directly with community stakeholders to identify local needs and develop practical solutions. I understand firsthand how a person’s environment influences their health decisions, and I take that responsibility seriously. My work primarily focuses on implementing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes that make the healthy choice the easy, default choice. I also value the relationships I build through this work. I collaborate with food pantries, grocery stores, county commissioners, community health workers, and other partners who are equally committed to improving community health. Together, we build on existing efforts and identify new opportunities to create lasting, positive change.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
If I were to write a book about my life, the title would be Phoenix Rising. My journey has included its share of challenges, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I have used each one as fuel to grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
What is something interesting about you that we should know?
Something interesting about me is that I was the valedictorian of my graduating class, a first-generation college graduate, and the first of only two individuals in my family to earn a doctoral degree—all before the age of 27.
