Rural Health Innovation Program

Violet Bolstridge

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Bolstridge (she/her), MSW, has worked in a variety of social service roles since 2010. She currently serves as the Special Populations Section Supervisor with the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services where she oversees crisis services and various other behavioral health initiatives. She leads a team that is working to implement and improve all aspects of the Crisis Now Model and support implementation of Medicaid billing for crisis services. Bolstridge received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in applied psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara before earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Montana. She is passionate about contributing to the development of innovative solutions for behavioral health system expansion in rural and frontier areas.

Tyler Braasch

Ohio

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Braasch (he/him) is the Emergency Response and Special Project Coordinator at the Clermont County Public Health Department in Ohio. He manages the preparedness programs, and he assists with accreditation and quality improvement for the Health District. Braasch is engaged in collaboration locally and regionally in southwest Ohio. He graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

Benedicta Bras

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Bras (she/her) currently works at the Lake County Environmental Health Department as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. From performing health inspections and enforcing health and safety standards for food manufacturing, retail sales, schools, and public accommodation facilities, to ensuring proper wastewater treatment and disposal through permitting, she is dedicated to helping improve the overall health and welfare of her rural community. Prior to working for Lake County, Bras held a research associate position at the Flathead Lake Biological Station. She grew up in Indonesia and attended Montana State University, where she received her BS in Chemical Engineering.

Alyssa Carlisle

New Hampshire

Concentration: Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Carlisle (she/her) has been an Analyst with JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc (JSI), a public health consulting organization, since 2018. In her current role, she works on several public health projects in the areas of rural health, program evaluation, substance use disorder and mental health services, and maternal and child health. She manages the HRSA-funded Treating Addiction in Rural Areas ECHO project, which provides training and peer consultation to behavioral health and recovery support service providers in northern New England. She also supports several state Department of Health rural and primary care offices in their work assessing workforce capacity and allocating resources to rural areas. Prior to working in public health, she was a Research Assistant at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and worked in social work at a rural NH county nursing home through UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy’s Winant Fellowship program. Carlisle received her BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire.

Julie Cross

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Cross (she/her) is a family medicine physician and medical director at Logan Health Eureka in NW Montana. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Missouri State University and her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing. She did her family medicine residency at St Lawrence hospital in Lansing, Michigan where she also served as chief resident. She is looking forward to bringing her experience as a long-time clinician to the conversation about health policy in rural America.

Heather Michelle Foley

Oregon

Concentration: Food, Nutrition and Population Health

Foley (she/her) is a Nationally Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse with diverse clinical interests in rural health, pediatric medicine, and community health education. Living on the rural coast of Oregon and working at Partners in Health has reaffirmed Foley’s strong research interests in epidemiology, teaching, and LGBTQIA+ healthcare. Foley is a proud member of the Rural Nurse Organization and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society. While working at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Foley earned her Master of Liberal Arts Degree in Extension Studies from Harvard University concentrating in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine. Additionally, Foley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Simmons College. Foley has taught environmental science coursework in Mexico and earned her Certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the University of Miami.

Rebecca Gabriel

Texas

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Gabriel (she/her) is a general dentist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is currently serving as a commissioned corps officer of the US Public Health Service and providing dental care for underserved populations in federal facilities. Prior to her commission, Gabriel owned a private dental practice for 16 years in rural South-Central Texas serving as the only full-time dentist in a 20-mile radius. She is passionate about dentistry and improving access to care in rural communities. She received her bachelor’s degree in Multi-Cultural Studies from the University of Rochester and her dental degree from the University of Iowa. She also completed a general practice residency at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center prior to entering private practice.

Anabelle Garza

California

Concentration: Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Garza (she/her) grew up in the small, rural town of Laton, California. She earned her B.S. in Human Development and minor in Sociology from the University of California, Davis, where she became involved in a research lab, worked directly with rural communities throughout the Sacramento area and developed an interest in public health. In 2020, Garza returned to her hometown and started a position at the Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC), a local non-profit located in Fresno, CA, that aims to provide education and services related to improving environmental health policies in the Central Valley. Garza currently works as a Research Manager for the Environmental Health Research Division at CCAC, overseeing multiple research projects assessing health effects of both indoor and outdoor air pollution exposures. She works alongside researchers and scientists from academic institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCSF and Lawrence Berkeley National lab to lead field data collection processes throughout Central Valley counties like Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare. Through this work, she has developed an interest in learning more about human health and disease prevention. She aspires to further her education in public health research data analysis and become an influential contributor to the improvement of public health programs and policies.

Megan Griffith

Montana

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Griffith (she/her) was born and raised in a small central Montana town of 300 people. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree in 2014 from Montana State University – Northern and obtained her Certified Asthma Educator credential in 2024. Griffith is currently the lead clinic RN at the rural health clinic in Roundup MT, where she has worked since 2016. She is passionate about the care she gives to her patients and dedicated to ensuring flexible community resources exist and continue to expand for future generations. Griffith has organized community and facility activities for National Rural Health Day to foster awareness of and increase support for rural health. With the foundational belief that humanity and compassion are at the center of public health, she looks forward to learning and achieving with her UC Berkeley cohorts.

Hanna Haislip

Tennessee

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Haislip (she/her) currently works as a home-health nurse for Maxim Healthcare in Tennessee. Her firsthand experience supporting families in complex caregiving roles has sparked a commitment to improving dementia care in rural communities. Haislip graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning a degree in psychology. Her interests include preventative nutrition, memory care facility design, substance use in the aging population, rural respite care programs, and assistive technology in home-based care.

Sonya Hammons

California

Concentration: Food, Nutrition and Population Health

Hammons (she/her) is Director of Conservation Programs for Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), where she manages grant programs to support water quality and climate-smart management on farms. Previously she designed, launched, and managed a food and agriculture grant program for the county, and served as an environmental health advisor for the United Nations and US Department of State. She serves on the Environmental Justice Advisory Board for California’s Ocean Protection Council and earned her undergraduate degree in Geography from UC Berkeley.

Emily Harper

California

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Harper (she/her) is a dedicated and experienced professional with 23 years of service to her community in Siskiyou County in far Northern California. She began her career as a Social Worker with Child Protective Services, then transitioned to the role of Health Educator/Home Visitor with the Public Health Department, before advancing to a leadership position as Project Coordinator. Harper’s deep understanding of local issues and the challenges facing her community has driven her to advocate for policy changes and improved access to essential services. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science-Multidisciplinary Studies from California State University, Chico. Harper’s passion is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of underserved individuals in her community and beyond, striving to create positive change both locally and globally.

Amanda Juarez

Georgia

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Juarez (she/her) is the Project Coordinator at Resilient Middle Georgia, where she leads efforts in prevention and early intervention to address adverse childhood experiences through collaboration, training, and policy advocacy. Before joining Resilient Middle Georgia, Juarez served as a Community Schools Coordinator for United Way of Central Georgia, focusing on resource assessments and aligning programs to promote student success and community well-being. Juarez earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Middle Georgia State University in 2021, graduating summa cum laude. Passionate about advancing public health, she is dedicated to improving outcomes for rural and underserved communities.

Rachel Kidwell Carty

North Carolina

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Carty (she/her) is a registered nurse and active-duty commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. She serves as a medical-surgical nurse at Naval Medical Readiness and Training Center Camp Lejeune, NC – a level III trauma center that services active duty servicemembers, dependents, retirees, and civilian trauma patients – and is Co-Chair of the Medical-Surgical Unit Practice Council that promotes evidence-based practices to improve patient safety and clinical processes. Prior to joining the Navy, Carty earned a BS in Sociology from UC Berkeley in 2015, worked as a Department Assistant for the UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM), and served as Executive Assistant to the City Manager of Walnut Creek, CA. In 2022, she graduated with a BS in Nursing from George Washington University.

Brittany Kintigh

Oregon

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Kintigh (she/her) has over a decade of experience working in nonprofit settings, specializing in training, technical assistance and management of programs centering lived experience and community health workers. Kintigh has dedicated much of her career to partnering with Child Welfare, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities, and Behavioral Health Organizations to enhance support systems for families. Kintigh holds a Master’s degree in Positive Youth Development from Michigan State University, and is currently involved in implementing a federal Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a Peer Recovery Coach replication study across four states in rural and urban communities. This research aims to build evidence for the effectiveness of community health workers in assisting parents navigating the child welfare system. Kintigh has experience in supporting the growth and fidelity of program models by manualizing programs, building customized training for SUD professionals, and supporting quality improvement efforts for the statewide implementation of a community health worker program in Oregon.

Kurt Kleefeld

New York

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Kleefeld (he/him) is currently serving as Assistant Director of Programs-Mobile Services for Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP) in rural New York. STAP covers eight counties spread over a large rural swath of upstate. Kleefeld directs two grant-fed teams to deliver mobile harm reduction services including syringe exchange. He also directed an expansion of an existing skeletal program in Chenango County to five days weekly including a full staff at a fixed location. Kleefeld holds a BA in Education from Marietta College, OH and an MEd in Administration from Keene State University, New Hampshire.

Selina Martinez

Nebraska

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Martinez (she/her) is the Administrative Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion at Southeast Community College which serves a 15 county area in Nebraska. Prior to this role she worked in philanthropy serving as the Senior Belonging Manager at Lincoln Community Foundation and the Health Equity Officer at Community Health Endowment of Lincoln. During that time she supported the publication of Lincoln Vital Signs: Race Equity Trends 2024, as well as Place Matters 5.0, including the first edition in Spanish. As a lifelong Nebraskan, Martinez has worked with communities of color and Spanish-speakers across the state of Nebraska. She has prior experience working in non-profit, advocacy, and the public health sector. Martinez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Communication and Business Administration. She later earned her Masters in Management from Doane University.

Mallory McEwen

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Mallory McEwen (she/her) is a community-oriented nurse dedicated to improving the wellbeing of underserved populations in her home state of Montana. She currently serves her community in two capacities: as a clinic nurse at her local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), where she provides comprehensive care to folks who are facing systemic barriers to healthcare, and as a forensic nurse in an emergency department, where she delivers medical care to survivors of sexual assault and violence. McEwen earned her first baccalaureate degree in Community Health from Montana State University and returned to pursue a second degree in nursing, driven by her passion for direct patient care. She’s most energized by work that intersects at these two disciplines, particularly in the areas of rural health equity, harm reduction, and supporting the wellbeing of the healthcare workforce.

Shea McGuinness

Montana

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

McGuinness (she/her) currently serves as a Program Coordinator at the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education where she oversees grant programs designed to enhance workforce development and education for healthcare providers in rural communities. Prior to her current position, McGuinness worked at Bridgercare, a reproductive and sexual healthcare clinic in education and community outreach, and held a clinical role at Bozeman Health Hospital. McGuinness received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from Montana State University in 2023.

Katherine Miller-Corcoran

New York

Concentration: Food, Nutrition and Population Health

As Food as Medicine Coordinator for the Rural Health Network of South Central New York, Miller-Corcoran (she/her) works with clinicians, community partners and program participants to get produce from local farms into the hands of community members, creating a healthy, vibrant future for all. Kate grew up rurally on her family’s dairy farm. She worked for several seasons as a Farm Share Manager and later as the Director of Development and Communications for a small non-profit. It was during that time that she developed a better understanding for community food systems, sustainable agriculture and how barriers to access fresh food affect health outcomes. Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in English from the State University of New York at Cortland.

Jillian Morrison

Mississippi

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Morrison (she/her) currently serves as the Policy and Research Director for the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). Her work at DRA focuses on the creation of people centered policy initiatives and accessible research products addressing economic development across the Delta region. She is especially interested in how social determinants of health apply in the context of economic development. Prior to her work at DRA she served as the Delta Legal Fellow through a philanthropic-academic partnership, Delta Directions Consortium where she worked on policy initiatives around broadband, maternal health, and food insecurity. Morrison has a B.A. from San Francisco State University in International Relations and J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, with certificates in both Social Justice & International Law. She is also a graduate of the Education Policy Fellowship Program through the Institute for Educational Leadership. Morrison serves on the board of the Diaper Bank of the Delta and Creative Minds Academy Inc., two local nonprofits serving families and the elderly in the Mississippi Delta. She currently resides in rural Mississippi with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued animals.

Derek Moss

Utah

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Moss (he/him) is the Nursing Director for the Summit County Health Department, a role he assumed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this position, he leads public health nursing initiatives and collaborates with community partners to enhance access to care in rural communities. Prior to this, Moss managed medical, mental health, and dental services for inmates and staff at the Summit County Sheriff’s Department. He currently serves as the President-Elect of the Utah Nursing Directors Affiliate Group. With over a decade of experience in healthcare management and patient care, Moss is deeply committed to addressing health disparities and fostering sustainable public health solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with a Physiology emphasis from the University of Utah, along with associate degrees in nursing and health sciences.

Jessica Nicholson

Virginia

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Nicholson (she/her) serves as the Director of Public Health, Community Outreach, and Preventive Medicine at the Virginia campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She graduated from Earlham College in 2005 with a degree in Biology and Psychology and completed her Master’s in Teaching (MAT) in 2006. Her diverse career spans teaching, outdoor education, organic farming, and academic advising, all of which reflect her deep commitment to education, sustainability, and community engagement. Now in the public health field, Nicholson integrates her passions for social justice, equitable healthcare access, and rural environmental studies into her work with first and second-year medical students. She oversees student research projects with nearly 20 partnering community organizations all over southwestern Virginia, addressing critical topics such as mental health, trauma, addiction, maternal and child health, environmental health, chronic and infectious diseases, cancer disparities, food and housing insecurity, and health policy. Her work emphasizes the unique challenges and opportunities of improving health outcomes in underserved rural areas. Nicholson is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of physicians to adopt a holistic approach to patient care by integrating biomedical and public health frameworks. She emphasizes the importance of viewing health not only through the lens of individual clinical care but also within the broader context of social determinants, community health, and systemic inequities. By equipping student doctors with these perspectives, Nicholson aims to empower them to address health disparities, advocate for vulnerable populations, and contribute to creating healthier communities.

John Powell

Colorado

Concentration: Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Powell (he/him) is the Data Coordinator for Gunnison County Juvenile Services, where he supports community-led research and needs assessments that have successfully secured grant funding for prevention, treatment, recovery, and aftercare initiatives in a rural mountain region. He is also actively involved in youth suicide and substance use prevention efforts. Powell earned dual degrees in Sociology (BA) and Mathematics (BS) from Western Colorado University in 2016.

Mackenzie Saephanh

California

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Saephanh (she/her) is an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator for UCSF Fresno Mobile Health and Learning (HeaL), a grant-funded mobile clinic that offers free healthcare services to rural communities across Fresno County and Merced. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with double minors in physical science and psychology, from California State University, Fresno in 2022. As a Central Valley native and daughter of refugees, Saephanh has witnessed firsthand the health disparities in her community, fueling her passion for health advocacy, equity, and education. After completing a Master of Public Health, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician, committed to advocating for resource denied communities and addressing health inequities.

Yesenia Silva-Aguilar

California

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Silva (she/her) is the Collaboration Specialist at the Central California Public Health Consortium. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature from California State University, Fresno, where she developed a strong interest in the impact of policy on health outcomes. Her public health experience includes working in nonprofits and research institutions, where she has focused on improving the health outcomes of Central California residents through community-based research, workforce development, and grant management.

Emily Startin

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Startin (she/her) is currently working as a nurse coordinator in the health informatics technology department at a regional western Montana facility specializing in best practice recommendations for provider order sets. Startin has been with the hospital system for over ten years in various roles from ambulatory family practice clinics, urgent care, and a variety of other specialized practices. Prior to her current position she also worked in the acute medical surgical unit and held a certified infection prevention position. She coordinated many projects over the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on access to health and patient safety working with both colleagues at the local health department and the state level. Startin holds a BA in Organizational Communication Studies from the University of Montana and a post Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University.

Delany Steele

Washington

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Steele (she/ella) currently works with the Washington State Health Department as the Rural Health Equity Zone Coordinator with the Health Equity Zones Initiative (HEZ Initiative). Steele’s work supporting Washington’s pilot Rural Health Equity Zone in East Whatcom County is centered on uplifting and empowering community members as decision-makers in public health spaces. Prior to joining the WA DOH Steele worked in several educational and non-profit settings primarily supporting students learning English and youth receiving scholarships. Steele received a BA in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture from the University of Puget Sound and an MA in Hispanic Studies from the University of Washington.

Candy Stockton

California

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Stockton (she/her) is Board Certified physician in both Family and Addiction Medicine. She has served as the Health Officer in Humboldt County since 2022, following a 4-year tenure as the Chief Medical Officer of the Humboldt Independent Practice Association. Stockton has an extensive background in rural healthcare, addiction, and safety net healthcare. She graduated from Loma Linda School of Medicine in 2000 and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando. Since 2017, Stockton has lived and worked in Humboldt County, home to five generations of her family.

Kyle Tibbett

Colorado

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Tibbett (he/him) is a dedicated professional with a strong background in community health initiatives. A graduate of Lewis and Clark College with a BA in environmental studies, Tibbett has excelled in roles that emphasize coordination, strategic planning, and public health advocacy, particularly in addressing substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. With experience ranging from coalition building to logistics management during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tibbett is adept at fostering collaborative efforts and implementing sustainable solutions. In his current role as the Grasp consortium coordinator, he leverages community partnerships to address gaps related to substance misuse throughout his community. He has a strong commitment to improving community health in rural Gunnison County, and is looking forward to his time as a student at UC Berkeley!

Phuc Tran

California

Concentration: Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Tran (he/him) has been working as a general dentist at Mendocino Community Health Clinic (MCHC) in Willits, CA since 2019. In 2023, he was awarded the CalHealthCares student loan repayment award for his continual commitment to serving and improving access to care in the rural communities of Mendocino and Lake Counties for the next five years. Additionally, he serves as a Clinical Instructor for the UCSF School of Dentistry training dental students during their off-site community-based rotations. Dr. Tran has volunteered with various non-profit organizations such as the Vietnam Health Clinic based in Seattle, WA and Berkeley Free Clinic. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) in 2013, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from Roseman University of Health Sciences in 2018, and completed his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency training at Bay Clinic in Hilo, HI in 2019.

Jennifer Wagner

Montana

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

A lifelong resident of Montana, Wagner (she/her) was born and raised in a rural railroad and agriculture community. Wagner discovered her passion for in rural healthcare during her 16-year tenure at the Montana Hospital Association. Working directly with Critical Access Hospitals in the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex) and quality initiatives such as the Hospital Quality Improvement Collaborative. Jennifer served as the first Director of Quality Programs, developing a cohesive “one stop shop” for healthcare quality for Montana hospitals and leading a robust Advisory Board for rural hospitals. She recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Psychology – while working full time and managing a busy family. Jennifer joined the Convergence Health team in October 2023 as the Director, Rural Health Initiatives where she continues to use her passion and expertise to support rural healthcare throughout the country.

Meghan Williams

Wisconsin

Concentration: Interdisciplinary

Williams (she/her) is the Health Officer for a small rural health department in northern Wisconsin. In this role, Williams oversees the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan and implementation. She also provides leadership in public health program areas including, communicable disease, maternal child health, performance management, quality improvement, and strategic planning. Previously, Williams spent 9 years as a registered environmental health specialist.

Caitlyn Zepeda

California

Concentration: Health Policy & Management

Zepeda (she/her) is currently a Project Coordinator at Education, Training, and Research, Associates (ETR), where she works on a tobacco prevention project called Communities Energized for Health, which focuses on reducing secondhand smoke exposure in four rural Northern California counties. She recently served as a Rural Consultant and Recruiter for the Center for Critical Public Health’s two North State studies. Before joining ETR, Zepeda was a Public Health Education Specialist at Butte County Public Health, where she worked on the tobacco prevention project. She also worked as a Health Education Specialist at Yuba County Health and Human Services on the local oral health program, the tobacco prevention program and the COVID-19 response team. Zepeda entered the field of public health after graduating from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and then a Master of Arts in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology.

Meron Abebe

North Carolina

Abebe is a professional with extensive experience in public health and non-profit management. Having been a member of the WNC Health Network team since 2015, she currently holds the role of Operations Manager and Improvement Specialist. Abebe has a diverse background working in a major metropolitan hospital, a federally qualified community health center, a hospice facility, and a non-profit organization. Abebe earned an MBA and MS in Healthcare Management from Marymount University, as well as a BA in Business Administration from Warren Wilson College. Originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Abebe has called western North Carolina her home for the past two decades.

Emily Adam

Georgia

Adam is an epidemiologist in the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In her current position, Adam works with national public health data systems, including the National Health Interview Survey and US Cancer Statistics. Adam completed her undergraduate degree in Biology from Grinnell College, an MS in Epidemiology from the University of Iowa, and a 3.5-year ORISE fellowship in applied cancer epidemiology at CDC. Through the Rural Health Innovation Program, Adam looks forward to expanding her spatial data science skills and learning from her peers who are working in rural settings across the country.

Anthony Arton

Lake County, California

Arton started his career as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician at the age of 18. Arton went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Health and Safety and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration. The first six years of his career he worked in student services for colleges and universities in Texas directing student retention and housing programs. Currently, Arton is the Health Services Director for Lake County, California. Prior to this role, he was the Public Health Director for Coos County, Oregon from 2020–2024 and the Health Administrator for Johnson County, Missouri from 2016–2019. Throughout his career he has continued to serve in fire and disaster services as a volunteer. He is passionate about helping people overcome obstacles, achieve success and improve their health and wellbeing. He enjoys utilizing all his skills, experience and education to lead teams, create innovative health programs and policies and ensure equitable access to the healthcare system.

Tyjuana Atkinson

Lenoir County, North Carolina

Atkinson is employed by Lenoir County Public Health Department as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Director. Atkinson was recently honored with an inspiring resolution plaque for 35 years of quality service by the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners. Atkinson enjoys working with the public, her coworkers, WIC participants and her local community, and finds her work to be very rewarding. She was raised to always treat people like she would like to be treated. She graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics-Dietetics. She also has completed classes at North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Kylin Beeson

Port Orchard, Washington

Beeson currently works at the Washington State Department of Health as an Equity and Social Justice Strategist. Her main work revolves around partnering with community-based organizations around the state to address COVID-19 health disparities and improve access to COVID-19 information and resources. Prior to this position, Beeson worked in a variety of public health settings including research, a federally qualified health care center, community-based organizations, and internationally as a Peace Corps Volunteer doing health promotion work. She received her B.A. in Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.

Saleena Brownell

Cherokee, North Carolina

Brownell is a Commissioned Officer (LT) in the United States Public Health Service. She serves as a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at the Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, North Carolina where she manages diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, COPD, asthma, osteoporosis/osteopenia, tobacco cessation, and more under my Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner license in the state of North Carolina (provider status). She is the hepatitis C program lead at the hospital and has treated over 220 patients since she started as a PGY-1 pharmacy resident in August 2020. In May 2020, Brownell graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy with her PharmD, with specializations in pharmacy leadership, innovation, and quality outcomes.

Michaela Byler

Mount Gilead, Ohio

Byler earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Ohio Northern University in 2017. From 2017–2021, Byler lived in Youngstown, Ohio and worked in the field of health education and substance abuse prevention. She transitioned in 2021 to working for the Morrow County Health District where she is currently employed as an environmental health specialist.

Johnathan Corbin

Garrett County, Maryland

Corbin currently serves as the Garrett County, Maryland Health Department Informatics Administrator. In this role, Corbin is responsible for leveraging data-driven insights and innovative technology solutions to address public health challenges and improve overall community well-being. He received his BS in Business Administration, Marketing from Frostburg State University. As a part of the RHI Program cohort, he is looking forward to enhancing his abilities to drive meaningful change in rural Appalachia.

Erick Cortes Rangel

Central Valley, California

As a first-generation Mexican-American immigrant, Rangel grew up in the agricultural heartland of California — The Central Valley. He earned his B.A. in Anthropology and minor in Global Health from the University of California, Los Angeles where he developed an interest in learning about health through an anthropological perspective. In 2019, he returned to the Central Valley to work directly in the rural communities where he grew up. He currently serves as a Project Director with the California Health Collaborative, leading various projects to advance health equity and reduce health disparities among the valley’s most underserved communities. Erick works alongside youth and community residents to co-create change around tobacco prevention policy.. Through this work, he has also become interested in learning more about the built environment and how public health can influence planning and community design to improve health outcomes for rural populations.

Laura Dean

Walla Walla, Washington

Dean is a registered dietitian in family medicine primary care at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC). With YVFWC, Dean has worked in rural and urban clinics in Washington and Oregon to support underinsured people, including migrant farm workers, immigrant and refugee individuals, and families with nutrition-related health conditions or eating concerns. She is a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist and an Integrative & Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner. Dean completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and her dietetic internship with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Filmmaking from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Amanda Flores

Chula Vista, California

Amanda Flores | San Diego, California
Flores, BS, proudly identifies as an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Nation. She currently holds the position of Senior Program Associate at Advocates for Human Potential, concurrently serving as a dedicated Grantee Coach for the Behavioral Health Workforce Development/Mentored Internship Program based in California. Her career has spanned program management for community-based programs, career advising, and mental health case management. Throughout this journey, Flores found immense fulfillment in fostering the growth and well-being of individuals and communities and she looks forward to continuing this impactful journey in years to come.

Melissa Geach

Wisconsin

Geach works as the Health Officer/Director at the Iron County Health Department in rural northern Wisconsin. Prior to her current position, she worked five years as a Public Health Nurse in the same health department. Geach has also worked as a Nurse Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Geach earned her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and later returned to college to earn her degree as a Registered Nurse at the College of St. Scholastica.

Leah Gibbs

Kapa'au, Hawaiʻi

Gibbs is an Emergency Nurse at Queens North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in Kamuela, Hawaiʻi. Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, she is a passionate advocate for quality health care for rural neighbor island communities in Hawaiʻi and food sovereignty in Hawaiʻi. Other professional interests include global health equity and spatial data science for public health. She has served in a number of acute care and public health nursing roles across the US and in LMIC global health contexts. Gibbs earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Seattle University.

Kelsey Giroux-Maule

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Giroux-Maule is the Project Director for Strong Families Strong Wyoming, where she utilizes her expertise in federal grant writing and project management. Joining the organization in 2017, she was promoted to her current role in 2021, reflecting her dedication to the mission. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Since 2018, she has also served as Project Director for Wyoming Families First, a non-profit sister organization, furthering her commitment to strengthening families and fostering positive community change.

Rexanne Greenstreet

California

Greenstreet currently works at the American Lung Association as the Health Promotions Director. Greenstreet manages tobacco prevention grants across nine counties in Northern and Southern California. Outside of the public health field, she has previous experience in nonprofit management and social services. Greenstreet received her Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health from Western Washington University with a minor in psychology.

Alexis Gresham

Georgia

Gresham graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Georgia Southern University. Gresham completed research in many topics including biomechanics, flea epidemiology, and neuroscience in Drosophila melanogaster. She began volunteering at My Friend’s House which is a free day program for people who are experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia-related disorders, providing free workshops for families and caregivers to inform their understanding of dementia and managing stress as a caregiver.

Hannah Guenther

West Point, Nebraska

Guenther is a Rural Health Educator with Nebraska Extension. Guenther’s primary Extension work revolves around serving rural families with tailored programming efforts to reduce chronic disease risk, address barriers facing rural health, and improve health outcomes across the state of Nebraska. Key programs that she teaches and monitors include: Food in the Field and Sleepless in Nebraska. She is currently serving as a Community Advisory Board Member for the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, is a member of the Human Sciences Promotion Committee, and is President-Elect for the Nebraska chapter of the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Guenther received her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics with a minor in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, her Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska – Kearney, and completed CCE Public Health Essentials from Cornell University.

Hannah Hassler

Mankato, Minnesota

Hassler currently serves as the Director of Advocacy for Committee Against Domestic Abuse (CADA), a nonprofit victim advocacy and emergency shelter organization based in Mankato, MN. She also continues to put her teaching license to work as an occasional adjunct electives instructor for an online high school. She received her BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul and her MA in Psychology from Saybrook University. Having been born and raised in a rural environment, and working in one now, Hannah is especially interested in exploring gender-based violence within the rural context.

Kimberley Haverly

Carrollton, Kentucky

Haverly works at Carroll County Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, Kentucky, as the Chief Executive Officer. She is certified by the National Rural Health Association as a Rural Hospital CEO (RHCEOC) and a current 2024–2025 NRHA fellow. Haverly is excited to expand her knowledge and use this opportunity to focus on the local rural population. Haverly holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Approximately 34% of the patients Carroll County Memorial Hospital serves are Medicaid eligible with another 33% on Medicare. Haverly is interested in raising awareness and implementing initiatives for better healthcare access and mental health support, especially those on the Autism Spectrum.

Leeza Henderson-Stone

Fredericksburg, Texas

Henderson-Stone is a dynamic content and event strategist with a passion for transforming the healthcare industry. With a background in Communication Design, Henderson-Stone is on a mission to make a positive impact in rural healthcare. She currently serves as the Sr. Director of Content and Educational Events at Signify Health and CVS Accountable Care. Her expertise is in event management, creative direction, and leadership development. She is thrilled to embark on new opportunities to combine her academic pursuits with her professional expertise to contribute to meaningful change in healthcare.

Kilani Klette

Kalispell, Montana

Klette is the Deputy Health Officer at the Flathead City-County Health Department. In her current role, Kilani leads department operations in developing, implementing, and evaluating service lines while driving division expansion efforts to strengthen the local public health system. Kilani provides leadership in project management areas including performance management, quality improvement, and strategic planning. Her background is based in nutrition and chronic disease intervention as a licensed registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. Klette earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from Montana State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas Permian Basin. She was drawn to the field of public health to focus on health inequities by addressing systems-level barriers that attribute to poor health outcomes. She has broad interests in systems-level development, infrastructure building, and community improvement with experience in community health and behavioral health system capacity building.

Julian Levine

Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Levine works for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in the Center for Rural and Community Health (CRCH) as Project Manager for Community Engagement where he works with rural communities to study and address local health challenges and develop grassroots projects into funded community research initiatives. As part of this role, Levine also served as Executive Director of the partnered nonprofit organization, the Greenbrier County Health Alliance. Prior to coming home to Greenbrier County, West Virginia, Levine worked for Virginia’s oldest free and charitable clinic, Health Brigade, leading mental health and primary care integration projects. Levine received his Master of Social Work with a clinical concentration from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work in 2018, and a Bachelor of Science with honors in Political Science from Shepherd University in 2009.

Amelia Lipscomb

Santa Clara County, California

Amelia Lipscomb is a Program Manager within the County of Santa Clara Health System. Within the County of Santa Clara, she works on innovation and cross-system integration projects which promote public access to healthcare. Amelia recently spearheaded a special population jail diversion project for individuals with Executive Function Disorders to develop relationships with health care providers and teams across the County to address adverse social determinants of health which impact justice-involved individuals with executive dysfunction at higher rates than the average population. Prior to pursuing public health, Amelia got her start with clinical research after finding an undergraduate research position in a neuroimmunobiology lab at the University of California, Riverside where she received a BA in English.

Angela Mackie

Sacramento, CA

Mackie is a registered Nurse at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Mackie is a Nurse Navigator for lung cancer patients, working to coordinate and improve patient care. She also works with the lung cancer screening program, which aims to increase early detection of lung cancer. Mackie graduated from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Western Carolina University in Asheville, North Carolina. Prior to nursing, Mackie worked as an organic farmer and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Sterling College in Vermont.

Jenny McCoy

Butler County, Ohio

McCoy is the Director of Emergency Preparedness at the Butler County General Health District in Butler County, Ohio. She manages the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) grant programs for the Health District. McCoy is actively engaged in community coalitions locally and throughout the Southwest Ohio Public Health Region and is a new member of the State of Ohio Butler County Incident Management Team. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2014 with a BA in Public Health.

Michael McGill

Virginia

McGill is the Outreach Specialist at the National Rural Health Resource Center, the country’s leading rural health technical assistance provider. He previously oversaw workforce development initiatives and communications at the Kentucky Office of Rural Health. He earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Speech Communication from Susquehanna University, and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University.

Kalisha McClendon

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

McLendon is a general dentist at Cross Trails Medical Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Southeast Missouri, where she provides comprehensive oral health care. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and completed a residency in Special Care Dentistry at the University of Michigan Hospital. Dr. McLendon also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Dedicated to advancing community health and addressing systemic challenges in rural areas, Dr. McLendon is actively engaged in advocacy and continuing education initiatives. She serves on the Continuing Education Committee and the Oral Health Advocacy Collaborative of the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA). She is also a member of the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health’s Policy Committee. McLendon’s commitment to the future of healthcare is further exemplified by her role as a mentor in the Health Sciences Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. In this capacity, she guides first- and second-year undergraduate students in exploring careers, focusing on those pursuing dentistry.

Matthew Metz

Glen Dale, West Virginia

Metz is practicing as a general surgeon in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He moved back to his hometown after practicing for 16 years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science Degree and attended West Virginia University for his medical degree. His surgical training was completed at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia.

Hannah Miller

Maine

Miller is a multilingual health advocate, artist, and activist working to build an embodied community in Maine, motivated to work in public health to strengthen her community and achieve equitable and just care for health and wellbeing. She works as the Director of Outreach with the Maine Mobile Health Program where she started in 2017 as a Program Manager and Community Health Worker. She has experience in supervision of enabling services teams, particularly Community Health Workers, and a background in the planning, development, and implementation of mobile health programs. She graduated from Bates College in 2014 with a double major in Spanish and Women and Gender Studies. From 2014 to 2017 she researched and developed an educational text focused on community, place, gender, and life on the border between the United States and Nogales, Mexico. Her areas of interest include migrant and seasonal farmworkers, migrant and community health centers, substance use, immigration, Hispanic language and culture, interpretation and language access, gender expression, motherhood, and sites of memory.

Jenny Niblock

Colby, Kansas

Niblock has 35 years of working experience in rural health. She currently serves as the chief clinical officer at Citizens Health in Colby, Kansas, and previously served as a nurse practitioner for over 25 years in practice at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and Rural Health Clinic (RHCs) and worked as a certified nursing assistant and registered nurse before becoming an advanced practice registered nurse. She also served Citizens Health and Northwest Kansas as the leader in COVID, pandemic, and disaster preparedness. COVID and working closely with others in public health sparked her interest in rural public health. She is passionate about rural health equity and access to healthcare.

Roblen Nieblas

King’s County, CA

Nieblas is currently working as a general dentist and dental director at Aria Community Health Center, which is a Federally Qualified Health Center located in Kings, Fresno and Tulare Counties. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Nieblas serves as a preceptor for UCLA School of Dentistry’s Community Based Clinical Education Program. These students participate in rotations at her clinic and provide high quality dental care to underserved populations in the Central Valley while also improving their own clinical skills. Outside of Aria, Nieblas is the chair of the King’s County Oral Health Coalition, which focuses on initiatives aimed at improving access to dental care and overall oral health in King’s County. Nieblas obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Neurobiology at UC Irvine in 2013, and earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UCLA in 2019.

Celene Olson

Humboldt County, California

Olson lives in Humboldt County where she works as a Supervising PHN. Previously, Olson worked with a FQHC, a clinical instructor for the local ADN nursing program, and at the local hospital as a staff nurse on the progressive care unit and nurse manager of a telemetry, pediatric, and observation unit. Before arriving in Humboldt, Olson lived in Los Angeles working for a School District supporting 20 school-based health offices as an administrative assistant. Olson earned her Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology at Humboldt State University, her ADN at the College of the Redwoods, and BSN at Chapman University.

Ken Park

California

Park currently serves as Vice President of Rural Health for Prime Healthcare, a privately held healthcare company that operates 45 hospitals in 14 states across the US. In this role, he is responsible for leading the organization’s strategy to improve the health of rural communities. Previously, he was the director of rural health strategy & business development for Kettering Health. He holds a BA from Pacific Union College and an MBA from University of Redlands. Witnessing firsthand the struggles of his own parents navigating care in a rural setting has instilled a deep commitment to making a difference, one life at a time.

Nicki Perisho

Whitefish, Montana

Perisho, a registered nurse who has worked in telehealth since 2010, is considered a pioneer in the telehealth field and has led efforts for telehealth growth, utilization, and sustainability in the northwest region. She is currently the principal investigator and program director for the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, a Health Resources and Services Administration federally funded grant program to provide technical assistance related to the growth of telehealth in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Perisho resides in Whitefish, Montana where she enjoys the outdoors with her husband, son, and daughter. Perisho holds a BA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Colorado.

Kim Pinto

Washington County, Oregon

Pinto is currently a Prevention Program Specialist at Washington County, Oregon where she works with internal and external partners to reduce substance use disorders. Before joining Washington County, Pinto was a Lab Technician performing clinical testing for hormone imbalances and early detection of cancer. Pinto aspired to re-enter the public health field after her first two public health roles prior to the lab and after graduating from CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science. Prior to her lab position, Pinto served in the Peace Corps as a Health Volunteer in Malawi and before that, a Research Associate for a small evaluation and consulting firm in Sacramento where she worked with all local schools on tobacco prevention and education.

Lisa Ann Rantz

Hilo, Hawaii

Rantz is the Executive Director of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation (HBMCF), where she has led initiatives since 2014 to address healthcare needs on Hawaii Island. Her work includes building infrastructure to recruit and retain healthcare providers and collaborating with legislators to support healthcare policy. As the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Director for Hawaii Island, she oversees health career recruitment from high school through graduate medical education. In addition to serving as President of the Hawaii State Rural Health Association, she Serves as the State Association Council Chair for the National Rural Health Association where she provides technical support and assistance to rural health associations across the nation. Rantz is a member of the Rural Health Policy Congress and a strong advocate for access to high quality healthcare regardless of where you live. Her dedication to advancing rural healthcare is further highlighted by her ongoing pursuit of a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Rantz’s community service includes roles on the Hawaii Medical Education Council, Community First’s Recruitment & Retention Committee, and various local organizations. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Athena Leadership Award and the National Rural Health Association’s Volunteer of the Year. Rantz holds a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University.

Monica Romero

Salinas, California

Romero currently works with The Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) in Salinas, California. Romero has been with the CHAMACOS study since 2014 as a Youth Examiner and currently as a Research Assistant. Romero earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is excited to be part of the inaugural Rural Health Innovation cohort.

Michelle Saenz

Bishop, California

Saenz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and oversees a behavioral health department that primarily serves seven Tribal communities across two counties in rural eastern California. In this position, she was instrumental in the expansion of behavioral health services by increasing accessibility to mental health providers, expanding psychiatry care, and building a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to serve community members struggling with substance use disorders. She has eleven years of experience in Tribal health and previously worked in a rural county mental health system, a psychiatric hospital, and a residential treatment program for adolescents. Saenz is the current chairwoman of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board for Inyo County. She received a B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. In her free time, she enjoys recreating in the beautiful Eastern Sierras.

Shannon Sawin

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Sawin currently serves as a physician at a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in North Carolina. Sawin grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for medical school. She completed her residency at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Hospitals in Family Medicine. Sawin returned to the Outer Banks and worked at a family practice and urgent care while also volunteering at a local free clinic. After that time, she began locum tenens work with several organizations, including as a family physician with Indian Health Services – the Jicarilla Apache tribe in New Mexico, the Miwok Tribe in Shingle Springs, California and the Wampanoag Tribe in Mashpee, Massachusetts, as well as an FQHC in Raleigh. Sawin went on to work as a student health physician at a HBCU. Sawin has always wanted to pursue an MPH and the Rural Health Innovation program has made that possible.

Sylvia Saxena

West Lafayette, Indiana

Saxena is a Senior Health Equity Analyst at Purdue University. Saxena graduated from Purdue University with her Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner, FNP program in 2018. Saxena worked in Prenatal and Women’s Health at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) for a few years, and then transitioned to community-based work focused on addressing health equity. Saxena’s expertise includes working with diverse, underrepresented, and rural populations, working with FQHC’s, promoting health screenings and chronic disease education, infant and maternal health, health equity trainings, and building collaborations and partnerships.

Yinchen Song

Lebanon, New Hampshire

Song works as a Clinical Neurophysiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and holds the position of Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. Song’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Southeast University in Nanjing, China, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University. Currently, Song is the Co-Chair of the Interprofessional Education Committee at the American Epilepsy Society. Song is passionate about teaching and training students, technologists, residents, and fellows. He is also eager to expand his expertise in epidemiology and spatial data analysis while deepening his knowledge in health policy and management. Ultimately, Song aims to leverage his skills to address health disparities and workforce challenges in rural America.

Valeria Stacey

Clark County, Montana

In 2016, Stacey earned her BS in Biology from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and traveled west to Wyoming for an internship with the Bureau of Land Management. After completing the seasonal internship in 2017, Stacey moved to Lewis and Clark County, Montana, and has been working within the local public health department ever since. As an Environmental Health Specialist, I wear a lot of hats, including permitting septic systems, monitoring air quality, providing education and outreach, and serving on statewide coalitions that aim to influence health policy. Stacey is especially immersed in her work when performing data analyses and creating GIS maps, dashboards, and other tools that more effectively communicate with the public.

Andy Tyler

Grand Junction, Colorado

Tyler currently lives and works in Grand Junction, Colorado, the largest city between Denver and Salt Lake City, in the high desert near the Utah border. He works at Family Health West, a critical access hospital, as their Infection Preventionist. He previously worked as the project director for a Health Resources & Services Administration Physician Assistant Training in Primary Care grant. He worked in local public health as a regional epidemiologist for five years practicing applied epidemiology. This involved disease and outbreak investigation, public and medical provider education, and data collection and analysis. He received a BS in Public Health from Tulane University.

Kara Waples

Sacramento, California

Waples is a Senior Program Consultant at the California Department of Public Health – California Tobacco Prevention Program. In her current position, Waples develops and coordinates efforts aimed at reducing tobacco-related disparities, particularly among rural communities, through the implementation of population-based public health intervention strategies. She provides training and technical assistance aimed at countering the tobacco industry, decreasing exposure to second and thirdhand smoke, reducing the availability of tobacco products, and promoting tobacco cessation. Waples graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 2014, followed by a community farm apprenticeship in sustainable agriculture.

Sara Watrous

Cortland County, New York

Watrous currently works as the Project Director at the Rural Health Institute of New York overseeing the implementation of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) initiative for Cortland County. Watrous previously worked at Tompkins Cortland Community College as the Alcohol & Drug Prevention Coordinator. She received her BA in International Politics from the American University of Paris and her MA in Political Science from the University of Quebec at Montreal.

Aaron Winden

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Winden is a public health specialist at Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, where he oversees the community health improvement plan. Winden spent the previous ten years in clinical social work and HIPAA compliance. Winden has a Master’s degree in social work from Aurora University (IL), and has been in the mental health field since 2004.

Virginia Wrobel

Blacksburg, Virgina

Wrobel is a Virginia Tech graduate in Public Health. Her experiences working in rural health have predominantly been community health-based efforts to address substance use disorder (SUD) in rural Appalachia. This began when she joined the Appalachian Community Research team at Virginia Tech, where she worked with a team of professionals to help create more robust SUD recovery projects. Today, Virginia is a project coordinator for the Virginia Rural Health Association, a non-profit that serves residents of rural Southwest Virginia. She continues to specialize in SUD and works to advocate for recovery resources for her community, including harm reduction.