Cohorts

Peter Adediji

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Bless-me Ajani

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Annkathryn Berry-Brown

School: University of Tennessee Southern
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Lawrence and Giles County Health Departments

Abbie Campbell

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Waterborne and Zoonotic Program

Alanna Kate Cruz

School: Boston University School of Public Health
Degree: Doctor of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Bel Dalton

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Laboratory Services

Deja Frazier

School: Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Minor in Health Information Management
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

Holly Frye

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Public Health Leadership and Policy
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office and Office of Strategic Initiatives

Keona Gwinn

School: Meharry Medical College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Ailaina Harper

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Community and Public Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

Sana Hasan

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Albert Ko

School: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Office of Overdose Response and Coordination

Katie Lukasiak

School: Liberty University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Office of Health Planning

Gahssan Mehmood

School: University of South Carolina
Degree: Doctor of Public Health
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

Mustapha Aliyu Muhammad

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Derrick Nyantakyi Owusu

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment, Tennessee Cancer Registry (TCR)

Bomi Ogunlari

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Masters of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Kimberly Okafor-Mbaso, MD

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Mariagorathy Okonkwo

School: University of Iowa
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Epidemiology
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

Adaora Onuigbo

School: Meharry Medical College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Esther Osime

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health, Community Health
Placement: Office of Healthy Aging

Khushi M. Patel

School: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Placement: West Regional Health Office

Brittany Phung

School: University of Memphis
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Williamson County Health Department

Gabriela M. Romero Frias

School: University of Minnesota, School of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health, Public Health Nutrition
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Sabrina Sabir

School: University of Alabama School of Law
Degree: Juris Doctorate
Placement: Office of General Counsel

Morgan Elyse Streat

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health Education
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Chloe Urias

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness, Traumatic Brain Injury Program

Isaiah Varella

School: Harvard University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Health Management
Placement: Office of Health Planning

Noah Wren

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Office of Informatics and Analytics

Alexander Douglass

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Office of Health Statistics

Emily Maples

School: Maryville College
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Developmental Psychology
Placement: Sevier County Health Department

Karia Nelson

School: Walden University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Public Health
Placement: West Regional Health Office

Kiana Roberson

School: Grand Canyon University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Community Health Services

Ashley Smith

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee
Placement: Division of Community Health Services

Autumn Brazzell

School: Carson Newman University
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

During my internship, I worked alongside Nutrition Educators and Registered Dietitians to issue meal packages based on the individual needs of patients. Some of the task I performed included interpreting growth charts, discussing the importance of  vitamins, and explaining proper portion sizes for children. Utilizing these task, one of my preceptor's and I collaborated on creating a bulletin board based on the MyPlate guidelines for children. The  board displayed a visual representation of appropriate portion sizes, providing educational value for both the parents and children. Overall, I enjoyed my internship, and I am very grateful to the health departments for their collaboration.

Mae M. Brooks 

School: Tulane University
Degree:  Doctor of Public Health in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity 
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

Emma Catharine Fennell

School: Belmont University College of Law
Degree: Juris Doctorate
Placement: Office of General Counsel

Makenna Frenia

School: Vanderbilt University 
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Health
Placement: Division of Health Disparities Elimination, Office of Rural Health

During my internship, I explored the structure and functions of key TDH divisions. I conducted a departmental analysis, held informational interviews with staff across the department to better understand their roles-especially in offices without a public web presence-and developed a 77-page report and presentation to support collaboration across divisions. I had the opportunity to present my findings to the entire Division of Health Disparities Elimination. I'm grateful to the many TDH staff who shared their time and insights throughout the project. The experience deepened my understanding of public health systems, strengthened my commitment to advancing health equity, and helped me build confidence in project management and communication.

Kayleigh Kuhn

School: University of Memphis 
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: West Tennessee Regional Health Office

Montaja McMullen-Crockett 

School: Meharry Medical College, School of Global Health 
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness 

Annalise Mitchell

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Placement: Office of Primary Prevention

Emily Moore

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Doctor of Medicine
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, HIV/STI/Viral Hepatitis Section  

Damilare Ogungbesan

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Professional Science, Healthcare Informatics
Placement: Division of Community Health Services

Adamma Olisa

School: Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

During my internship, I had an enriching experience. This experience touched on all the fields I'm most passionate about - dentistry, public health, and technology - and wove them together meaningfully. Whether it was discussing statewide water fluoridation policies during roadshows, evaluating the Healthy Parks Healthy Person (HPHP) program, or promoting healthy lifestyles through fun, tech-enabled activities, every task reinforced my commitment to improving community health through innovation. From contributing to program reporting across all counties, supporting a legislative bill on school-based substance abuse prevention, drafting an advisory board commitment form, to helping develop K-12 health education games, I applied core MPH competencies and pushed my limits. One of the standout experiences of my internship was the opportunity to evaluate the Healthy Parks Healthy People (HPHP) program for my capstone project. Fueled by my enthusiasm for innovation and a deep commitment to public health, I chose to immerse myself in this initiative, which focuses on the transformative potential of outdoor physical activity. The HPHP app captivates users by rewarding them for engaging in healthy outdoor activities, beautifully aligning with the CDC's mission to combat obesity and elevate physical activity levels across Tennessee. Also, I attended the Health Promotion Conference, themed "Being Intentional Through Health Promotion." It expanded my understanding of how strategic public health approaches can drive real community impact. I gained new professional connections, sharpened my leadership skills, and learned to develop SMARTIE goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound, Impact-driven, and engaging.

Callie Pierce

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

During my internship with the Chronic Disease team, I developed outreach materials to promote ongoing programs and improve engagement with healthcare providers and community partners. This opportunity strengthened my communication skills and deepened my passion for community health at the state level. I look forward to continuing collaborations with the Chronic Disease team in my role as a Public Health Educator in Henry County. 

Nick Pringle

School: Harvard Chan School of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Office of Overdose Response and Coordination

Imogene Ragan

School: Milligan University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Abby Robertson

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Bachelor of Health and Human Performance, Concentration in Public Health
Placement: Division of Community Health Services

Parth Sinojia

School: Rhodes College
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

During my internship with the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI), I worked with two main projects: the Spring 2025 Community of Practice (CoP) Summits and the Tennessee Vitality Toolkit (TVT). The CoP Summits are annual, in-person events held across Tennessee's three grand divisions (West, Middle, and East), designed to support counties as they conduct their Community Health Assessments (CHA) and develop Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP). I worked with the OSI team to help plan these summits, coming up with breakout sessions, activities, and presentation ideas along with working with the logistics of the events. My other project focused on the TVT, a resource that provides guidance, data, and program ideas for Tennessee counties based on the priority areas identified in their Community Health Assessments, such as maternal health or food security. I worked to develop content for the attainable housing priority area, incorporating TDH data, conducting supplemental research, proposing potential programs and strategies for health councils, and designing visual aids to support local understanding of the priority area. Overall, easily, my favorite part of the internship was working with the OSI team. They are phenomenal, and because the office supports a wide range of initiatives, I was able to learn a great deal about public health strategy, community collaboration, and planning!

Cheyenne Smith 

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree:  Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee
Placement: Hawkins County Health Department

Leslyne Watkins

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

During my internship, I created a variety of educational pieces for use at the health department and to benefit the community. I created a county health fact sheet that emphasized minority health issues and presented it to the Wilson County Health Council. I evaluated the programs and services offered at the health department and documented what issues staff members and clients were facing in providing and receiving care. I analyzed and documented data regarding youth mental health needs in the United States and used this information to create a youth mental health educational curriculum for public health educators to use. Additionally, I attended many community health outreach programs with the two public health educators and got to see firsthand how impactful their work is. I am grateful to have had this experience and truly value the work of my health department and the Tennessee Department of Health overall. 

Sarah Zeng

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Art, Medicine, Health, & Society and Computer Science
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

During my internship, I worked with Dr. Generosa Kakoti in the Office of Healthcare Statistics. Using the Hospital Discharge Data System, I investigated sepsis hospitalization in older populations. Working at the TNDOH was an amazing learning experience!

Felicia Wright

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Tennessee Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence (CoE) (CEDEP)

During my internship, I created six-month impact assessments for Epi-Ready trainings done in Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia. The assessments measured how training was applied in real-world settings and identified barriers, successes, and future needs, providing insight into its long-term impact on outbreak response readiness. Additionally, I conducted a literature review that provided background knowledge on Salmonella transmission, which supported my presentation of a historic outbreak to the Food and Enteric Disease team during a monthly meeting. I also developed a written web publication to share the information with a broader public health audience. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn real-world applications of what I have learned in class, and I am very appreciative for the CEDEP team!

Connor Brown

School: Lee University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Disaster Management 
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Marlyn Holguin

School: University of Memphis
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: West Regional Health Office

Ellie Nadelmann

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Hannah Ostrander

School: Eastern Washington University 
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Rashmikaa Ranganathan

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health in Health Policy
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

Catie Scannell

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health & Climate Studies
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Anika Shah

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Art in Medicine, Health, and Society
Placement: Office of Primary Prevention

I worked with the Office of Primary Prevention for my internship. I designed a policy and themes brief based off of the 2025 Roadshow Intervention, which focused on helping regional health offices practice advancing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes that improve community health. My research brief provides regional snapshots, guidelines, toolkits and recommendations for four policy areas including syringe exchange programs, universal free school meals, shared use agreements, and water fluoridation. The resource is intended to help local health teams implement policy changes in Tennessee. 

Gretchen Wade

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Gwendolyn Wilks

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness 

During my internship with the Tennessee Department of Health, I worked with the SPARK program in the Division of Family Health and Wellness, where I helped discover a potential parenting curriculum and conducted literature reviews to inform program development. I also contributed to the planning of Red Sand Day, an event focused on raising awareness about human trafficking. Throughout my internship, I summarized key findings and delivered a final presentation to share my insights and recommendations. Overall, I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and support of the SPARK team, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to their mission of improving the health and well-being of Tennessee families.

Jalah Bates

School: Meharry Medical College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

As a Pathways to Practice Scholar, I worked with the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Family Health and Wellness, where I applied my passion for public health and policy to underserved communities. My areas of interest include maternal and child health, health equity, and public policy. I intend to leverage my experience in policy analysis to advocate for reproductive health and rights. Ultimately, I aspire to make a significant impact in public health leadership and policy analysis to better serve underrepresented populations.

Ashley Beck (Raney)

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Waterborne - Zoonotic Program

My interest in epidemiology sparked when I was working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the local Emergency Department while I was completing my undergraduate degree. During Fall 2024, to explore that interest further, I worked with the Waterborne and Zoonotic Diseases Program.

Jordan Brock

School: Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

I worked with Krista Cole in the Division of Family Health and Wellness helping with finding equitable resources for families to improve their quality of life. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Public Health I plan on going to Dental School. My interest in health has come from my family background with my mom being in the dental field. I plan on expanding my career in health and providing better, equitable resources for everyone.

Miranda Dailey

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

I am currently working on my Master of Public Health (MPH) from Austin Peay State University, and I am CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certified. I have a strong passion for maternal and child health, but I am open to a wide range of opportunities and learning experiences that come my way. My overall goal is to help all individuals in a community and make an impact on someone's life for the better!

Nathan Dockery

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

This semester, I worked with the Northeast Regional Office's Assessment and Planning Coordinator to help support the health of the regional community and regional strategic planning processes. My interests include rural health, quantitative data analysis, and harm reduction.

Dionne Gray

School: Grand Canyon University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Emergency Management
Placement: Southeast Regional Health Office, Emergency Preparedness

Teddy John

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

I am passionate about infectious diseases due to my experiences witnessing their impact on communities. This past semester, I worked with the Northeast Regional Health Office together with my preceptor, Hopely Mooney, to address public health challenges.

LaCrisha Johnson

School: Meharry Medical College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Syndemic Coordination Program

My interests involve the mental health issues in the BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ community, sex-positive health, and harm reduction.  As a member of the inaugural cohort of Meharry Medical College’s School of Global Health, I intend to see how I can best intersect mental health and public health to better underserved communities. 

Aaleyah Kelso

School: Meharry Medical College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Office

My foci are health administration, health policy, and population health. I aspire to have a career in healthcare administration where I can collaborate with like-minded individuals to address health disparities and advocate for health equity for all. I worked with the Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Office alongside Bryan Stroinski where I had exposure to data analysis, assessment, and planning coordination.

Sarah Kousky

School: Union University
Degree: Master of Social Work
Placement: West Tennessee Regional Health Office

My main interest is mental health, and I love working with people as well as building rapport and positive relationships throughout my work. I have experience working in the micro, mezzo, and macro level of social work. I am currently working at the Department of Health in Decatur County as a public Health Educator. I serve both Decatur and Benton County. My passion is to advocate and help people, provide resources, and educate people about overall health.

Kendall Mack

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Health Policy
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

My interests are creating health justice, equity, and quality through thoughtful policy analysis and advocacy. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality care, and no one should be denied proper treatment based on systemic failures. In my career, I aim to work at the federal level, leveraging policy to improve health disparities and access to care and educate individuals about their rights to ensure that health equity becomes a reality for all. By addressing these systemic issues through education, insurance reform, and policy advocacy, I strive to create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone, regardless of their background.

Rachel Seligstein

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Masterof Public Health, Veterinary Public Health
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

My interests in public health revolve around foodborne and enteric diseases, mainly of the zoonotic type. I worked with the Foodborne and Enteric Diseases sector with Dr. Samir Hanna to study multi-state outbreaks of Salmonella cases, as well as antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Jenny Donaldson

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Washington County Health Department

My areas of focus include community health and emergency disaster response management, with a particular interest in health disparities, social determinants, education, prevention, promotion, and outreach. My motivation for specializing in these areas stems from my prior involvement in healthcare, school organizations, and community initiatives. This semester, I worked as a Health Educator at the Washington County Health Department, where I collaborated with Anna Carpenter and Emilie Bordeau to enhance the well-being of our local and neighboring communities.

Ophelia Imuze

School: Augusta University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Health Informatics
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

I’m deeply passionate about clinical and health data analytics. In my internship, I worked with the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program (TBCSP) and the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program. My focus was on identifying gaps in service delivery and providing recommendations to address these gaps, all while supporting the creation of a GIS vendor map.

Alexa Kifer 

School: Emory University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Syndemic Coordination Program

My research interests lie in the intersection of chronic disease and infectious disease. During my internship, I learned more about working in the opioid use space and how to further support the department's ongoing efforts. 

Jordan Malone

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

My foci are infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, and health equity. I want these focuses to be a reflection of my journey through public health as I have sought out to tackle future pandemics and better minority communities through many means. This semester I worked with CEPED and Emily Gateley to observe high risk locations for Covid-19 such as long term care facilities, correctional facilities, and daycares.

Gabrielle Olivastro

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Jasmine Mumpfield

School: UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health, Maternal, Child, and Family Health 
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

I am interested in reproductive justice, mass incarceration and health delivery inconsistencies within carceral settings, and investment in communities as a tool for social change. I spent my semester working with the Tennessee Department of Health’s Family Health and Wellness Division on a project pertaining to the topic of maternal healthcare delivery for incarcerated women in Tennessee county jails. I hope to use this research for my master’s paper on enacting change in healthcare access for incarcerated individuals. 

Karen Williams

School: Capella University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

At present, I am pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree at Capella University with a focus on policy advocacy, health administration, and clinical research. I completed my internship for the Fall semester within Community Collaboration and Impact at the TDH Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) under the guidance of Chelsei Granderson.

Nikita Cudjoe

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Valeria Eadler

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Doctor of Philosiphy, Public History
Placement: Centennial History Project

This semester, I had the opportunity to work at the Office of Human Resources and Talent Management with Joey King. One of my key projects was the Centennial Celebration Project . My responsibilities included researching archival materials, conducting interviews with Tennessee Health Department employees, and setting up the "100 Years of the Department of Health" exhibition. This experience has been incredibly valuable for my professional growth, significantly benefiting my PhD studies in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University. I have honed my skills in public history writing, improved my communication abilities, and gained hands-on experience in the museum field. This semester has undoubtedly enriched my academic journey and prepared me for future endeavors in the field of public history.

Holly Eaves

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

This summer I completed my internship at the Tennessee Department of Health with the Office of Strategic Initiatives on the Strategic Planning team primarily working with the director, Olivia Hall. I focused on the strategic planning and implementation process while forming an understanding of and comprehensively organizing all the strategic plans within the United States into a dashboard. This internship has bettered my skills in Microsoft Lists and Excel, internal communication, and meeting facilitation. My next steps are to start my Master's Degree in Health Administration at East Tennessee State University.

Kaylee Ebner

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Vector-borne Diseases Program

This summer I worked with Dr. Abelardo Moncayo in the Vector-borne Diseases program. There I conducted several studies regarding tick prevalence and novel mitigation strategies. I also collaborated closely with our partners at the Southeastern Centers of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases. From my internship, I feel that I bettered my skills in data analysis, scientific writing, communication, and study design. I learned how to conduct fieldwork and how to correctly identify ticks. Using what I've learned, I hope to finish my Master's Degree in Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University.

Catharine Fennell

School: Belmont University College of Law
Degree: Juris Doctor
Placement: Office of General Counsel

This summer I worked with the Office of General Counsel to learn how administrative and health law intersect to protect Tennesseans with licensing regulation. Under the various health related Boards, I had the opportunity to research and work alongside several litigating and advising attorneys. These opportunities included building a case law library, reading a respondent’s deposition during trial, researching quality improvement privilege and immunity,  assisting in the fee amendment process for a Board, and drafting initial language for endorsement rules under the Board of Physician Assistants. I feel like I’ve grown to really enjoy work within administrative law and healthcare regulation. Using what I’ve learned, I hope to succeed in an administrative law course next fall and finish my J.D. at Belmont College of Law.

Sumon Ghosh

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Enteric Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations

This semester, I worked closely with Dr. Samir Hanna on critical public health initiatives, including food-borne infectious disease research and zoonotic disease outbreak investigations. My primary responsibilities involved meticulous data analysis, synthesizing findings into detailed reports, and supporting outbreak investigations by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. I also managed data entry and maintained accuracy in our online database platform. Through these tasks, I have sharpened my research, analytical, and data management skills. I look forward to leveraging this experience as I pursue my PhD in Public Health Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I aim to contribute to the Tennessee Department of Health or similar public health and research organizations.

Gracie Hitchcock

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Child and Family Studies
Placement: East Regional Health Office

I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to grow my public health skills as well as my personal skills. This semester I worked with Erika Hampton to help decrease the rapid growth of STIs in the East Tennessee Region as a communicable and environmental disease intern. I did community outreach in 15 counties and was able to distribute over 50,000 condoms while providing important health education. I developed great communication and data analysis skills as well as created connections in the surrounding communities. Through my internship, I have learned the importance of community outreach and equal education for everyone pertaining to health. Using what I have learned, I plan to finish my master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of Tennessee. I would love to continue working with the Tennessee Department of Health to keep improving the health and education of the people of Tennessee. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds!

Zachary Huff

School: South College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Montgomery County Health Department

Ayanna Jones

School: Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, General Health Sciences
Placement: Division of Health Disparities Elimination

This semester, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Tamera Chavez-Lindell and Mrs. LaShan Dixon, exploring the core aspects of Community Health. During my internship with the Office of Faith-Based and Community Engagement, I participated in data extraction from past contracts to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Office of Minority Health. This data is being used to create a website. This project not only sparked my passion for public health but also deepened my appreciation for the department's history. I developed crucial skills in professional communication and networking with various departments within the Health sector. I plan to complete my Bachelor’s degree in General Health Sciences next spring at Tennessee State University and am seeking career opportunities with the Tennessee Department of Health or other health-related agencies.

Amanda Knecht

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Business Management
Placement: Office of Human Resources and Talent Management

Kelly Longhini

School: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Region IV Public Health Center Pathways to Practice Scholar

This summer, I worked with Dr. John Vick and the Office of Primary Prevention at the Tennessee Department of Health on the Livability Indicators project. This project includes data on a set of health-related indicators for Tennessee, and I collaborated across statewide agencies and with the Center for Rural Health at East Tennessee State University to develop an ArcGIS-based platform to share and map the data. My role with the Livability Indicators project has been data management. I have been collecting, cleaning, and formatting data for the 60 indicators related to livability, using R programming and Excel. The data has been pulled from a variety of sources, including federal and state, public and private sources. I also independently developed a quality assurance/quality control plan to check the code and data, and documented my processes in a data maintenance plan to ensure sustainability of the project. From this experience, I have developed skills in programming, task management, professional collaboration, and flexibility. Looking ahead, I plan to finish my Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology and Certificate in Data Science at Emory University before pursuing a role in public health informatics or data analytics, ideally at the state level.

Ashlynn Malone

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: East Regional Health Office

Alana Marcum

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Arts, Public History
Placement: Centennial History Project

Alisa Osborne

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

This summer, I worked with Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Director, Rachael Stough, to create a spreadsheet with six year’s worth of data from the LeadTRK database. The spreadsheet was used for present and future analysis regarding lead source identification. I was able to present data and findings to the Family Health and Wellness department and answer questions about lead poisoning prevention, risk factors, and strategies to decrease exposure.  Through this internship, I have gained Microsoft Excel skills, environmental health knowledge, and a better interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data. I hope to begin a Master’s Degree in Fall 2025 for Public Health and may pursue a career working for the state in the future.

Brina Ratangee

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Medicine, Health, and Society
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

This summer, I worked as a health equity intern with Krista Cole in the Division of Family Health and Wellness. I helped develop and oversee a repository of social resources and services across Tennessee’s 95 counties for the Department’s closed-loop referral system pilot that aims to address community members’ health-related social needs. I also contributed to subcommittees focusing on health equity, disparities, and workforce development. From my internship, I’ve gained a stronger understanding of the synergy between public health and medicine and hope to apply these insights to my future career at the intersection of these fields — beginning with a master’s degree in the Social Foundations of Health at Vanderbilt during the 2024-25 academic year. I’d love to reconnect with TDH or another state or federal public health agency down the road and could not be more grateful for my experience!

Emma Rouston

School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

Mary Zetterberg

School: University of Memphis
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Upper Cumberland Regional Health Office

This summer I worked with Rachael Nichols at the Upper Cumberland Regional Office. I was able to visit 8 out of the 14 counties in this region and shadow numerous providers and program directors. I also helped work through data from the county health departments to ensure they met specific measures to continue to receive grant funding to operate as FQHCs. I am excited to go back to school with a greater appreciation for public health and the opportunities it brings.

Alexandra Bird

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

I had the pleasure of working with the Comprehensive Suicide Program within the Division of Family Health and Wellness. I got to work closely with William Thomas who is the epidemiologist in this program. I had a great time learning to create queries within the syndromic tracking platform, ESSENCE (Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics), and using that data to create meaningful presentations for our stakeholders and volunteers. This internship gave me a lot of experience on the data management and aggregation side of epidemiology which I had yet to do. Everyone I worked with was phenomenal and incredibly helpful. I feel a lot more confident in my data analysis skills as I finish out my last year in my MPH program at East Tennessee State University.

Sophia Cross

School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

This summer I worked with Tyler Wright, the regional Health Council Coordinator in the Northeast Regional Health Office in the community services division. I participated in health councils across the region, and I am so grateful to have been introduced to so many different people. We also worked on creating brochures advertising the health councils, and creating a resource guide to better connect both health council members and community members. Using what I've learned this summer, I hope to continue my Bachelor of Science in Public Health in Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and hopefully pursue a Master's Degree!

Cheyenne Gallina

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: State Laboratory

Makayla Leake

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: East Regional Health Office

This summer I worked with my preceptor Erika Hampton and fellow intern Gracie Hitchcock at the East Regional Health Office in the Communicable and Environmental Diseases Department to lower the rates of STIs in East Tennessee through condom distribution. Gracie and I have spent our internship going to each of the 15 rural counties in the East region to distribute condoms to businesses and organizations with the goal of promoting safe sex practices and condom usage in these communities. However, through this internship, I also have bettered my skills in interpersonal communication, built new connections with people within our community, and learned more about fostering open conversation and trust when talking about taboo topics. Using what I've learned, I hope to finish my Bachelor's Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health from East Tennessee State University and then continue my education by getting a Master's Degree in Epidemiology.

Shaxper McCarver

School: Vanderbilt Law School
Degree: Juris Doctor
Placement: Office of General Counsel

During my internship with the Office of General Counsel, I had the opportunity to engage in a variety of impactful legal tasks. I conducted comprehensive research on statutes, rules, and regulations governing healthcare professionals across all 50 states. This allowed me to develop a thorough understanding of the legal landscape affecting the healthcare industry nationwide. I attended administrative trials for health professionals, which has provided me with firsthand experience in observing legal proceedings and understanding the practical application of health law. I presented my research findings to the Development Committee for the Board of Medical Examiners. This experience honed my public speaking and presentation skills, as well as my ability to convey complex legal information effectively. Finally, I helped compile a comprehensive case law and motion library for the Office of General Counsel. This resource was designed to streamline the research process for attorneys, enhancing efficiency and accessibility to critical legal information. Overall, my internship provided me with invaluable insights and practical experience in health law, significantly contributing to my professional growth and development.

Jasmine Mumpfield

School: UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health 
Degree: Master of Public Health, Maternal, Child, and Family Health
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

Celeste O'Brien

School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Degree: Master of Public Health, Applied Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

This summer, I had the opportunity to return to TDH as an intern with the Tennessee Birth Defects Surveillance System to complete a project analyzing critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) in Tennessee from 2018-2023. This project provided me the opportunity to strengthen my skills in data analysis and visualization, and I'm grateful for the chance to complete such valuable work with such an incredible team! In the next year, I will complete my Master of Public Health in Applied Epidemiology, and it is my hope to continue to work on such valuable projects that allow me to develop skills in data analysis, visualization, and epidemiology.

Apeksha Phulgirkar

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Health
Placement: Division of Community Health Services, Oral Health Services

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Oral Health Services, working closely with Lauren Weiland, Laura Hopper, and Dr. Crystal Manners. My primary responsibility was to set up a REDCap survey project for a basic screening initiative. This survey is intended to assess the oral health status of 3rd-grade children across Tennessee through a statewide school-based screening program. Additionally, I developed training materials for the screeners, ensuring they could effectively navigate the REDCap survey platform.  This internship has been an invaluable addition to my journey as an MPH candidate in the Global Health Track at Vanderbilt University. It provided me with the chance to engage directly with the community and gain hands-on experience in a public health office setting. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of public health policies, particularly those related to oral health, as well as the importance of community engagement and the role of oral health programs in improving access and outcomes for Tennesseans.  This experience has not only enriched my professional skills but also reinforced my confidence that pursuing a career in dental public health is the right path for me. I am more committed than ever to advancing oral health initiatives and making a meaningful impact in the field.

Sharla Rahman

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

This semester I worked with Dr. Emilee Bauer and Elizabeth Berardi on the cancer county profile project. I learned how to compare and analyze county-level cancer statistics, which is crucial for identifying trends and patterns in cancer incidence and mortality.  This project provided hands-on experience with real data, deepening my understanding of cancer research and public health. Working on this project was an invaluable learning experience for me. It allowed me to engage with real data and apply my skills in a meaningful way. My interest in cancer research has grown significantly through this internship and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important area of public health.

Hannah Schluter

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Division of Family Health and Wellness

During my Summer internship at TDH, I had the absolute pleasure to work with Tennessee's Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (TBCSP) team on updating their breast cancer surveillance reports. This experience grew my knowledge around the public health issues Tennessee faces with regards to breast and cervical cancer. Furthermore, the main skills I have gained during my internship include (but not limited to) data analysis, data visualization, ArcGIS geocoding software, and excel. Utilizing the skills and real world application of epidemiology I have gained from my internship, in addition to eventually graduating with my Master's in Public Health degree from Vanderbilt University, I am looking forward to making an impact towards women's health through the field of epidemiology!

Haniya Shariff

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health, Health Policy
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

This summer, I worked with the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) team and contributed to the team’s special projects and efforts that improve the health, well-being and resiliency of Tennessee communities. My projects included developing content for our Tennessee Vitality Toolkit, creating data visualizations that capture state disparities, upgrading a training tool and building a survey to gather data and feedback about community grantee projects. From this experience, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of strategic initiatives on a state and local level. After an enjoyable and insightful experience with the OSI team, I look forward to extending my internship for another academic semester before finishing my Master’s Degree in Health Policy and Management from Vanderbilt University.

Olivia Welch

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: State Laboratory

Ligia Maria Alfaro-Cruz

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

This semester I worked with Shamia Roberts to expand education in Viral Hepatitis C screening, diagnosis, and management in the pediatric population. During this semester, we were able to create didactic presentations, as well as brochures and small Q&A sessions with local healthcare providers in Northeast Tennessee, bringing updates of the new guidelines focusing on early screening. From my internship, I feel I was able to translate my theoretical knowledge into practice, visiting our communities and learning more about ongoing medical practices. As I plan to graduate this year from my Master of Public Health program from East Tennessee State University, I plan to continue working on expanding education across the State.

Melissa Allison

School: George Washington University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Hospital Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI-AR) Program

This semester I worked with Jessica A. Burns on the hospital acquired infections infection preventionist team within the Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness Division. My project was to perform a water management needs assessment of long term care facilities within the state to prevent waterborne diseases. This included educating facilities on best practices, collecting data in the REDCap system, creating a step-by-step guidebook to get them started, and analysis of the data through Excel and Tableau and sharing that data with the facilities. I feel I have bettered my skills in data analysis and health education. I will be completing my Master's Degree in Public Health from George Washington University before looking for public health opportunities utilizing my infection prevention and epidemiology skills.

Benjamin Antwi

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

During my internship at the Tennessee Department of Health's COVID-19 Cluster Response Team, I played a key role in transitioning a data quality project from production to development status in REDCap and conducted thorough analyses to address internal data quality issues. Within this project, I conducted a data entry audit using information from past COVID-19 clusters to address internal data quality issues. I developed a basic idea that the COVID-19 Cluster Response team had for a project and transformed it into a thorough analysis that gave the team useful insights into areas that could be improved upon to make the data more robust.  In my second project, using CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (CDC/ATSDR SVI) data, I compared COVID-19 cluster surveillance data of nursing homes across Tennessee based on the county social vulnerability status. The results showed a higher COVID-19 burden for nursing homes in higher socially vulnerable counties, emphasizing the need to address health disparities.  I learned to use various software applications such as REDCap, NEDSS, SAS, and Tableau and improved and received certification for ArcGIS Pro. I used Venngage to develop reports for communication of the project findings.

Carla Augustin

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Office

This semester I worked with Jessica Hawley to create an OBGYN resource list for our Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) syphilis team. I was also able to shadow different health department workers to see how everyone comes together to support the people of Tennessee. I feel that I have bettered my skills in peer-to-peer communication, infographic making, and administrative duties. I hope to start my master’s degree in public health this coming fall, and I believe everything that I learned at the Mid-Cumberland Regional Office will help me accomplish my professional and career goals. 

Bessie Boclaire

School: Nashville State Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science, Administrative and Professional Technology
Placement: Health Licensure and Regulation

This semester, I was able to use my current role as a Regularity Board Administrative Assistant II to complete my internship requirements. During my internship, I was able to gain more knowledge about the Tennessee Department of Health and the different roles that are available. I also had the opportunity to work closely with healthcare professionals and learn about the various regulations and policies that govern public health. While I continue my career with TDH, I will be transferring to Austin Peay State University to complete my bachelor’s degree, majoring in business administration with human resources as my concentration. I am excited to continue growing professionally and contributing to the important work of the Tennessee Department of Health

Rebeca Cisneros Rivera

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Health Care Management
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

This semester, I worked with Adalberto Valdez and Elesha Taylor to plan, organize, and launch a Mental Health Fair for Wilson County. This is a county-wide event to launch and promote the newly created Mental Health Committee that formed under the guidance of Mayor Hutto to streamline mental health services, remove, or reduce any gaps for treatment or services, and to see how community partners and stakeholders can better work together to ensure everyone has access to the care they need. During this internship, I have seen how confident I have grown in speaking in meetings, participating in community outreach events, and learning new platforms such as Canva Pro and PowerPoint. I also got to see firsthand the various budgets that the county health director must manage and was able to sit in at the annual Board of Health meeting with all the supervisors. This will help me tremendously in my professional life and will be useful when I go back to Austin Peay State University for my Master’s in Healthcare Administration. My goal is to join the Tennessee Department of Health in an administrative or program guidance capacity to serve my community and the State of Tennessee. I believe in helping the community and know I will find my way working as a public health professional.

Lauren Clayton

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Office

This semester I worked with Misty Claude at the Communty Health and Wellness Office at the Mid-Cumberland Regional Office to improve and expand my knowledge of Health Education. Over the semester I was able to attend Health Council meetings of various counties, utilize Canva and Microsoft software to create educational / promotional content, and assist in the planning and execution of community events. Through my internship I have been able to better my public speaking skills, interpersonal communication, and get an accurate view of what a career in public health could look like. With what I've learned I hope to earn my Master's in Public Health at East Tennessee State University and persue a career in Health Education.

Anna Marie Cooksey

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health Education
Placement: East Regional Health Office, CEDS

This semester, I worked with the East Region Communicable and Environmental Disease Department (CEDS) to develop resources for providers regarding syphilis. During my internship I was able to attend trainings, work with multiple CEDS team members, and practice both epidemiological and community health education principles. I will be graduating in May with my Master of Public Health Degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I have already passed my Certified Health Education Specialist exam and have accepted a position serving as the public health educator for Grainger and Union Counties.

Enrique Covarrubias

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Management
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

Lauren Davis

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Degree: Master of Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention
Placement: Southeast Regional Health Office, Emergency Preparedness

This semester I worked with Robert Goff and Sydney Clark to develop a plan for feeding infants in emergency shelters. The plan provides a comprehensive list of items that would help parents or caregivers feed their infant, such as manual breast pumps, information for lactation support, bottles, wash basins, formula, and many other items. I feel the internship has provided me with a better understanding of public health, and I have a better understanding of how the Tennessee Department of Health operates. This has been a wonderful experience and this experience has made me more confident in my abilities to collaborate with others.

Catherine Fuko

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office, Epidemiology

During my enriching internship at the Northeast Regional Health Office under the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), I collaborated closely with a team of seasoned professionals. Sarah Boop, (CEDS director), served as my preceptor, guiding me through the intricacies of public health practice. Alongside Sarah, Hopelyn Mooney, the esteemed regional epidemiologist, provided invaluable insights into epidemiological methods and strategies. Additionally, working alongside Dr. David Kirschke, the esteemed Regional Medical Director, provided me with unique insights into research and infectious epidemiology knowledge. Their collective mentorship not only facilitated my acquisition of hands-on experience but also honed my critical thinking abilities, laying a robust foundation for my future endeavors in the field of public health.

Dionne Gray

School: Grand Canyon University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Emergency Management
Placement: Southeast Regional Health Office, Emergency Preparedness

Sydney Hall

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Southeast Regional Health Office

This semester I worked with Glenn Czarnecki in the Southeast Regional Office. During this internship I shadowed the Regional Director, and attended 8 mid year assessments, aging sectors partners meeting, a health council meeting, cultural diversity training, and regional management meeting. This experience allowed me to gain insights into various aspects of public health practice, such as community needs assessment, collaboration with local health authorities, and understanding the importance of cultural competence in healthcare delivery. Some skills I was able to improve during this time were data analysis, communication, and networking. Using what I have learned from this internship I will take with me in my future endeavors to pursue a career in healthcare administration after graduating with my Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Natalie Hasbrooke

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Family Health and Wellness

Helena Horsley

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Communication
Placement: Southeast Regional Health Office

This semester I worked with Amanda Goodhard designing graphics for the Health Department. From my internship, I feel that I've bettered my graphic design skills, grown in my knowledge of public health, and deepened my professional skills. Using what I've learned, I plan to pursue a career in Communication or business in Nashville or Chattanooga.

Skyler Hughes

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Education, Child Studies
Placement: Strategic Initiatives

Helen Iang

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

Obinna Ikwuka

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

This semester I worked with Sarah Boop at the Northeast Region of the Tennessee Department of Health. I Conducted data analysis on the Tennessee Department of Health Northeast Regional dataset to determine the relationship between the dental caries rate and water fluoridation in the Northeast region. I also worked on outbreak investigations. This internship provided me with experience to work with real-life data and gain valuable skills as an epidemiologist. I hope to employ the knowledge I have gained in the fight against infectious diseases.

Julianne January

School: South College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Bradley County Health Department

This semester I worked with the Bradley County Department of Health to be a project leader for Bradley County's Community Health Assessment. Although the Community Health Assessment is still in progress, doing this assessment for my Masters in Public Health practicum has given me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the area's health needs. Over the past ten weeks, I have learned the value of public health professionals and their goal to improve the lives of as many people as possible through forming meaningful relationships with people of all ages and lifestyles. From my internship, I have learned new skills such as data visualization, presenting research to public health professionals, and communication skills that will prepare me for future networking and continuing my journey in public health. Using what I have experienced during this internship, I plan to complete my Masters in Public Health from South College and continue a new chapter in my public health journey by beginning pharmacy school at the same institution.

Sophiya Marsani

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

James Mason

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health and Health Policy
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office, Emergeny Preparedness

Nikki Mastrud

School: Emory University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Epidemiology
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Waterborne/Zoonotic Diseases

Tevin Mathew

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Health
Placement: Region IV Intern, Traumatic Brain Injury Program

During my internship, I designed an evaluation plan for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program. I first researched other states’ methodologies for evaluating their TBI programs to inform my proposed plan. I then worked alongside an interdisciplinary team to assess the evaluation capacity of the TBI Program and to develop various deliverables, including a logic model, PEST Analysis, and Stakeholder Analysis. Utilizing these deliverables, my preceptor and I designed the evaluation questions, which led me to create surveys in English and Spanish, a focus group protocol, and a data analysis and dissemination plan. I then presented the evaluation plan to the TBI Advisory Council. Overall, I enjoyed my internship, and I am so appreciative for the TBI team for their collaboration.

Morgan O'Brien

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Foodborne and Enteric Diseases

Anthony Ozoh

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Science, Health Care Informatics
Placement: Office of Informatic and Analytics, Data Governance

Suprithi Pingle

School: Emory University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Newborn Screening and Birth Defects Surveillance Program

This semester I worked with the Tennessee Birth Defects Surveillance System (TNBDSS) and the Newborn Screening (NBS) programs to create informational resources to raise awareness about genetic testing and develop a surveillance system to track referral outcomes. From my internship, I have improved my research and data analysis skills and engaged in collaborative efforts with diverse public health professionals. I hope to use this knowledge as I complete my Masters in Public Health degree with a focus on Epidemiology at Emory Rollins School of Public Health and continue work in the field of maternal and child health.

Blake Qualls

School: Austin Peay State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Strategic Initiatives

Jordan Shipley

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness, Strategic Initiatives

This semester I worked with Lindsey Ferraro on the Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness (CEDEP) Strategic Initiatives Team to evaluate the Mental Health Instructor Classes, perform a literature review on mental health in the public health workforce, and contribute to the CEDEP annual report by aggregating and visualizing data on select reportable diseases. From my internship, I've been able to develop my skills in teamwork, attention to detail, and my understanding of what public health looks like in real practice. I plan to finish my Master's in Public Health from the University of Tennessee before pursuing a further career in public relations within public health.

Yasmine Shivere

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Art, Medicine, Health, and Society
Placement: Family Health and Wellness

Tia Valentino

School: Belmont University
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Public Health
Placement: Family Health and Wellness

Kelsey Warren

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Public Health, Community Health
Placement: Family Health and Wellness

During my internship, I had the opportunity to work on a number of projects supporting Family Health and Wellness initiatives. My primary project involved supporting the Project Diabetes grant in conducting grantee interviews to discuss the public health impact and sustainability. In addition, I worked on chronic disease resources and social media content. I look forward to applying the skills I learned in my future projects.

Ruoyu Zhang

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Science, Biostatistics
Placement: Public Health Assessment, Office of the Cancer Registry

This semester I worked with Dr. Martin Whiteside to improve my intern experience by evaluating potential factors associated with lung cancer survival in Tennessee through survival analysis. The hands-on experience of conducting survival analysis with real-world data substantially strengthened my technical skills in statistical analysis, modeling, and programming using SAS software.

Lindsey E. Allison

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health - Community Health Education
Placement: Monroe and Loudon County Health Departments

Abanoub S. Aziz

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Science in Professional Science - Biostatistics
Placement: Division of Population Health Assessment

Experience: The main goal of my internship was to perform survival analysis on the lung cancer dataset. First, I worked on proving Kaplan-Meier graphs on all the variables. Then, I did cox regression on all the variables to explore the effects of covariants on survival time.

Kaileigh M. Cash

School: South College
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunizations Program

Courtney L. Chaston

School: Tennessee Technological University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology
Placement: Upper Cumberland Regional Health Office

Experience: Over the semester, I have participated in multiple projects that have given me a broad understanding of the regional health offices. My most exciting task was creating one-page infographics that explain a variety of infectious diseases. These infographics are distributed to local facilities to give public health employees a quick reference to rising diseases. Another interesting task I assisted with was rearranging data for the upcoming UDS report. This report combines all county health department data and allows the state to compare our regional averages with the state and national averages.

Maya M. Clinton

School: Western Kentucky University
Degree: Master of Healthcare Administration
Placement: Division of Health Planning

Experience: During my health planning internship, I had the opportunity to work closely with a team of experienced professionals in developing community health programs. I conducted research on health disparities and analyzed data to identify areas of improvement. I also assisted in organizing health education workshops and collaborated with community organizations to promote wellness initiatives. Overall, the internship provided me with valuable hands-on experience in planning and implementing health interventions.

Mimi A. Coffey 

School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Office of Strategic Initiatives

Experience: Engaging in strategic planning and reporting processes fostered the development of big-picture thinking, encouraging a focus on long-term goals and organizational impact. Through creative facilitation of systems diagrams and evaluation of dashboards and diverse funding streams, I honed my ability to conceptualize and communicate complex public health topics and solutions. In a unique application of these skills, I gained insight into the development of the Tennessee 4-Year strategic plan, involving the submission to Customer-Focused Government (CFG) and the creation of targeted objectives and action steps. During my internship, I undertook a series of projects that culminated in a presentation exploring lessons from successful global health strategies, emphasizing the overlap of social determinants of health in both global and local contexts, and facilitating discussion on their applicability at the state level. By sharing my journey in understanding this interconnectedness, I aimed to inspire reflection on how such insights could shape personal and professional perspectives in public health practice.

Dalton P. Ford

School: East Tennessee State University, College of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
Placement: Waterborne and Zoonotic Disease Program

Experience: I examined and reported on trends in Cryptosporidium exposure and subtype data in Tennessee between January 2018 to November 2023. This data is sent to the CDC Cryptosporidium surveillance system known as CryptoNet, and it is the first comprehensive analysis of this data in Tennessee. Several exposure and demographic variables were analyzed, and the findings were consistent with previous literature and national trends. This report helps shed some light on areas of higher concern for Cryptosporidium infections in Tennessee.

Fatima G. Garcia

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Community and Public Health
Placement: Wilson County Health Department

Experience: My project was based on addressing the lack of walkable communities in Wilson County, Tennessee. The project focuses on implementing sidewalks near elementary schools and by the Wilson County Health Department. The goal for my project is to draw attention to the many benefits that sidewalks in specific communities can provide to Wilson County’s growing population.

Jennifer G. Hinson 

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Experience: For my internship, I was tasked with building a sexual network map (SNM) of TN syphilis cases and contacts from PRISM data collected since 2010 by my preceptor Dr. Ruby Yadav, CEDEP STI Surveillance Director. A sexual network map displays information about how STIs spread from person to person. My responsibilities included using the programming language R to clean the data, create new variables/datasets, and create network graphs. The SNM is a resource for Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) that’s as easy to read as a road map to help ensure priority populations cases are identified and treated. I have learned a lot about epidemiological disease surveillance and I’m very grateful to everyone on my team and TDH for this opportunity.

Sara J. Jacobs

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Human and Organizational Development and Medicine, Health, and Society
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Experience: I will forever value my time as an intern at the TN Department of Health under the Systems Surveillance and Informatics division. I was able to complete various projects on REDCap from creating surveys for TN employees to leading introductory division-wide REDCap training. Furthermore, I expanded CEDEP’s REDCap repository through creating new step-by-step instructional guides with Scribe. Lastly, I had the privilege to attend several esteemed trainings such as the TN Emerging Infection Program Annual Scientific Presentation with top public health professionals from around the world.

Mahitha Kasturi 

School: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health, Global Epidemiology
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Amanda K. Krueger 

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: South Central Regional Health Office

Experience: The major projects completed during my internship at the South-Central Regional Office included a variety of elements regarding mental health. The first was a report regarding the status of mental health in the South-Central Region. This report highlighted several key data sets regarding mental health and Social Determinates of Health.  A presentation about the report and key information was presented to regional CHANT staff during a staff meeting. Another key element of this was a Community Provider and Resource Directory for the region. This directory included information and resources for the state mental health services, local county mental health resources, pediatric care, dental services, social services, and food pantries for all staff to have access to when helping community members.  My final element to my project included informational resources for mental health awareness that included flyers and other media needs for county health councils to have access to and use in their efforts in their community.

Heather I. Mendez

School: University of Florida
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness

Experience: I am completing a remote internship with the Tennessee Department of Health where I have been afforded the opportunity to work within the Food-borne and Enteric Disease program of the Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness division.

My deliverables include developing a surveillance database that will allow for the collection, analysis and reporting of Cholera and Vibrio cases within the state of Tennessee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, this database can be used to run analysis reports of imported data to help guide future planning of health interventions. I also created a presentation to share our processes with the Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence within the country, titled "COVIS Surveillance: a data exchange work around.

It has truly been a rewarding experience to work on practical projects that will be implemented and hopefully nationally scaled to other state programs.

Julius D. Morris

School: East Tennessee State University
Degree: Bachelor of Public Health
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Experience: I actively worked alongside my preceptor, who is the emergency response coordinator for the Northeast region, to create a simulated emergency response exercise. Together, we designed a realistic scenario involving an influenza outbreak in our region. I played a role in researching for the exercise, modifying the presentation, and acting as a facilitator during the exercise. I facilitated discussions, ensured participants were actively engaged, and passed out informational materials that went along with the presentation. Afterward, I contributed to the debriefing process, gathering feedback and lessons learned to improve our region’s emergency response to a public health crisis.  

Lipika Narisetti

School: Vanderbilt University
Degree: Bachelor of Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society
Placement: Family Health and Wellness

Experience: During my internship, I had the opportunity to work on a number of projects supporting Family Health and Wellness initiatives. My primary project involved supporting the FHW's care coordination and program referral processes by serving as a consultant for the FindHelp platform. As part of this project, I completed a series of findhelp.org trainings, receiving certification to assist new programs in effectively utilizing the platform. I also organized and led meetings with representatives of various FHW offices to assist them in adding their programs to FindHelp. Another project that I worked on was writing a report on strategies to effectively address sexual violence and rape in Tennessee, with a focus on community engagement, public awareness, community-based interventions, and shifts in social norms. This research helped inform a federal grant application and community initiatives aimed at mitigating sexual violence and providing support to survivors. Overall, I really enjoyed my internship and look forward to applying what I've learned to a career in medicine.

Isabella B. Reid 

School: East Tennessee State University, College of Public Health
Degree: Master of Public Health
Placement: Northeast Regional Health Office

Experience: During my internship, I had the opportunity to complete an outbreak investigation from start to finish. I was able to conduct interviews, create line lists and epi curves, collect environmental samples, conduct a case-control study, and educate organizations for prevention. The hands-on field epidemiology experience I gained with TDH was invaluable. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.

Judyi R. Smith

School: Middle Tennessee State University
Degree: Master of Science in Professional Science - Health Care Informatics
Placement: Rutherford County Health Department

Experience: This experience has helped to shape me into a stronger professional. It has opened my eyes to wider range of possible career opportunities. It also shown me the impact that local county health departments have on their communities. Moreover, I am grateful to have been able to experience this internship. I don’t have a definite plan right now; however, I hope to join a company that allows me to grow and continue to mature into a wonderful professional.

Devon Lewis

School: University of Alabama, Birmingham
Degree: Master of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Experience: My role this semester working with the End the Syndemic project was to utilize digital mapping software to automate a process that allows for the determination on whether a location can be used as a Syringe Service Program. The location needs to follow zoning requirements (minimum 1000 feet away from a school, park, or greenway, 2000 feet in some counties with a lower population) to qualify to participate in the program. Another aspect of my project was to help determine which counties across the state are affected by the negative health outcomes as well as the social determinants of health that prevent effective intervention.

Kayley Pyles

School: Western Kentucky University
Degree: Bachelor of Public Health

Experience: One of the main projects I was able to work on while at the Gallatin Health Department was Walk Across Sumner. Walk Across Sumner is a 5K and mile fun run that is open to friends and families to participate in. During this project, I was able to attend meetings, make phone calls to sponsors, make flyers, and write "Thank You" letters. On the day of, I oversaw registration and making sure everything was running smoothly. It was an amazing experience!

Mary Adeyemo

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Lamiya Adri

School: Vanderbilt University

Anjola-Oluwa A. Ajayi

School: Vanderbilt University

Gbemisola Akinteye

School: Vanderbilt University

Ariana Allgood

School: Not applicable

Nicole Anderson

School: Vanderbilt University

Kajol Dahal

School: East Tennessee State University

Vyshnavi Dandanayakula

School: Not applicable

Genevieve Delano

School: Vanderbilt University

Holly Eaves

School: Belmont University

Alex (Cole) Farmer

School: East Tennessee State University

Lauren Finklea

School: Georgia State University

Adyson Goldberg

School: Tennessee Technological University

Anna Gordon

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Thilini Gurusinghe

School: University of Missouri

Imelda Gutierrez

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Ashton Helveston

School: Vanderbilt University

Corianne Johnson

School: Vanderbilt University

Giselle Oliver

School: Belmont University

Ben Pederson

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Caroline Peterson

School: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

Claire Piercey

School: Lipscomb University

Keerthi Reddy Chaduvula Venkata

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Silas Taiget

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Ziad Ahmed

School: Not applicable

Sandra Anazor Obianuju

School: East Tennessee State University

Geeta Bhattari

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Emilie Bordeau

School: East Tennessee State University

Jeri Dossett

School: East Tennessee State University

Brittany Gutierrez-Kitto

School: Vanderbilt University

Alan Holloway

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Chisom Nwankeki

School: East Tennessee State University

Rylie Payne

School: East Tennessee State University

Laney Puhalla

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Nyia Sayle

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Imuwahen Uzzi

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Britt Willis

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Olubukola Adenyemo

School: Tennessee State University

Kendall Basham

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Gabrielle Chesak

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Savannah Childress

School: Vanderbilt University

Madeline Kiger

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Paula Lara

School: Not applicable

Salem Negasi

School: Belmont University

Alyssa Powers

School: Belmont University

Abigail Anderson

School: East Tennessee State University

Robert 'Bobby' Berger

School: East Tennessee State University

Nathan Beuerlein

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Amanda Blackwedler

School: East Tennessee State University

Aaliyah Cannon

School: Austin Peay State University

Maya Carter

School: West Virginia University

Raegan Coleman

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Carol Davis

School: Emory University

Megan Davis

School: Vanderbilt University

Mariah Dee

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Meredith Denny

School: Vanderbilt University

Dannielle Gibson

School: Vanderbilt University

Sophie Goldenberg

School: Vanderbilt University

Mya Gray

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Kyle Hart 

School: Vanderbilt University

Noufa Khan

School: University of Washington

Tucker L. Finch

School: Berea College

An Le

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Jordyn Lesh

School: Tulane University

Yufei Long

School: Vanderbilt University

Hannah M. Duiven

School: Vanderbilt University

Celeste O’Brien

School: Belmont University

Mariagorathy Okonkwo

School: Tennessee State University

Mariam Olutusin

School: University of Memphis

Jason Pan

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Jazmyn Pickstock

School: Belmont University

Rishi Pillai

School: Vanderbilt University

Jennifer Sanchez

School: East Tennessee State University

Sarah (Grace) Scephens 

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Siddharth Sheth

School: University of Texas, Dallas

Alycia Shipley

School: Vanderbilt University

Barrett Smith

School: Vanderbilt University

Natalie Smith

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Clair Umstead

School: Vanderbilt University

Polly Warner

School: George Washington University

Joshua Woods

School: Vanderbilt University

Emily Xaysongkham

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Kendra Yokely

School: Tennessee State University

Lillian Adamson

School: Belmont University

Deviyani Bajpai

School: Belmont University

Megan Ballew

School: Liberty University

Augustine Chung

School: Vanderbilt University

Dreama Coats

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Mary Ferris

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Octavia Forrest

School: Belmont University

Joshua Ho

School: Saint Louis University

Amy Moody

School: Nebraska Medical College

Jesslyn Sloan

School: Belmont University

Mariah Cabrello

School: Vanderbilt University

Abby Carpenter

School: University of Tennessee, Health Science Center

Austin Fernandez

School: Vanderbilt University

Rachel Jameson

School: Vanderbilt University

Kristyne Mansilla-Dubon

School: Vanderbilt University

Yolanda McDonald

School: Vanderbilt University

Kathleen McGuire

School: East Tennessee State University

Donia Mousley

School: Belmont University

Ben O'Connell

School: Emory University

Krusha Patel

School: Tennessee State University

Olivia (Claire) Robinson

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Jacob Shultz

School: East Tennessee State University

Robert Stilz

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Cassidy Townsend

School: Belmont University

Cyndy Vasquez

School: Johns Hopkins University

Anna Wisotzkey

School: Vanderbilt University

Levi Blazer

School: Belmont University

Hannah Hull Ocker

School: East Tennessee State University

Trenton Jiles

School: Belmont University

Maggie Morris

School: East Tennessee State University

Isaac Stovall

School: Not applicable

Alberta TwiYeboah

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Simur Halefom

School: Not applicable

Ashley James

School: Not applicable

Janelle Wenstrup

School: University of Missouri

Latisha Baker

School: Tennessee State University

Mary Landau

School: University of Florida

Colton McKay

School: Not applicable

Taylore Melton

School: University of Tennessee, Martin

Cassandra Oliver

School: Vanderbilt University

Morgan Osbun

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Haley Renner

School: Not applicable

Iqra Sheikh

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Sherard Stephens

School: Vanderbilt University

Amy Su

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Inyene Ukpong

School: Belmont University

Caitlin Washburn

School: Vanderbilt University

Ashli Alexander

School: Vanderbilt University

Erin Boshers

School: University of Alabama, Birmingham

Meave Brennan

School: University of Albany

Keni Gray Timmons

School: East Tennessee State University

Farrah Hasan

School: Vanderbilt University

Mackenzie Jackson

School: Vanderbilt University

Lauren Kuzma

School: East Tennessee State University

Alison (Yu) Qiao

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Laura Shaw

School: Meharry University

Anagha Ashokan

School: Johns Hopkins University

Richard Brawley

School: University of Tennessee, Martin

Kirsten Cottingham

School: Meharry University

Emoni Degon

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Chris Elmlinger

School: Emory University

Peter Hsu

School: Vanderbilt University

Kasey James

School: Emory University

Christopher Justus

School: University of Tennessee, Health Science Center

Jamie Means

School: Meharry University

Jessica Milholm

School: Kansas State University

Autumn Montgomery

School: Meharry University

Tiana Moorer

School: Berea College

Muna Muday

School: Vanderbilt University

Varvara Probst

School: Vanderbilt University

Justine Rolava

School: Austin Peay State University

Smita Saji

School: University of South Florida

Chanasawan Souvannasing

School: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Ihouma Tasie

School: Meharry University

Julia Vesely

School: Tennessee Technological University

Marcelle Bulla

School: Belmont University

Natalie Cagianese

School: Kent State University

Heather Grome

School: Vanderbilt University

Haily Howard

School: Austin Peay State University

Amanda Johnson

School: East Tennessee State University

Josephine Kutting

School: Liberty University

Sarah Mayberry

School: Vanderbilt University

Brent Newman

School: Tennessee State University

Jaehyun Shin

School: Vanderbilt University

Adam Tomlinson

School: Austin Peay State University

Helene Treu

School: University of Alabama, Birmingham

Anup Challa

School: Vanderbilt University

Monika Conrad

School: Austin Peay State University

Jacinta Ejirefe

School: Liberty University

Teanna Hayes

School: Austin Peay State University

Katrece Holland

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Randi Jacobson

School: Austin Peay State University

Estrella Ndriansay

School: Middle Tennessee State University

Yesenia Sanchez

School: Morehead State University

Tiarra Williamson

School: Tennessee State University

Olatayo Akindele

School: Not applicable

Jessica Barnett

School: Not applicable

John Maxwell

School: Not applicable

Micah McGlathery

School: Not applicable

Sylvie Muhimpundu

School: Not applicable

Meghana Parikh

School: Not applicable

Margaret Smith

School: Not applicable

Jennifer Trumbo

School: Not applicable