Dr. Alex Howard is the Vice President for Health & Wellness at Dogwood Health Trust, where he oversees a $17 million grantmaking portfolio supporting health-related services across 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina. He focuses on eliminating health disparities and developing strategic partnerships. Before joining Dogwood in 2022, Alex serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University, overseeing student health services and policies. Previously, he is a faculty member at the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health, where he helps establish the Bachelor of Public Health program and manages practicum placements for graduate students. In November 2024, he receives the Distinguished Leader Award at the College of Public Health Hall of Fame.

Dr. Feitong Lei is a research assistant professor in the Division of Cancer Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky. She earns both her MPH in Biostatistics and PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health. Her research applies advanced epidemiological and biostatistical methods to population-based studies. She leads projects on opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment using Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data as part of her PhD dissertation. Her current work focuses on disparities in survival, treatment outcomes, and quality of life among cancer patients using cancer registry and administrative claims data.

Ashley Carroll serves as the Local Health Department Workforce Training Program Administrator for the Center for Foundational Health at the Kentucky Department for Public Health. She supports workforce development initiatives for the Kentucky Health Departments Association (KHDA) and collaborates with KDPH programs to enhance training, education, and professional development opportunities for Local Health Department employees. Ashley earns her Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science from Messiah University and her MPH in Health Systems and Policy Analytics from the University of Kentucky. Before her current role, she interns with the Center for Foundational Health for a year. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys traveling with her fiancé and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing.

Elizabeth Edwards is a college health epidemiologist within the Applied Public Health department at the University of Michigan, where she oversees disease surveillance, infection prevention, and research initiatives on campus. She also mentors undergraduate and graduate students on public health and epidemiology projects. Elizabeth earns both her BPH (2020) and MPH in Epidemiology (2021) from the University of Kentucky. She begins her public health career as a COVID-19 Disease Investigator and later works as a health data analyst for the University of Michigan’s University Health Service. In April 2024, she joins the Applied Public Health department as the Epidemiology and Infection Prevention Supervisor. She is passionate about preventing disease and injury within the university community and creating valuable learning experiences for students.

Honour Hill is the Director of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives for March of Dimes in Alabama. She specializes in program evaluation, needs assessment, and maternal and child health policy. Honour earns her MPH in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership from the University of Alabama Birmingham and holds a certificate in social marketing. She is trained in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and is pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health. She works with state health entities in Alabama, Tennessee, and Wisconsin and chairs the Maternal Child Health/Substance Use Subcommittee of the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Luke, and their Anatolian Shepherd, Auggie.