Charlotte Baker, DrPH, MPH, has been named the 2024 Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence recipient on behalf of the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Public Health (CPH). Baker was among nearly 35 University of Kentucky alumni and students honored at the 33rd annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards luncheon on Oct. 11 in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom.
The Lyman T. Johnson Awards are named after the trailblazing civil rights activist who, in 1949, became the first African American student admitted to the University of Kentucky. The Torch of Excellence award honors individuals who embody the values of justice, perseverance, and leadership in their field, principles that Johnson championed throughout his life.
“This is a huge honor. Lyman T. Johnson was an amazing person, and his spirit still thrives in UK students, particularly within the Black community at UK, to not ever back down,” Baker said. “Being acknowledged for my perseverance to keep going even in tough times, always fight for what’s right, and keep going even though others have not believed in my ideas or me is exciting.
“To receive an award named after someone who fought hard to challenge status quo and lit the fire in others means I must be living life right.”
Baker’s journey into public health began with a love for sports and a desire to make a positive impact on athletes’ health. Initially pursuing a degree in athletic training at Appalachian State University (App State), she envisioned a career where she could directly influence the well-being of athletes. However, her academic path shifted when she discovered a broader interest in fostering health beyond just the sports field, leading her to switch her major to Health Promotion.
A pivotal moment in her career came when she enrolled in an epidemiology course in pursuit of her Master of Public Health (MPH) at App State. Under the guidance of Dr. Alan Utter, Professor and Program Director in the Department of Health & Exercise Science, she developed a passion for understanding how health could be measured and improved at the community and population level. Dr. Utter’s influence and support encouraged her to explore the wider impact of health on communities and fueled her determination to address health disparities and promote health equity.
When Baker was looking for the right program to further her studies beyond her MPH, the University of Kentucky College of Public Health stood out for its diverse range of projects and its well-structured doctorate in public health (DrPH) curriculum.
“I was looking for a strong but smaller program where I could pursue my interest in injury,” she said. “I was attracted to UK because of the diversity, the variety of projects I could see that students pursued, and the structure of the DrPH curriculum.”
Baker’s decision to attend UK was cemented during her interview process. On a day when a snowstorm was approaching Lexington, Pam Washington, former Administrative Assistant at CPH and Laverne Carter, former Director of Admissions at CPH, went above and beyond to ensure she felt welcome and cared for.
“Before I left, Pam and Laverne made sure I’d be okay in the snow and even checked to see if I needed a ride to my hotel,” she said. “Their kindness and concern weren’t just about the interview—they were about me as a person. That kind of support made me feel like CPH was the right place for me.”
During her time at CPH, Baker worked as a research assistant for Linda A. Alexander, EdD, on community-based participatory research projects focused on tobacco use and cessation and for Jeff Jones, PhD, on data harmonization. These experiences allowed her to apply her knowledge of health promotion and data analysis while gaining deeper insights into public health systems and community responses. In her practicum with the Kentucky Department of Public Health, she helped develop and implement a mass-event preparedness plan for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, to be held in the United States for the first time, which deepened her commitment to public health preparedness.
Currently, Baker serves as the Director of Epidemiology and Health Equity Lead at Truveta, overseeing a vast partnership of more than 30 health systems and leveraging electronic health records from more than 100 million patients to advance public health research.
“Moving forward, I want to keep using data to solve problems that matter to communities,” she said. “I want to keep working with students and professionals in low, middle, and high-income countries to show them how important these questions can be but also show them how they can answer the questions they have.”
Baker advises students and young professionals entering the field of public health that a classroom education is only the beginning of the learning process.
“Learn as much as you can from an academic perspective, but know that the best lessons come from the community you’re working to help,” she advised.
She also encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.
“Don’t be afraid to try something new; don’t be afraid to dive into the deep end without a lifejacket,” Baker said.
To learn more about the University of Kentucky College of Public Health’s people, programs, and passion for public health, visit cph.uky.edu.
