Honoring the leadership, passion, and impact of the women helping to strengthen public health across Region IV.
National Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the women whose vision, leadership, and dedication help shape healthier, stronger communities every day. This year’s theme invites us to think about sustainability in a broader way—not only as caring for the planet, but also as building systems that support long-term health, opportunity, resilience, and wellbeing. In public health, women have long been leading this work by strengthening communities, expanding access, mentoring future leaders, and helping create a healthier future for all.
At the Region IV Public Health Training Center (RIV PHTC), we are proud to recognize and celebrate the women whose work advances public health across our region. Their expertise, compassion, and commitment are reflected in the partnerships they build, the programs they support, and the lasting impact they make in communities every day.
This month, we are honored to spotlight some of the incredible women of the Region IV PHTC and celebrate the many ways they are helping build a more resilient and healthier tomorrow.
Moose Alperin, EdD, MPH, MCHES, Principal Investigator and Project Director
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
I enjoy working with smart and talented people who, in turn, do really impactful work that helps our public health workforce address both every day and emerging challenges.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
Related to the Region IV PHTC, I love it when one of our field placement students talks about how their placement has made them want to work in local public health or with a certain population, or when one of our leadership institute alums describes the impact that the leadership institute has had on their growth and career.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
I think it is the fact that the work is challenging that keeps me motivated. More than ever, we need folks who are dedicated to public health – our workforce, programs, systems, and infrastructure; and so much more. Additionally, we need the energy of our future public health workforce …our students. My work with the Region IV PHTC allows me to work on behalf of public health in the southeastern U.S. as well as nationally.
Parnia Roghani-Shareef, MPH, CPH, Associate Director
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
Supporting and empowering the public health workforce by providing the resources they need to succeed. Knowing that our work helps strengthen their ability to serve their communities is very rewarding.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
Being a part of sharing the Learning Agenda for Systems has been rewarding. Knowing that we are sharing new and innovative ways to approach complex systems in public health with the public health workforce, and seeing how these ideas support their problem-solving and decision-making, has made me proud of the impact of our work.
Outside of Region IV, I recently worked with a local substance prevention coalition, a Department of Health, and a local hospital system to install harm reduction vending machines throughout a Florida County. These vending machines include Narcan, Fentanyl Test Trips, hygiene kits, HIV test kits, and medication deactivation bags and are placed in various locations throughout the county to increase access to lifesaving interventions.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
Our shared passion for making a difference in our communities and beyond. It is rewarding to see how our hard work contributes to meaningful change and supports healthier, stronger communities. The dedication of the public health workforce motivates me to keep moving forward! It is rewarding to see how our hard work and dedication lead to meaningful, lasting change.
Deanna Zhong, MPH, MCHES, Data Manager and Training Coordinator
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
The most meaningful part of my work at Region IV has always been and will always be the people. From the folks that we collaborate with across our public health workforce development networks to our training participants, everyone makes our work meaningful. The public health workforce is constantly evolving and innovating to keep up with the ever-changing public health environment, but it does not always have the tools or resources to do so. It is always inspirational when we are able to fill that gap in a meaningful way for our folks.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
For me, there aren’t singular moments. It’s usually after collaborations or trainings that I feel the proudest of our impact here at Region IV. Throughout my 8 years with Region IV, from graduate assistant to full-time training specialist, the proud moments always come in the form of direct contact and communications with collaborators and training participants, especially when they share about the direct impact that our trainings have had on their personal development, their department, or their project. From field placements to self-paced modules, hearing from folks about how our work is actually useful and valuable to them and their job function will always keep me proud and motivated.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
I am constantly inspired by public health and the public health workforce in their resilience. Public health was born out of challenges, as disease and illness have always been challenges. Really digging into the history of public health, learning from folks who have been in the field for decades, and listening to the frontline experiences of our public health workforce keeps me motivated.
Elizabeth (Liz) Kidwell, MPH, CHES, Training Specialist and Field Placement Manager
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
I would say that the most meaningful part of my work is supporting emerging public health leaders through our Pathways to Practice Scholars program, the Public Health and Primary Care Leadership Institute, and the Kentucky Emerging Public Health Leadership Institute. By supporting these programs, I get to help create opportunities for growth, reflection, and connection across the region with students as well as with leaders in the field. Being part of building and strengthening the public health workforce feels impactful and deeply rewarding.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
I always feel especially proud when students share success stories from their field placement experiences through the Pathways to Practice Scholars program. Hearing how their experiences helped clarify their career goals or build their confidence makes the work that I do feel incredibly meaningful. I’ve also continued to feel proud watching our podcast grow and create space for honest conversations about leadership in public health.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
What keeps me motivated is knowing that the work we do really does make a difference, even if it’s not always visible right away. When I see students gain confidence, find their direction, or step into leadership roles, it reminds me why this work matters. Public health can be complex and sometimes challenging, but being part of developing and supporting strong leaders across the region makes it worth it.
Sophia Lamb, MPH, CHES, Training Specialist
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
The most meaningful part of my work would be knowing that people are enjoying and learning from the workshops and webinars I help host. I truly appreciate when people provide feedback either during the session or on the post-session evaluation. It lets me and the subject matter experts I work with know that we are having an impact on people’s lives.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
After webinars and workshops have concluded, I feel honored when people mention my name positively in the post-session evaluation and when they respond to my follow-up emails, noting how much they gained from the training.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
I stay motivated in public health by looking for different ways to grow. Whether it be planning a webinar on an exciting topic, asking to support a new project, or connecting with like-minded people, I aim to keep my work dynamic. I am also fortunate to have an amazing team that supports me and provides space for me to share my concerns.
Tara Poole, Communications Specialist
What part of your work at Region IV feels most meaningful to you—and why?
The most meaningful part of my work is helping connect people to information, resources, and opportunities that can make a real difference in public health practice. As a Communications Specialist, I may not always be the person delivering the training or leading the program, but I get to help make sure those efforts reach the people who need them. It’s rewarding to know that thoughtful communication can support stronger awareness, engagement, and impact across the region.
Can you share a moment (big or small) when you felt proud of the impact you helped create?
One of the moments that makes me feel proud is seeing a project come to life and knowing the communications support helped it reach the right audience. Whether it’s promoting a training, sharing a success story, or creating materials that make information more accessible and engaging, I’m proud when communication helps bridge the gap between good work and the people it’s meant to serve. Sometimes the impact feels small in the moment, but it adds up in meaningful ways.
What keeps you motivated to work in public health, even when the work is challenging?
What keeps me motivated is the purpose behind the work. Public health communication is about more than sharing information—it’s about helping people feel informed, connected, and empowered. Even when the work is fast-paced or challenging, I stay motivated by the bigger purpose behind it—helping share information that can strengthen communities and support better health outcomes.