Episode #410 Healing Beyond the Clinic, with Allison Rapp, MPH, MCHES
- Laura Hollabaugh
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- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Huntley speaks with Allison Rapp, the president of the Florida Public Health Association. They discuss Allison's journey into public health, her personal experiences that shaped her career, and her passion for mental health and neurodiversity. The conversation also highlights the diverse challenges faced in Florida's public health landscape and the importance of collaboration across different sectors to address these issues effectively.
Meet Allison Rapp
Allison Rapp, MPH, MCHES, is the president of the Florida Public Health Association (FPHA). She joined the association in 2014 and the FPHA board as a member-at-large between 2018 and 2021. Allison was treasurer for the 2021-2022 year and was elected as second vice president for the 2022-2023 year. The second vice president subsequently serves on the board as the first vice president, president, and immediate past president for a four-year term.
As Vice President, Allison chaired the annual education conference planning committee and led the design of the agenda titled “Public Health Unbound: Here, There, and Everywhere.” She presented her vision for public health as "unbound," highlighting that public health is integrated into all issues, sectors, and areas of our lives in various ways. As a regenerative leader, Allison has sought to foster unity in our shared desire to thrive and to collaborate across sectors to promote sustainable and impactful progress in well-being.
Allison grew up in the suburbs of Boston as a pre-professional ballet dancer and moved to South Carolina to dance professionally upon graduating from high school. She began her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina (USC) and completed it at the University of Central Florida as a Sports and Fitness major. Returning to South Carolina, she completed her Master’s in Public Health and Physical Activity at USC's Arnold School of Public Health. She became a Certified Health Education Specialist in 2012 and a Master Certified Health Education Specialist in 2024.
Her career began at the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, followed by a final transition back to Florida for a position as Healthy Community Site Director for Special Olympics Florida. Subsequently, she joined the Health Council of West Central Florida as Special Projects Manager, where she led community assessments and planning. Most recently, Allison served as the National Program Office Coordinator for the PHEARLESS public health and community regenerative leadership initiative at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Center for Leadership in Public Health Practice.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Allison Rapp is the president of the Florida Public Health Association.
Her journey into public health was influenced by her experience with scoliosis.
She emphasizes the importance of prevention in public health.
Allison's passion lies in mental health access and neurodiversity.
Public health encompasses a wide range of issues beyond just vaccines and seat belts.
Collaboration across sectors is crucial for effective public health initiatives.
The Florida Public Health Association aims to bring diverse voices together.
Allison believes in thinking outside the box for public health solutions.
She advocates for a strategic approach to public health challenges.
Public health is about ensuring health, happiness, love, and prosperity for all.
"Public health isn't just about policies — it's about people, and if we're not centering people, then we're missing the point." - Allison Rapp
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DrCHHuntley LLC is a public health consulting firm that specializes in epidemiology consulting, supporting large nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also provide nationwide public health consulting and epidemiology consulting support to BIPOC organizations across the United States.
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