Episode #446 South Carolina Is Public Health, With Keisha Long and Jessica Seel
- Mar 3
- 6 min read
On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
What if the people already doing public health just don't know it yet? That's the rallying cry behind the South Carolina Public Health Association, and it's exactly why this episode feels so timely.
A Hometown Conversation With Real-World Stakes
In this episode, Dr. Huntley welcomes two South Carolina public health leaders who are reshaping what it means to serve the field. Keisha Long, President-Elect of the South Carolina Public Health Association and a 27-year environmental health veteran, and Jessica Seel, the newly appointed Executive Director of the same organization, join the conversation to discuss their very different journeys into public health and their shared vision for its future.
From hazardous waste cleanup sites to behavioral health coalitions, Keisha and Jessica represent exactly the kind of cross-sector collaboration that public health needs more of. Their conversation with Dr. Huntley makes one thing clear: the field is broader than most people think, and that's a strength worth celebrating.
Public Health in Plain Language
One of the most compelling threads in this episode is the push to define public health in terms anyone can understand. Jessica puts it simply: if you are living and breathing, you are touched by public health. And Keisha offers her own memorable test: if you brushed your teeth or flushed the toilet today, you have already been impacted by public health and environmental health.
This isn't just a communication exercise. It is a strategic imperative. As public health faces politicization and public skepticism, plain language becomes a tool for trust-building, community engagement, and field-wide growth. Dr. Huntley and her guests explore how training the next generation of public health leaders to speak plainly and confidently is one of the most powerful investments the field can make.
A Century-Old Association With a Future-Focused Vision
Founded in 1921, the South Carolina Public Health Association carries a deep legacy. But Keisha and Jessica are clear: the association's most exciting chapter is still ahead. Their vision includes expanding membership beyond traditional government and academic circles, building a vibrant Young Professionals Network, and using the association as a platform to bring diverse sectors of public health into the same room.
The 2026 SCPHA Annual Conference in Columbia is a direct expression of that vision. With keynote addresses by former South Carolina Superintendent of Education Dr. Jim Rex and current APHA President Dr. Nandi Marshall, a moderated panel featuring Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee Nation and representatives of the Catawba Nation, student poster sessions, a Young Professionals interactive workshop, wellness experiences including tai chi, yoga, and pet therapy, and a President's Ball, this conference is designed to be as welcoming as it is substantive.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Public health is navigating a complicated moment: budget cuts, workforce challenges, and a shifting political landscape are testing the resilience of the entire field. But both guests bring something essential to this conversation: optimism grounded in action. Keisha reminds listeners that when one path is blocked, side roads open up. Jessica sees the current moment not as a crisis but as an invitation to do something great and be remembered for it.
If you are working in public health at any level, or if you have ever wondered where you fit in the field, this episode will remind you that your background is an asset and that there is a place for your voice at the table.
About Our Guests
Keisha Long
For more than 25 years, Keisha Long has been a force in environmental health, helping communities across South Carolina understand, protect, and advocate for the places they call home. After retiring as a Program Manager in the Office of Environmental Affairs at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, she didn’t slow down—she shifted gears. Today, Keisha continues to be a champion for vulnerable communities, helping them build capacity, access resources, and form powerful partnerships that move real change forward.
She currently serves as the President Elect of the South Carolina Public Health Association and leads the SCPHA Smart Surfaces Initiative, a project focused on climate resilient solutions for healthier neighborhoods. Her career spans deep technical work in the Superfund and RCRA programs, where Keisha guided environmental cleanups, site engineering, and complex project management—bringing both scientific expertise and a commitment to justice to every challenge.
And when Keisha’s not working to make communities healthier and more resilient, you’ll find her on the tennis court, behind a Toastmasters podium, or immersed in her love of music.
Jessica Seel
Jessica Seel is Executive Director of the South Carolina Public Health Association and Co-President of Side-by-Side Strategies, bringing a rich interdisciplinary background with a master’s degree in health promotion, education, and behavior from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. She leads strategic efforts to improve public health, mental health, and substance use outcomes through cross-sector collaboration, data-informed planning, and sustainable community engagement, and is recognized for her ability to convene partners, build trust, and mobilize communities.
Jessica has supported the development of multiple behavioral health coalitions across South Carolina, advancing regional, multi-sector initiatives that strengthen systems and address local needs. She currently serves as President of the National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNET), on the boards of Westview Behavioral Health, CARPS SC, and the South Carolina Suicide Prevention Coalition, and on advisory boards including the South Carolina Center of Excellence in Addiction and South Carolina 988. She is also co-director of the MUSC Community Opioid Response Initiative (CORI) ECHO program and was recently honored with the Dr. Rick Foster Leadership Award.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Public health is everywhere, even when people don't recognize it. If you brushed your teeth or flushed a toilet today, you have been touched by public health. Expanding who sees themselves as part of the field starts with making the definition accessible to everyone.
Diverse career paths are assets, not detours. Keisha's background in civil engineering and Jessica's roots in social work and behavioral health bring strengths to public health that straight-line pathways often miss. The field is stronger when it draws from everywhere.
Plain language is a public health intervention. When public health professionals can explain their work in terms a child could understand, they build trust, expand access, and grow the field. Giving practitioners permission to let go of jargon is essential.
Cross-sector collaboration is the future. From mental health agencies to first responders to environmental engineers, public health's greatest opportunities lie in helping sectors that don't traditionally identify with the field recognize their role in it.
The South Carolina Public Health Association is building for the next hundred years. With a Young Professionals Network, a broadened conference strategy, and new leadership committed to inclusion, SCPHA is positioning itself as a home for every corner of the field.
Self-care belongs on the public health agenda. The 2026 SCPHA Conference intentionally incorporates wellness activities alongside professional programming, modeling for attendees that caring for themselves is part of caring for communities.
Challenging times are an invitation to lead. Both guests reframe the current public health climate as an opportunity rather than a setback, encouraging listeners to stay engaged, join the association, and leave their mark on the field.
"Even though things have been eliminated or killed or stopped, the work hasn't stopped. And in fact, it has opened up opportunities to partner with other groups." - Keisha Long
"I think we have an opportunity to reframe what public health is and elevate it so that it's respected again." - Jessica Seel
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Public Health Consulting To Support You
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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