Advocacy Summit Debrief: Reflecting on Hill Day Outcomes and Experiences

Brittney Chang is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida, majoring in psychology with a concentration in cognitive behavioral neuroscience and minoring in societal health disparities. Passionate about addressing inequities in public health, her research focuses on the intersection of health disparities and neuroscience, particularly within the Asian American population. Brittney is involved in two key research projects: with Dr. Carolyn Tucker on the Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative and with Dr. Brian Hoh’s cerebrovascular lab, where she investigates aneurysm healing processes. Her work aims to inform public health policy through data-driven research and community-based advocacy.

Keely Rees, PhD, MCHES, has joined the College of Public Health (CPH) at the University of Kentucky as the new Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Advancement. With a strong passion for professional development and mentorship, she is dedicated to creating an environment where faculty and staff feel supported. In this role, Dr. Rees will focus on strengthening professional growth opportunities through mentorship, leadership training, and strategic initiatives that enhance career advancement. By working closely with the Dean’s team, she aims to align policies and resources that foster a collaborative workplace while ensuring faculty and staff have the tools needed to excel.

Before joining CPH, Dr. Rees spent over two decades at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where she led programs in public health education and healthcare administration. She also taught at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the University of New Mexico. She earned her Ph.D. in Community Health Education from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Health Behavior from South Dakota State University, and a B.A. in Health Education from the University of Minnesota Morris.

Heidi Hancher-Rauch, PhD, MCHES®, is a professor of health sciences at Butler University with over 20 years of experience in academia and nearly 25 years in the public health field. Her professional background includes work in community disease prevention and worksite health, with expertise in health policy and advocacy, program evaluation, and evidence-based health promotion. A dedicated health advocate, the majority of her publications and presentations focus on this area. Dr. Hancher-Rauch currently serves as President of the SOPHE Board of Trustees. She has held multiple leadership roles, including Board Trustee for Advocacy & Resolutions, a long-time member of the Advocacy Committee, and delegate to the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations. She has also previously directed advocacy efforts for Indiana SOPHE and serves on the steering committee for the Top 10 Coalition in Indianapolis.