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President
Victoria Broussard, MEd, CHES, CPSTI
Victoria Broussard is a Senior Project Officer for a non-profit and a national project centered on dismantling structural racism and advancing health equity. She leads development, management, and coordination for various aspects of the project and is responsible for partner engagement, technical assistance, and capacity building workstreams.
For over 15 years, Victoria has held management positions at the local and state level, including academia, a multi-campus pediatric healthcare system, health departments, and in grants management. She has experience in providing education, training, and developing programs to prevent injury, fragile infant and child transport, teen pregnancy prevention, and smoking cessation, in addition to planning in-person, virtual and hybrid events for large groups. Victoria is also an advocate of innovation in programming and community engagement.
Victoria is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and special needs trained Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor. She is also a member of the Safe States Alliance, Southeast and Southwest Injury Prevention Network, Georgia Child Passenger Safety Advisory Board, the Society for Public Health Education and the American Public Health Association. Victoria has an MEd in Health Promotion and Human Performance and is pursuing her Doctor of Public Health.
Immediate Past President
Gemma Skuraton DrPH, MPH, CHES, CDE, LAT, ATC, USAW, CPT, FMS, RYT-200
Dr. Gemma Skuraton (pronouns: she/her) serves as the Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion for Georgia Southern University and is the co-owner of Twice Consulting Services LLC. Gemma completed a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Fellowship, Doctorate and a Masters degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Community Health Behavior and Education as well as an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, majoring in Exercise Science and Athletic Training from Georgia Southern University. Gemma is a community based participatory researcher primarily centered around designing, implementing and evaluating health & wellness co-curricula.
Gemma’s work has put her on several recognition lists including the 20 under 40 Young Professionals Award for Statesboro Georgia, 40 under 40 Georgia Southern University Alumni Award, Kathryn Grube Unsung Hero award for assisting students above and beyond the call of duty and the Randolph S. Gunter Distinguished Staff Award. This recognition in excellence is given to staff that are admired and respected by the students for their outstanding dedication to advocating for diversity issues both in and out of the classroom. Programs under Gemma’s leadership were awarded the 2023 National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Gold Award for the Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, Wellness, and related category as well as the 2023 overall Grand Silver Award. Other intervention recognition includes, Best Clinical Mental Health Program in Southeast Georgia in 2019, two-time Best Diversity and Inclusion Program of the Year and two-time Best Social Justice Program of the Year at Georgia Southern University.
Gemma serves as the Past President of Georgia Society for Public Health Education (GASOPHE) and currently serves a board member for Mary’s Place: Prevention, Advocacy & Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire.
President-Elect
D’Jillisser Kelly, MPH,CP
D’Jillisser Kelly is a dedicated Public Health Professional and Certified Preventionist with over a decade of experience in grassroots community development, specializing in addressing health disparities related to tobacco.
She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health promotion from Liberty University, augmenting her expertise in the field. Demonstrating a commitment to integrating wellness into her work, D’Jillisser has assumed leadership roles in various public health initiatives.
In her previous role as a Tobacco & Asthma Health Educator at Cobb & Douglas Public Health Department, she dedicated herself to the Breathe Easy public health initiative of Cobb2020. Her efforts focused on educating the community and raising awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Fueling her passion for public health, D’Jillisser leads the No Menthol Movement ATL workgroup, spearheaded by H.E.A.R.T. Coalition (Health Education Awareness & Research on Tobacco). This initiative aims to end the sale of mentholated and flavored tobacco products in metro Atlanta through environmental policy solutions and community education.
In 2022, D’Jillisser was recognized as one of the 20 Power Women in Georgia at the Georgia State Capitol. Her dedication, passion, and leadership in the public health field make her an asset to any organization, serving as a true inspiration to those who work alongside her.
National Delegate
Alex E. Crosby, MD, MPH
Dr. Alex Crosby is Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine and worked at the CDC for 30 years. While there, he responded to numerous public health emergencies and led investigative teams that include addressing adolescent suicide clusters, civil unrest, school-associated violence, sniper attacks, firearm-related injuries due to celebratory shooting, and the public health response to hurricanes, Ebola and Coronavirus.
He has authored or co-authored over 125 publications and his work as a medical epidemiologist focuses on prevention of suicidal behavior, child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, interpersonal violence among adolescents, and assault injuries among minorities.
Dr. Alex Crosby completed medical training in Family Medicine at Howard University Hospital; General Preventive Medicine and Public Health at Morehouse School of Medicine and the Georgia Division of Public Health and epidemiology training at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Epidemic Intelligence Service.
He graduated with a BA in chemistry from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., an MD from Howard University’s College of Medicine in Wash., D.C., and an MPH in health administration and management from Emory University’s School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia.
Education & Training Co-Chair
Jacquelyn Mesenbrink DrPH, MPH, CHES
Jacquelyn Mesenbrink completed her DrPH and MPH at Georgia Southern University and received a B.S. in Biology from Iowa State University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences in the Health and Kinesiology Department at Georgia Southern University. Jacquelyn has presented at various conferences throughout the country including the American Public Health Association, Georgia Public Health Association, and Georgia State University Conference. She has held a multitude of leadership positions including Employee Resource Group, Sexual Assault Response Team, GASOPHE Education and Training, Dean’s Advisory Committee, Graduate Student Organization, Georgia Public Health Association Career Development Board, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition, and Georgia Southern University Strategic Planning Board for Teaching and Research. Jacquelyn has been awarded the Graduate Student Leadership and Service Award, APHA Sexual Violence Photovoice Award, Iowa State University Employee of the Year, and Best Graduate Poster Presentation at APHA Conference. In her previous work as a Visiting Instructor for the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, she taught a wide range of courses including health policy, health education, and community health. She also invests in serving her campus and local community as the Sexual Assault Response Team Co-Lead and advises the Sexual Assault Student Educators. As a public health leader, Jacquelyn strives to advocate for health equity, create a wellness culture, and actively engage others in changing behaviors through best-practice prevention initiatives.
Advocacy Chair
Keri M. Hill, Ph.D., MPH, CHES
Keri Hill serves as Vice President of Programs & Training for the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential (GCAPP). Dr. McDonald Hill has a deep commitment to improving adolescent health and reducing health disparities as demonstrated by more than 20 years of experience researching, developing, implementing and evaluating adolescent health initiatives. Dr. Hill also serves as Adjunct Professor at Agnes Scott College in the Department of Public Health.
Prior to her work at GCAPP, Dr. Hill was Vice President/Director of Programs at the Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW). She was also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Hill also worked as Health and Healthcare Science Technology teacher for Atlanta’s Midtown High School. Dr. Hill has been a member of the Georgia Society for Public Health Education (GASOPHE) board for three years and currently serves as the Advocacy Chair.
Partnership Co-Chair
Fredrick Clark, Student Health and Wellness, Morehouse School of Medicine
Fredrick Clark is a proud native of downtown Atlanta, GA. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), where he majored in Political Science/Public Policy and minored in Education with a focus in Public Health. Fredrick is currently an Executive Master of Public Health student focusing on community health for underserved young people.
He is an educator, active community/non-profit member, and public service advocate with more than 12 years of experience (in and out of the secondary education classroom and not-for-profit sector) concerning infectious disease epidemics, formal healthcare practices, and clinical knowledge. As the Founder and CEO of Youth Embracing Sobriety, Inc., he aims to eliminate educational, social, and health-related issues around the world, one student, one young person, and one disparity at a time!
Communications & Outreach Co-Chair
Aarin Palomares, MPH
Aarin Palomares serves as a Program Manager and Deputy Director of the Global Handwashing Partnership at FHI 360, an international nongovernmental organization that implements programs in over 60 countries. In her current role, she leads overall strategy development and manages various programs for her team. Aarin also chairs the CORE WASH and Health Interest Group and Hand Hygiene for All Advocacy Forum. She currently serves as a technical expert for WHO/UNICEF’s new normative guidelines for hand hygiene, which will be launched in 2024.
Aarin has a background in health policy, community development, and implementation research. Prior to joining FHI 360, she worked on research and advocacy initiatives with the Sparkman Center for Global Health and the United Nations Foundation. She holds an MPH in Health Care Organization and Policy and BS in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Communications & Outreach Co-Chair
Stephanie Robinson, MPH, CHES, CPSTI
Stephanie Robinson, MPH, CHES, CPSTI is an experienced Health Educator at the Houston County Health Department in Warner Robins, GA. With over five years of experience, she takes pride in providing the best health education possible in child passenger safety, CPR, diabetes prevention and other health topics. As a Public Health professional her goals are to become a Public Health leader and join the outstanding professionals in academia. Stephanie is a certified CPR instructor, health education specialist as well as a child passenger safety technician instructor. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from Walden University.
Secretary
Shonali Makadiya
Shonali holds a Master of Public Health from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Georgia. Currently, she serves as a Management Analyst for the City of Atlanta’s Department of Grants and Community Development, where she is dedicated to improving the lives of HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS) populations. She works to ensure access to essential housing resources and supportive services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, recognizing the critical link between stable housing and health outcomes. Shonali actively collaborates with community organizations and stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and advocate for the needs of these vulnerable populations.
Her passion for public health was ignited during the pandemic but has deep roots, influenced by years spent observing her mother’s work in the medical field. Those experiences have fueled her commitment to addressing health disparities and advocating for marginalized communities. With her educational background and practical experience, Shonali aims to make a meaningful impact in the public health sector, focusing on sustainable solutions that promote well-being for all.