Biography

Melissa Alperin, EdD, MPH, MCHES, more commonly known by her nickname, Moose, is Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH), Emory University. Moose has a long history of leadership in workforce development and public health (PH) practice. Currently, she is PI/Director of the Region IV Public Health Training Center and the Kentucky Public Health Emerging Leadership Institute. At RSPH, Moose is also Director of the Executive MPH program, designed for working professionals, and Director of Online Education.  

With a career focus on workforce development and public health practice, Moose teaches current and future PH workers through continuing professional education and graduate courses. She has an extensive record of practice-based service and serves on the editorial board of Pedagogy in Health Promotion. Nationally, Moose served as the ASPPH representative to the Council on Linkages Between Academia and PH Practice (COL) and later served as COL representative for the National Network of PH Institutes. She has served on the CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Advisory Committee and CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies Update Panel.  

Moose has an extensive record of service to APHA. Currently, she serves on the APHA Executive Board (EB) and is the Board Chair. During her tenure on the EB, Moose served on the following committees: Strategic Planning, Personnel, Governance, and Executive. Last year she was the Board Vice Chair.  

Moose’s PHEHP service includes the roles of membership chair, Section Councilor, Governing Councilor, delegate to the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations, member of the Innovation Lab, and member of the 100th Anniversary Workgroup.  

Moose’s APHA service extends to her Affiliate (Georgia) and the APHA Council of Affiliates (CoA). She served on the GPHA Executive Committee/Board and as its ARGC. Additionally, Moose was the Region IV Representative to the APHA CoA and served as the CoA Chair.  

Moose has received the following awards – Early Career Award (PHEHP, 1999); Judith Miller Award (PHEHP, 2013); Kathy Miner Health Education/Health Promotion Award (GPHA, 2014); APHA CoA Chair Citation (2019, 2021); ASPPH Practice Excellence Award (2021); and Faculty Practice Award (RSPH, 2023).   

Moose has an EdD from the University of Georgia, MPH from Emory, and AB degree from Brown University, and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.

Candidate Statement

I first presented at APHA in 1991 as the young professional on a panel entitled “The Future of Health Education.” I was full of jitters presenting alongside luminaries in the field, yet I remember the way they – and others – embraced me. I quickly found a professional home within APHA where I have a strong tradition of service with the PHEHP Section; Council of Affiliates, having served as Chair; and Executive Board, where I currently serve as Chair.  

I love APHA. The diversity of people, disciplines and perspectives represent multiple facets of public health, and it is inspiring to see our collective work in support of public health.  

Over my 35 years at Emory University, I have devoted my career to advancing and integrating public health practice into my work. I have an established record of securing funding for training, leadership, workforce development, and public health practice initiatives and currently serve as PI for over $9M in funded projects. I work with – and on behalf of – multiple communities, including the public health workforce in Georgia and throughout the U.S.; and our students. 

Both my work at Emory and with APHA allow me to focus on the workforce, current and future. Never has it been more important to be loud and vocal about the importance of public health and our workers. Every day, the news brings stories of efforts to eliminate our workforce, agencies, programs and core values.   

I’m extraordinarily proud of the work APHA is doing during this unprecedented time. My broad service to APHA and my understanding of the challenges faced by public health equip me well to continue serving the Association during this upheaval.   

I am honored to run for APHA President-Elect and to support APHA initiatives while elevating and championing the work of our public health workforce.  

View Melissa (Moose)Alperin's CV (PDF)