MTSU Public Health Program celebrates with faculty, alumni awards

Kahler Stone, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was presented the 2025 Academician of the Year award at the Tennessee Public Health Association Conference held at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro on Sept. 17. Pictured, from left, are Emily Rushing, Chelsei Granderson, Stone, TPHA Executive Director Kim Harrell and Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dunn.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Faculty and alumni from Middle Tennessee State University’s Public Health Program had plenty to celebrate during the week of the Tennessee Public Health Association Conference that took place recently at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.

Dr. Kahler W. Stone, assistant professor, Department of Health and Human Performance — Dr. Kahler Stone

Kahler Stone, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, was presented the 2025 Academician of the Year at the conference luncheon with plenary speaker Tennessee Health Department Commissioner John Dunn.

“Receiving the Academician of the Year award was a great honor — and having Commissioner Dunn there made it even more meaningful,” Stone said. “The Tennessee Department of Health’s strong support for public health through TPHA is vital for our state, and I’m proud to represent the MTSU Public Health Program in this work.”

MTSU’s public health team was also well-represented at the conference, which welcomed over 700 people from across the state Sept. 17-19.

Nine graduate students from the program served as presenters at the conference: Vinny Black, David Olatunji, Huda Alhamad, Joanna Foster-Leavy, Courtney Gravely, Tess Swastek, Sara Rodriguez, Jennifer Sanchez and Heather Piergies. Alumni presenters included Marquinta Harvey, Sarah Harris, Krista McClanahan and Aubrenie Jones. Faculty presenters included Bethany Wrye, Chipper Smith, Angie Bowman and Katy Stone.

PHamily Dinner

Following the conference luncheon, over 80 public health students, alumni and faculty attended the third annual PHamily Dinner Reception and awards ceremony held Sept. 17 at the Miller Education Center on the MTSU campus.

The evening event brought together the campus public health community to celebrate the career achievements of alumni, as many were already in town for the conference.

“This event is one of my favorites of the year,” said Bethany Wrye, chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance. “It’s wonderful to see alumni reconnect with each other. Most importantly, it’s wonderful to see current students network with alumni and get a more expansive yet concrete picture of what they could be doing in a few years.”

Public Health Program students from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., gather at the annual PHamily Dinner Reception held Wednesday, Sept. 17, at MTSU’s Miller Education Center. Pictured, from left, are Taiya Mitchell, Tess Swastek, Sara Rodriguez, Xaviera Gladden, Selah Almond-Harvey, Esosa Osaitile, Courtney Gravely and Naomi Ohemeng. (Submitted photo)

Early Career Award winners

Public Health Program graduates Krista McClanahan and Drew Carpenter were in the spotlight at this year’s awards dinner.

Carpenter, who earned a public health undergraduate degree in 2021, received the MTSU Public Health Undergraduate Early Career Award.

Carpenter currently serves as the member engagement manager for the Nashville Health Care Council. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in public health, Carpenter completed a Master of Business Administration at MTSU, with a healthcare administration emphasis.

In addition, he is continuing to impact the MTSU community by serving on the MTSU alumni board.

McClanahan, who earned her Master of Public Health degree in 2022, received the MTSU Public Health Graduate Early Career Award. This award recognizes graduates within the last five years who have demonstrated excellence in their career through a significant contribution to public health through professional growth, community impact, research, leadership, or innovative projects.

Middle Tennessee State University Public Health Program graduate Krista McClanahan, right, stands with Bethany Wrye, chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance, after receiving the MTSU Public Health Graduate Early Career Award at the annual PHamily Dinner Reception held at MTSU’s Miller Education Center on Wednesday, Sept. 17. (Submitted photo)

In her current role in the Tennessee Department of Health Injury Prevention Section, McClanahan supports youth mental health by evaluating providers engaged in the Tennessee Child Adolescent Psychiatry Education and Support, or TCAPES, program.

Previously, McClanahan was an epidemiologist in the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program to lead outbreak response and advanced prevention strategies to reduce transmission in healthcare settings.

The program also highlighted the department’s partnership with Murfreesboro Medical Clinic to address women’s health in the region, the launch of MTSU’s first Campus Recovery Group, and the establishment of the Student Public Health Association and Public Health Undergraduate Ambassador Program.

“With all these new initiatives, we’re also excited that enrollment for the Public Health Program at MTSU has nearly doubled from last year,” Wrye said.

To learn more about the Public Health Program, visit https://hhp.mtsu.edu/public-health/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)