School of Public Health and Informational Sciences Alumni Fellow

Connie S. Mendel ’20

Connie has devoted her career to public service, beginning in 1997 as an environmental health specialist in the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response, Food Safety and Mosquito Control programs. She ascended the ranks at the Department of Public Health and Wellness and is currently focused on building a strategic and sustainable workforce, operationalizing health equity and removing barriers that prevent people from attaining their highest level of health.

Connie's accomplishments include overseeing more than $53 million in Coronavirus and American Rescue Plan funding for the city's COVID-19 response, implementing the vector-borne disease surveillance program for West Nile virus, creating the CDC's Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response, and leading the public health response to methamphetamine clandestine drug labs, Ebola decontamination, multi-chemical train derailments and post-9/11 anthrax incidents.

Connie is an executive member of the Kentucky Health Department Association and a senior director with Big Cities Health Coalition, which brings together national leaders to address public health challenges. She is also a member of The Honor Society of Delta Omega, Beta Pi Chapter at the University of Louisville SPHIS, and chairs the Louisville Hazardous Materials Ordinance Appeals and Overseers Board.

Connie is a fellow of the CDC National Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina and Master of Public Health from the University of Louisville.

Away from the job, Connie spends time with her husband and daughter, enjoying the outdoors, boating and cheering for college football, women's basketball and volleyball.