MEET OUR STAFF
HEALTH PROMOTION
Biographical Info
Kelly Truesdell is the assistant director of health promotion and community outreach. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and received both her BS in Health Promotion and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Georgia. Kelly co-advises the Fontaine Center Student Advisory Board, coordinates campus outreach opportunities for a variety of issues related to Alcohol and Other Drugs, and is available for individual educational counseling. Kelly is part of the John Fontaine, Jr. Center for Alcohol Awareness and Education. Safe Space Ally
Biographical Info
Jessica Wiggs is the Assistant Director of Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has received her Master’s in Professional Counseling with a specialization in Military Resilience. Jessica is currently pursuing her PhD in Continuing Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Advanced Clinical Mental Health. Prior to this position, Jessica oversaw daily operations at an inpatient psychiatric facility, in addition to supervising clinical staff. In addition to therapy, Jessica has a work history that ranges from completing psychiatric assessments and drug evaluations to supporting survivors as a victim advocate within a District Attorney’s office. Her areas of interest include trauma, resilience, success and how to be the you you’ve always wanted to be. Personal growth and independence along with autonomy are huge factors Jessica takes into consideration when working with students. When not at work, Jessica enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and finding new adventures/experiences. Safe Space Ally
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Larisa Wallace is the department manager and assessment specialist for the Health Promotion Department and John Fontaine, Jr. Center for Alcohol Awareness and Education. She is a registered health information administrator and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and a Master of Public Health in Health Informatics. She also holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy. Larisa oversees the operations of the department; develops and maintains various databases and performs data analysis; participates in assessment activities; designs UHC written materials; and coordinates the scheduling of programs and various activities for the department. Safe Space Ally
Biographical Info
Aspen Brown is the Healthy Relationship/Sexual Health Education Coordinator for Health Promotion. She holds a BA in theatre from Georgia College & State University and a master’s in public health from Baylor University. Prior to joining UGA, Aspen could be found in all corners of Gwinnett County facilitating interactive early learning, health & wellness, and literacy programming. She is passionate about helping people make positive life choices for healthy life outcomes. When she’s not hopping around campus, Aspen can be found enjoying live theatre, going for walks, and roller skating.
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Graduated from UGA in 2022 from the College of Public Health. In this role, she will be providing alcohol and other drug education/outreach on campus and organize substance free alternative events on campus. In addition, she will help advise the Fontaine Peer Educators. When she’s not studying and learning about alcohol and other drug trends, she’s cooking or exploring fun coffee spots around Athens.
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Anthony Chiu is the Nutrition Education Coordinator the University Health Center. He graduated from UGA in 2016, and completed his dietetic internship through Yale New Haven Hospital. He worked as a clinical dietitian with Piedmont Healthcare, and as corporate nutritionist for a major fast food company before coming back to UGA. In this role, Anthony provides nutrition education/ outreach events to students, as well leads cooking classes in the Nutrition Kitchen. When he is not studying to earn his master’s degree, Anthony can be found cooking new recipes, getting over his fear of heights by bouldering, or running around Athens to train for his first marathon (but more likely he’s at home playing video games).
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Rachelle Ellis is a passionate advocate and human services professional who greatly values the role they play in helping students build the necessary skills to successfully navigate life challenges and build resilience. Rachelle’s guiding belief as a case manager and advocate is that all people have a right to information, autonomy, and support, so that they can be empowered to make informed decisions. Before joining the Health Promotion team, Rachelle worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor in the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. When not at work, Rachelle values time with family and friends, vegetable and herb gardening, hiking, watercolor painting, drawing, creating collages, and taking trips to the mountains.
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Callie Heintzman is the full-time advocate for Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention. She has a master’s in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Child Life, which she obtained here at the University of Georgia, fulfilling her status as a double dawg. She is a Certified Child Life Specialist and worked in a pediatric emergency department in New York City for four years, providing advocacy, education, and support to patients and their families in crisis. She spent the last year working for a nonprofit organization that helps strengthen and support families in the Athens area community. She is thrilled to return to the UGA campus and is looking forward to the opportunity to work with students through the RSVP program. Callie is passionate about fostering resilience and posttraumatic growth, as well as helping individuals recognize their own strengths. In her free time, Callie enjoys knitting and crocheting, as well as spending time with her two dogs – Fred and Ethel.
Biographical Info
Bethany Hight is the Interpersonal Violence Prevention & Well-Being Coordinator for Health Promotion. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exercise Science from Kennesaw State University & and master’s in Public Health from Georgia State University. Prior to this position, Bethany worked on the Health Science Campus of UGA in the Clinical and Translational Science Unit doing recruitment for studies. In 2021, she worked at the Gwinnett County Health Department as a health educator for STI and HIV. She plans on pursing her Doctorate within the next couple of years in Family and Consumer Science. When she is not working, Bethany enjoys going to the gym, finding new ways to be creative, and unwinds with some reality tv!
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Alexi “AJ” Johnson is the Early Intervention Coordinator for Relationship and Sexual Violence Center. They are a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor under the supervision of Jessica Wiggs, Assistant Director of Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention. He has received his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to this position, they worked in private practice with a specialty in working with LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups. In this role, they will be providing alcohol and other drug education and counseling and relationship and sexual violence counseling for students. When not at work, AJ enjoys engaging in outdoor activities, crafting, gaming, and spending time with their spouse, dog, and friends.
AJ has attended over 75 hrs of specialized continued education around supporting LGBTQ+ and other marginalized people with a variety of cultural experiences and continues to take efforts in staying informed around JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) for all people. AJ works to ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.
Biographical Info
Whitni McConnell first joined the University Health Center at UGA in 2016 as the Nutrition Education Coordinator. She is a former student- athlete and “Double Dawg,” having first graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and later a master’s degree in kinesiology. Prior to her arrival at UGA, she worked at Piedmont Athens Regional in Athens. She later resigned from UHC to support her spouse’s military career and went on to work in a neuro-medical long-term care facility. In February 2022, she joined the University Health Center again to provide virtual nutrition therapy to UGA students. Her areas of interest include sports nutrition, eating disorders and cardiovascular health. In her spare time, Whitni enjoys running, cycling, reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Biographical Info
Angie Ruhlen first joined the University Health Center at UGA in 2009 as the Nutrition Counseling Coordinator. Prior to her arrival at UGA, she worked at Northside Gwinnett Hospital in Lawrenceville and St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. In 2014, she resigned to stay home with her children and later opened up her private practice. In March 2022, she joined the University Health Center again to provide virtual nutrition therapy to UGA students. Her areas of interest include eating disorders and gastrointestinal health. In her spare time, Angie enjoys reading, walking outside, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Safe Space Ally
Completed Dawg Ally and/or Global Ally programs. This additional training helps ensure health equity for all patients and clients by promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in healthcare.