Research Champions

WPHRN Champions are network members from research settings who work to increase the engagement of researchers in the network. WPHRN Champions collaborate with network staff and the WPHRN Steering Committee to inform colleagues and students about the WPHRN and its value as a resource and a mechanism to connect public health researchers and public health professionals. WPHRN Champions:

  • Share information about the network (e.g. WPHRN website link, WPHRN’s Priority Research Questions, research briefs, and webinar offerings),
  • Disseminate information about funding opportunities,
  • Promote collaborative public health services and systems research with the network, and
  • Encourage colleagues and students to take advantage of WPHRN’s free membership and become involved in network activities such as short term work groups or projects, and
  • Consult with colleagues or students about potential research projects and use of the WPHRN to facilitate research.

Contact a WPHRN Champion for more information.

Academic researchers should consider joining WPHRN to connect with public health practitioners and other academicians across Wisconsin who are interested in research and to learn about grant opportunities and study results.

John Meurer, MD, MBA

Carly Babino

Position title: Translating Evidence to Practice in Public Health Intern (2017)

Paula Bizot, MS, BSN, RN

Position title: WPHRN Research Project Manager

Email: pbizot@wisc.edu

Phone: 608-263-5268

Address:
UW-Madison School of Nursing
4182 Signe Skott Cooper Hall
701 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705

Linda Conlon

Credentials: MPH, BSN, RN

Position title: WPHRN Steering Committee Member, Oneida County Public Health Department-Director and Health Officer

Email: lconlon@co.oneida.wi.us

Phone: 715-369-6111

Address:
Oneida County Public Health Department
100 W Keenan Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Julia Dickson-Gomez, PhD

Credentials: PhD

Position title: Professor of Epidemiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Institute of Health and Equity

Email: jdickson@mcw.edu

Katrina Harwood

Credentials: MPH, MS, RD, CD

Position title: Health Officer and Director

Email: Katrina.Harwood@co.rock.wi.us

Rebecca Hovarter

Credentials: DNP, PHN,A, RNBC, CPH

Position title: Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Health Studies, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Email: hovarter@uwgb.edu

Phone: 920-465-2976

Laura Koch

Position title: Translating Evidence to Practice in Public Health Intern (2022)

Angela Nimsgern

Credentials: MPH, CPH

Position title: WPHRN Co-chair, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Northern Region-Regional Director

Email: angela.nimsgern@wisconsin.gov

Phone: 715-365-2721

Address:
Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Northern Region
2187 N. Stevens Street, Suite #C
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Darren Rausch

Credentials: MS, BA

Position title: Greenfield Health Department-Director/Health Officer

Email: darrenr@greenfieldwi.us

Phone: 414-329-5275

Address:
Greenfield Health Department
7325 West Forest Home Avenue
Greenfield, WI 53220

Sue Smith

Credentials: MSN, RN, CPM

Position title: Wood County Health Department-Health Officer

Email: skunferman@co.wood.wi.us

Phone: 715-421-8911

Address:
Wood County Health Department
111 West Jackson Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-4167

Amy Van Aartsen

Position title: Translating Evidence to Practice in Public Health Intern (2019)

Susan Zahner

Credentials: DrPH, RN, FAAN

Position title: WPHRN Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor

Email: susan.zahner@wisc.edu

Phone: 608-263-5282

Address:
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing
5226d Signe Skott Cooper Hall
701 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705

The WPHRN is a valuable resource for collaboration between researchers and public health professionals. If we value strong evidence to improve public health practice and outcomes, we really need to work together. Engaging in the WPHRN is one way to make that happen.

Susan Zahner, DrPH, RN, FAAN

Susan Zahner

Credentials: DrPH, RN, FAAN

Position title: WPHRN Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor

Email: susan.zahner@wisc.edu

Phone: 608-263-5282

Address:
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing
5226d Signe Skott Cooper Hall
701 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705