Lisa Wooten, MPH, BSN, RN
Injury and Violence Prevention Program Supervisor
lisa.wooten@vdh.virginia.gov
Reasons to Contact? Program initiatives and administration
Lisa is the Injury and Violence Prevention Program Supervisor, and helps mentor and guide a talented team of Injury and Violence Prevention Program experts to conduct statewide work in reducing critical priorities from a public health approach. Lisa has over 28 years of acute and public health registered nursing and prevention experience, primarily focused in maternal child health. She has 15 years of leading public health teams in program development, grants and contract management, and strategic project coordination. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Virginia and her Master of Public Health from Liberty University. She is a native of Richmond, and enjoys spending time with her family, dog, art, travel, and all things vintage.
Lauren Yerkes, MPH
Injury and Violence Prevention Epidemiologist
lauren.yerkes@vdh.virginia.gov
Reasons to Contact? Injury and Violence data sources
Lauren Yerkes (pronouns: she/her(s), last name rhymes with 'circus') is the Injury and Violence Prevention Epidemiologist at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), providing subject matter expertise, data analysis, technical assistance, and consulting on injury, violence, and substance use data to inform state policy and program planning. She has nine years of epidemiology and public health experience in injury and violence, substance use and mental health, HIV, and COVID-19. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Virginia Tech and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and is Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Maria Altonen, MA
Reasons to Contact? Rape Prevention and Education initiatives
Maria oversees sexual violence, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect initiatives associated with the Rape Prevention and Education grant with a special emphasis on enhancing primary prevention efforts throughout the state. They provide technical assistance and training to a variety of community partners and agencies. Prior to joining VDH, Maria earned their Master's in Housing Policy and Urban Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Marcia Franchok-HIll
Camilla Herndon, MPH, CHES
Jean Hoyt, CMA
Bethany McCunn, MPH, CPST
Safety Seat Check Station Coordinator
Email: Bethany.mccunn@vdh.virginia.gov
Reason to contact? Child Passenger Safety Programming
Bethany oversees Child Passenger Safety initiatives associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles grant with a special emphasis on Safety Seat Check Stations. She provides program support and technical assistance to participating sites including collaboration with first responders, medical providers, and other groups interested in safe transportation. Prior to joining the IVP team, Bethany was the Deputy Division Epidemiologist for the Division of Immunizations. Bethany earned her Master’s Degree in Public Health at West Virginia University. On her off time, Bethany likes to spend time outside, running, bicycling, recovering from running and bicycling, and traveling.
Paul D. Ronca
Community Program Coordinator
Reasons to contact: Concussion management, drowning prevention, community outreach
Paul oversees community initiatives associated with youth concussion maangement with a special emphasis on return to learn/return to play; and coordinates the Consumer Safety Product Commission grant for education in drowning prevention. Paul provides technical assistance to overdose prevention work for engaging public safety partners. Prior to joining VDH, Paul spent 36 years in law enforcement and retired as a police chief. Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond. Paul has been married to his wife Karen for 38 years, has two children, two grandchildren, and Mack the dog.
Justin Wallace, MPH
Liz Zaunick, MSW
Overdose Data to Action Grant Coordinator
Elizabeth.Zaunick@vdh.virginia.gov
Reason to contact? Overdose Prevention Projects and Programming
Liz oversees coordination of the CDC Overdose Data to Action grant in Virginia, which collects high quality, comprehensive, and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses, and uses those data to inform prevention and response efforts. She is involved with overdose prevention programming, with particular emphasis on supporting healthcare providers and healthcare systems in overdose prevention, improving linkages to care, and strengthening harm reduction efforts. She works closely with federal, state, and local partners to advance these activities. Prior to joining VDH, Liz coordinated a number of federal grants that addressed various health equity issues. Liz earned her Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University and her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech (go Hokies!)