About us

We're Here Because Communities Deserve Better

Meet the team behind the Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics (IHLA) at Georgia Southern University.

Our mission

We connect the dots so communities don't have to.

Health isn't just a doctor's visit. It's the air you breathe, the opioids in your town, the livestock your neighbor depends on, and the food in the school cafeteria. At IHLA, we look at all of it together.
Our job is to turn that big-picture thinking into practical tool—training, data, and resources that help people in real communities make real change. We're based in Georgia, but the work we do is for everyone, everywhere.

Everything is Connected

The One Health approach recognizes that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment are interconnected. When something affects one part of the system, it can affect everything else. For example, if a water source becomes contaminated, it can harm wildlife, livestock, and the people who rely on that water.


Many health challenges—like infectious diseases, environmental changes, and gaps in community health—cannot be solved by one field alone. They require people from different professions to work together.


Our courses help you understand these connections and show you how to work across sectors to address real-world health problems.

What We Actually Do

IHLA works across three areas where data, community, and health intersect. 

Analytics & Informatics

We use technology and data to help communities make decisions about health.

Planning & Evaluation

We build relationships with partners, listen to their needs, and help design effective programs that work in the real world.

Logistics & Training

We connect people to resources–things like naloxone kits, educational materials, and hands-on training–so they can respond effectively to health challenges.

Team IHLA

The People Behind the Work

Jessica Schwind

Director

Jill Johns

Project Manager

Kathryn Stewart

Business & Operations Manager

Michelle Tremblay

Learning Experience Designer

 Deborah Harvey

Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

Megan Mercer

Community Relations & Event Coordinator

Tanya Jules

Community Outreach Coordinator

Jennifer Drey

Community Outreach Coordinator

Patricia LaRose-Walthour

Community Outreach Coordinator

Tahir Dulaney

Multimedia Coordinator

Joana Tome

Research Assistant

Kirsten Barrett

Community Outreach Coordinator

Want to Bring This Training to Your Community?

Whether you're an individual looking to learn or an organization looking to partner, we want to hear from you.
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