Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Office of Policy & Practice Alignment
Collaboration and partnerships are critical to improving population health and achieving the Wisconsin Department of Health Services vision of 'everyone living their best life.' Developing relationships, listening to others, and providing support to meet the needs of partners and communities are key to my role within the Division of Public Health and are the driving forces behind my work with local and tribal health departments.
BOLD SOLUTION: After identifying a need for alternatives in a rural county in Wisconsin, Christa initiated the development and launch of a county coalition to improve physical activity and nutrition.
Five Questions for Christa
1. Who or what inspired you to enter the field of public health?
A strong passion and desire to help others inspired me to pursue a career in the health field. However, taking an introductory course to health education with professor Matt Vogel at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse truly inspired my career in public health. Matt’s emphasis on the community coming together and collaborating to create better health for all was a concept I felt I could truly embrace and be helping others at the same time.
2. What are the greatest challenges you face in your public health work or area of focus?
Capacity — funding, recruiting, and retaining a diverse and competent public health workforce, increased need to support local and tribal health departments as resources at the local level are reduced.
3. What would success in public health look like to you?
The field and science of public health is more widely recognized and there is cross-sector collaboration, where public health has a seat at the table, to solve complex and multifaceted issues facing communities through upstream, prevention-oriented strategies.
4. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a veterinarian and work on my own ranch!
5. Describe yourself in three words.
Honest, caring, processor.
Christa Cupp is an educator, innovator, and leader who profoundly impacts the health of local communities across Wisconsin. She has a passion for rural public health and is constantly developing ways to equip the next generation of public health professionals. As a public health educator for the Division of Public Health in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, she provides technical assistance to 18 local health departments and two tribal health departments in western Wisconsin while simultaneously supporting statewide projects. She also serves as an instructor at Alverno College, preparing the next generation of public health leaders to enter the workforce.
Christa holds a BS in community health education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a Master of Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and maintains a Master Certified Health Education Specialist certificate.
