Published on February 2, 2026 by Alison Ingle  
ekta choudhary

Samford University's School of Public Health welcomed Ekta Choudhary, PhD, prevention and wellness director at the Jefferson County (Alabama) Department of Health, as the featured speaker for the Dean’s Seminar Series on Jan. 22. Choudhary shared highlights from her national public health career and discussed the growing importance of data, partnerships and leadership in addressing modern health challenges. 

With more than 15 years of experience in injury prevention, environmental health and informatics, Choudhary has held leadership roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she directed the $11 million Injury Control Research Centers program and led national research initiatives. She encouraged students to see how public health principles connect across different areas of practice. 

“Public health is multifaceted, but has common threads,” Choudhary said. “Data is always common, regardless of whether you are looking at large fiscal analysis, basic demographic analysis or qualitative data. Data integration is critical.” 

Choudhary spoke about her path to public health, including her doctoral training and her role as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. Her first major field assignment involved an investigation into chlorine exposure at a metal recycling facility in California. She recalled how that experience underscored the need for coordination and adaptability during emergency responses and emphasized the importance of teamwork in public health operations. 

She went on to describe her leadership at the Injury Control Research Centers program at the CDC, where she supported academic research centers across the country focused on injury and violence prevention. Choudhary said the program not only advanced national research but also played a major role in preparing the next generation of injury prevention professionals.  

Turning to her current work in Jefferson County, Choudhary highlighted the department’s focus on chronic disease prevention, environmental health and improving local health systems. She said public health work is inherently collaborative. 

“No single agency in public health can do the work alone,” she said. “You have to work with local government, academic partners and nonprofit organizations.”  

Choudhary also stressed the need for strong leadership and systems thinking in today’s public health environment. “Leaders make the difference,” she said. “The public health system requires data, expertise and relationships—we cannot work without these three. Connecting the communities and academia plays a huge role.” 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.