Rutgers School of Public Health alumna Denise Anderson, PhD, MPH, leads health equity initiatives at New Jersey's Public Health Institute, where she advances human-centered systems change for communities
Each April, the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Office of Career Services features alumni whose work is advancing health and well-being locally and globally. Launched in 2021, Alumni April brings together students, alumni, faculty and community partners through stories and events that showcase diverse career paths and the many ways public health professionals drive impactful change.
This year’s Alumni April theme, Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health, centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers and the people-first values that shape the profession. These leaders illustrate the many ways our alumni bring public health values into varied roles and sectors, while keeping people and communities at the heart of what they do.
Among them is Denise Anderson, PhD, MPH, Executive Director of The Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing at New Jersey's Public Health Institute. Here, she reflects on her journey, what it means to “humanize public health” and her advice for future public health leaders.
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Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I am currently the Executive Director of The Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing (CHEW-NJPHI), New Jersey’s Public Health Institute, where I lead statewide efforts to advance health equity, strengthen public health–health care partnerships, and build community-driven solutions to complex health challenges. As a public health strategist and health equity leader, I bring experience across government, academia, and community-based systems change, with a focus on translating data and policy into real-world impact.
I hold advanced training in public health and am a Yale Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Equity Leadership, with prior fellowship experience at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, bridging public health practice with policy and governance to drive more equitable outcomes for New Jersey communities.
How did your non-traditional path shape your public health career?
My undergraduate degree is in human ecology with a concentration in dietetics. I became a registered dietitian and started my career as an inpatient and outpatient clinical dietitian. Post my MPH degree, I obtained my PhD in urban systems – the study of the education and healthcare systems, plus the environment on urban populations. Lastly, I am currently pursuing an executive MBA.
To me, humanizing public health means lifting it from an 'invisible shield' to something people can see, understand, and recognize in their everyday lives—how it protects them from routine risks and hazards.
Denise Anderson, PhD, MPH
Alumna, Rutgers School of Public Health
Through this training, I've bridged individual and population health, grounded my work in analytics and evidence-based approaches, and strengthened my business acumen, enabling me to lead New Jersey’s Public Health Institute with a focus on impact, sustainability, and systems-level change.
What does “humanizing public health” mean to you?
To me, humanizing public health means lifting it from an “invisible shield” to something people can see, understand, and recognize in their everyday lives—how it protects them from routine risks and hazards. It also means building shared understanding and support for actions that serve the collective good, even when they go beyond individual preferences.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to those pursuing a career in public health?
Your degree is the beginning of a lifelong learning journey—not the end of it. Be intentional about learning from every experience and interaction, whether it shows you what to do or what not to do. Each lesson will sharpen your judgment and make you a stronger professional over time.
