This award honors the memory of Matthew Girvin, '94 MPH IH, who died in January 2001 while serving on a United Nations surveying mission.
The award is presented to a recent graduate of the Rollins School of Public Health who exemplifies Girvin's selfless dedication to the field of public health and who has made significant contributions toward improving the lives and health of others.
Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, MPH began her career on Wall Street as a healthcare investment banker. Ironically, it was there that she saw first-hand the systemic issues in the health care sector that she wanted to change.
“Several of my clients at that time were hospitals, and I began questioning the recurring patterns I observed,” Jennifer says. “Concurrently, I witnessed significant health care disparities affecting my own family, who lived in an area devoid of accessible medical care. This dual exposure solidified my resolve to delve deeper into public health.”
Armed with a determination to effect change through a robust public health education, she pursued a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management at Rollins.
Jennifer’s early career was marked by significant contributions and a deepening of her expertise with positions as a health policy associate at the Georgia Institute of Technology, a prestigious ORISE fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a Lead Policy and Partnerships Analyst with the Million Hearts Initiative, the nation’s effort to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
“This experience expanded my passion for health equity,” she says. “We engaged with numerous rural communities facing critical challenges and limited capacity for preventive screenings. I recognized the imperative for innovative solutions and the inclusion of non-traditional stakeholders who mirrored the communities we served.”
Her visionary approach and unwavering commitment to equity soon garnered the attention of the University System of Georgia (USG), which appointed her as Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Care Policy spanning the 26 public colleges and universities in the State of Georgia. Focused on addressing the state’s nursing shortage through collaboration with nursing schools, her initiatives to address healthcare deserts in Georgia resulted in a 22% boost in the statewide nursing student population and three new healthcare programs in marginalized communities in the state.
Throughout her public health career, Jennifer has maintained a strong focus on maternal health. As a member of the Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Maternal Health Equity Research Advisory Council, she engages in critical research to address barriers to maternal health equity. While serving as Mrs. Georgia America 2022-23, she became a national spokesperson for maternal health, and hosted the Maternal Care Champion Awards to honor dedicated providers and advocates. Her YouTube web series, Maternal Health Conversations, spreads awareness from healthcare experts. Her authored work, "A Queen’s Birth Story," and her upcoming documentary on the history of prenatal care hospitals in the segregated south further demonstrate her commitment to fostering national dialogue and driving advocacy.
Today, as CEO of Health Equilibrium Group, Jennifer drives high-impact initiatives that enhance health equity, access, and outcomes. She also serves as a member of the Emory University Board of Visitors, March of Dimes Georgia Chapter’s Executive Leadership Team, and as a health equity ambassador with the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Her accolades include the Atlanta Hawks Healthcare Hero Award, National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 Health Equity Leader Award, March of Dimes Woman of Distinction in Healthcare Award, the Boston Congress of Public Health Healthcare Innovator to Watch Award, and the Young Government Leaders 40 Under 40 Award. She frequently serves as keynote speaker and panelist at national conferences and events, and is published in academic journals such as the Journal of Public Health Management Practice.
Although still relatively early in her career, there is no doubt that Jennifer will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing health equity and improving outcomes for marginalized communities as a researcher, public health law practitioner, health equity leader, and maternal health champion. We are pleased to name her as our 2023-2024 Matthew Lee Girvin Award recipient.
Please complete our Award Nomination Form
All nominations are confidential and will be considered for three years, unless otherwise indicated by the nominee. If needed, the committee will contact the nominee to update the application.