Leadership
The Northern Kentucky District Board of Health sets policy for the Health Department. The day-to-day oversight and leadership falls to the District Director of Health, with input from a senior leadership team.
District Director of Health
Jennifer L. Mooney, PhD, MS
In 2011, after ten years in behavioral science research at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Mooney moved to Cincinnati to embark on an atypical career path for a trained sociologist – public health. So much of what she had already learned through her studies and boots-on-the-ground experience was actually part of the public health system. She began this next chapter at the Cincinnati Health Department where oversaw a division of projects and programs that promote community resiliency, self-sufficiency, and health equity. She led an in-depth analysis of factors contributing to infant mortality, spearheaded the implementation of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Program for Hamilton County, and led the agency’s efforts in response to the addiction crisis.
Dr. Mooney accepted a promotion to serve as the Assistant Health Commissioner for Hamilton County Public Health in 2019. Overseeing the Department of Community Health Services, she led the divisions of harm reduction, disease prevention, epidemiology, and population health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role as the Clinical Operations Chief in he agency’s incident command structure.
In late 2022, Dr. Mooney proudly accepted a position to serve as the District Director of Health at the Northern Kentucky Health Department. Much of her work as the chief executive officer involves building and retaining a talented workforce, developing data infrastructure, and enhancing relationships with community stakeholders. As a Kentucky native, she is dedicated to leading an agency that promotes optimal health among those living in or visiting Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties.
Senior Leadership
Deputy Director: Marie Schenkel
Marie oversees the portion of NKY Health’s Administration Division that includes grants, planning, budgeting, accounting, finance, buildings and grounds, and information technology. Marie has worked at NKY Health since July 2024, although she was very familiar with the organization before starting. From 2017-2023, she served on the District Board of Health as designee for Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery. During Fiscal Year 2021-2022, she served as the Board Chair.
Marie has more than 30 years of experience in public- and private-sector finance, accounting, and information technology. She started her career in public accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining NKY Health, she served as the Finance Director/Treasurer for the Campbell County Fiscal Court for 7½ years.
Marie has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and completed the Executive MBA program at Cleveland State University. She is active in a variety of organizations, including Welcome House’s Board of Directors, and serves on a Family Resource Council for Boone County Schools. She was also appointed to the Board of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District as a citizen representative by the Boone County Fiscal Court.
Clinical Services: Pamela Millay, RN, JD
Pamela Millay is the Director of Clinical Services at NKY Health. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Chase College of Law, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Thomas More College, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Northern Kentucky University.
Pamela has a strong background in leadership, regulatory compliance, and compliance monitoring. She is currently responsible for overseeing a staff of more than 60 employees in the Clinical Services division, which provide preventative care for children and adults in four county health centers located in Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton Counties and in the community. Previous experience includes serving as Chief Operations and Compliance Officer at Redwood, a non-profit in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. Pamela was instrumental in NKY Health moving to electronic health records.
Pamela currently serves on the North Central AHEC Advisory Board, NKU Nursing Department Advisory Board, Gateway Nursing Department Advisory Board, and Redwood’s Medical Advisory Committee.
Environmental Health and Safety: Steve Divine, REHS
Steve is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, responsible for the oversight of programs that proactively reduce health risks associated with exposure to public conditions that can cause illness. Services include education, inspection, and enforcement activities related to public health regulations. Examples of more familiar programs are inspections of food service establishments, public pools, septic systems, hotels, schools, and other public facilities. Additionally, staff investigate complaints on regulated establishments, public health nuisances, animal bites, and other conditions.
Steve also oversees the Health Department’s disaster preparedness efforts. This includes planning for all-types of public health emergencies and disasters, providing training and exercises to staff and community partners, and response actions when actual events occur. Collaboration with local, state, and federal officials, partners, and citizens is an integral part of these programs.
Steve has been with NKY Health since 1989, starting as a Health Environmentalist performing inspections and investigations. He has been Director of Environmental Health and Safety since 2003.
Steve has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Northern Kentucky University. He is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and holds numerous certifications in environmental and disaster preparedness programs. Steve is a member of several professional organizations, such as the Kentucky Environmental Health Association, Kentucky Public Health Association, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and past president and founding member of the Kentucky Onsite Wastewater Association. He has also served on various state and national advisory work groups.
Population Health: Stephanie Vogel, MEd, MCHES
Stephanie oversees NKY Health’s Population Health Division, which takes a broad look at health issues and outcomes impacting the entire community or large segments of the community. The division includes Community Health Promotion programs such as tobacco prevention and cessation, healthy eating and active living, coordinated school health, LiveWell NKY, and harm reduction services. HIV Case Management services, Oral Health, Data Analysis, and Infectious Diseases such as HIV Prevention, Hepatitis C testing and linkage to care, and Epidemiology are also included in the division.
Stephanie has worked at NKY Health since 1999, starting in the tobacco prevention and cessation program. Stephanie is Vice-Chair of the Northern Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy and serves on numerous coalitions and Boards in the community. She has also served on various state and national advisory boards and councils.
Stephanie has a master’s degree of Education in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Cincinnati, and a bachelor’s degree of Science in Dietetics from Bowling Green State University. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist from the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing. Stephanie is a member of the Society for Public Health Educators, the American School of Health Association, and the American Association of Health Educators, Directors of Health Promotion and Education. In 2015, Stephanie received the Sara C. Stice Award from the Kentucky Public Health Association for outstanding contributions in the field of Health Education.