A Champion for Health

Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, was inspired to pivot to public health after her tenure on Wall Street revealed systemic issues in the health care sector.

“Several of my clients at that time were hospitals, and I began questioning the recurring patterns I observed,” Pettie 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, Pettie pursued a Master of Public Health at Rollins, her top choice. She enthusiastically joined the Department of Health Policy and Management in 2014.

Pettie’s tenure at Rollins propelled her into an influential career in health policy. From a health policy associate role at Georgia Institute of Technology—which she secured through the Rollins Earn and Learn program—to an ORISE fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), her early career was marked by significant contributions and a deepening of her expertise.

While at the CDC, she served in a pivotal role 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.”

Pettie’s visionary approach and unwavering commitment to equity garnered the attention of the University System of Georgia (USG), which appointed her as associate vice chancellor for health care policy in 2019. Initially focused on addressing the state’s nursing shortage through collaboration with nursing schools, Pettie’s role quickly evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic when she served on USG’s COVID task force. She reflects that “the foundational education I received at Emory empowered me to navigate these unprecedented challenges with confidence and resilience.”

Throughout her public health journey, Pettie, a maternal near-miss survivor (a phrase referring to a situation when a pregnant person nearly dies during pregnancy, childbirth, or the 42 days after pregnancy), has maintained a strong focus on maternal health. 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. She continues to champion maternal health as a member of the Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Maternal Health Equity Research Advisory Council.

Today, as CEO of Health Equilibrium Group, Pettie drives high-impact initiatives that enhance health equity, access, and outcomes. She also serves as a member of the Emory University Board of Visitors 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, and the Boston Congress of Public Health Healthcare Innovator to Watch Award.

Pettie’s unique trajectory in public health, spanning various sectors, has amplified her impact in the areas she is most passionate about.

“My advice to emerging public health professionals is to embrace innovation,” she advises. “Public health intersects with numerous sectors beyond traditional boundaries—law, technology, the arts, and more. Recognize these intersections, and allow them to shape your career and your vision for impact.”