Heather Whetsell, MBA, MSHI

Primary Responsibilities

My primary responsibility is providing senior administrative oversight for the financial, operational and strategic planning infrastructure of the Department of Population Science and Policy. 

About

I graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master's in Business Administration, and Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics. The month following my MBA graduation, I began my career at SIU School of Medicine. First, as a statistician, responsible for analyzing neurology and Alzheimer’s disease data, then as an institutional research data coordinator, building and managing neurology databases. I also volunteered in the community, serving as an Alzheimer’s Association Memory Loss Support Group leader for five years. Over time, my interests shifted from database development to research and financial administration, and I transitioned to my current role as Administrative Director. I am a Certified Medical Practice Executive through the American College of Medical Practice Executives, and a Certified Clinical Research Professional in the Society for Clinical Research Associates. I am currently a 2021 National Rural Health Association (NRHA) NRHA Rural Health Fellow, serve on the NRHA Rural Health Congress, Co-Chair of United Way of Central Illinois’ Education Vision Council, and have presented PSP’s efforts at the state and national level at events including NRHA and APHA annual conferences.