The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is excited to announce that Molly Gutilla, DrPH, has been appointed program director for the Rural Public Health Initiative. The initiative is a one-year pilot designed to enhance the school's research, education, and connection within rural and frontier communities throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
Dr. Molly Gutilla, DrPH, serves as an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at ColoradoSPH—University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, and in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at ColoradoSPH—Colorado State University. With expertise in epidemiology, public health data management, and community-driven solutions, Dr. Gutilla’s work focuses on addressing health disparities through teaching, research, and practice.
"As the ColoradoSPH enters its 17th year, we are committed to delivering more public health programming throughout the state," said Cathy Bradley, Dean of ColoradoSPH. "With reductions in public health resources at the federal, state, and local levels, now is a critical time for the school to serve as both an advocate and resource to the communities impacted, including rural and frontier counties, and I know Dr. Gutilla will do so effectively."
Growing up in a rural Ohio community and having lived and worked in rural Colorado, Dr. Gutilla brings a personal and professional understanding of the challenges and strengths of rural life. Her leadership in the Larimer County Academic Health Department and her presidency of the Health District of Northern Larimer County’s Board of Directors demonstrate her commitment to bridging academia and public health practice.
As an educator and researcher, Dr. Gutilla has worked on interdisciplinary projects focused on environmental epidemiology, public health data and policy. She is dedicated to promoting workforce development and strengthening rural public health infrastructure across Colorado. Her new role as program director begins on May 15th, and she will continue to fulfill her other faculty duties at Colorado State University.
"Rural communities are resourceful, strong, and deeply collaborative," said Dr. Gutilla. She continued, "I am honored to take on this role and look forward to partnering with communities and colleagues statewide to enhance health and promote impactful, sustainable public health solutions for rural Colorado."