Rooted in Health; RIH Initiative Coordinator

Position Title

Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Coordinator

$80,000 - $95,000, depending on experience (plus benefits)

6/30/2026

Kentucky Department for Public Health (hybrid)

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the sole entity authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private‑sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission.

Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has launched approximately 1,000 programs and raised over $740 million. The CDC Foundation managed over 300 CDC‑led programs in the United States and in more than 130 countries last year.

The CDC Foundation is seeking a dependable and collaborative Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Coordinator to support the Kentucky Department for Public Health in the RIH initiative, which focuses on expanding dental workforce capacity, implementing teledentistry infrastructure, and improving oral health access through innovative delivery models. RIH is one of the five new initiatives launching under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a statewide effort to strengthen rural health access and outcomes.

This role will help translate RHTP’s broader vision into effective, on the ground implementation for RIH’s oral health focus. The RIH Initiative Coordinator is a member of the A3 Transformation Team (Aspire → Activate → Attain), which functions as RHTP’s central “nerve center” for disciplined execution across all five initiatives. The current work environment is primarily hybrid (2-3 days a week in office).

This role may require statewide travel.

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy, health administration, dental hygiene, or related field
• 3+ years’ of experience in program coordination, healthcare operations, or public health administration, preferably in oral health or rural health settings
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, including scheduling, logistics, and stakeholder engagement
• Strong data management and reporting skills, with experience in compiling performance metrics and supporting compliance requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications

• Advanced degree in public health, health policy, health administration or related field
• Experience with rural health systems and culturally responsive engagement strategies
• Understanding of teledentistry platforms, health IT interoperability standards, and mobile care delivery models
• Certification in quality improvement or healthcare management (e.g., CPHQ, PMP)
• Familiarity with Kentucky’s public health ecosystem, rural community needs, and social determinants of health

• Support development and execution of RIH’s implementation plan, working closely with the RIH Initiative Lead
• Coordinate logistics for statewide and local activities, including training sessions, stakeholder meetings, and site visits
• Develop and maintain program tracking mechanisms, such as initiative calendars, task trackers, and progress dashboards
• Prepare status reports, briefing documents, and presentations for leadership to support compliance with CMS requirements
• Assist with procurement and distribution of supplies and technology for mobile and teledental programs

• Serve as a primary point of contact for initiative partners, responding to inquiries and facilitating collaboration
• Draft and distribute communication materials, newsletters, and updates for internal and external stakeholders
• Support planning and facilitation of oral health convenings, work groups, and advisory sessions, including agenda development and documentation
• Maintain stakeholder contact lists and engagement records to promote consistent outreach…