Tricia Runningen serves as Director of the Morgan County Health Department, where she leads public health efforts to protect and improve the health and well-being of residents across the county. With extensive experience in local public health leadership, Tricia oversees department operations, community health planning, and collaborative initiatives that address key health priorities and access to services. Her work has been recognized locally, including being named a Local Public Health Hero for her commitment to community health. In addition to her role with the Health Department, Tricia serves as Transportation Task Force Leader for the Better Communities Coalition, where she applies systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration to advance transportation access across Morgan County. Her efforts focus on coordinated, infrastructure-based strategies that encourage physical activity, reduce pollution, connect vulnerable populations to healthcare and healthy food, and enhance mobility for all residents. Tricia holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with minors in Coaching and Public Health and earned her Master of Public Health from Indiana University. Her career has included work in military physical conditioning, healthy aging, chronic disease prevention, and upstream public health initiatives. She also serves as Vice President of the Morgan County Parks Board and is a graduate of the Morgan County Leadership Academy.