Debbie Watts is originally from McAlester, Oklahoma and is currently the Federal Grants Coordinator at Tulsa Honor Academy. She is a graduate of the University of Tulsa and received her bachelor's degree in Music (Flute Performance) with a minor in History. She received her master's in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and worked on a Doctorate in Public Health in Environmental Science there as well. She studied Biomedicine at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine immediately prior to her employment at THA. Her background includes 23 years with the Tulsa Health Department, where she supervised and managed in the Food Protection Program. There, in addition to general managerial responsibilities, she trained and mentored new employees, wrote and managed federal grants and compliance with the National Retail Food Program Standards, participated in the Food-Borne Illness Response Committee, and reviewed and coordinated the Plan Review/Construction program for new and remodeled businesses. She attained certifications through the Food and Drug Association, was a Mentor with the National Association of City-County Health Departments, a Councilperson and Officer with the national Council for Food Protection, and was a Fellow of the CDC Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute. She is excited to be a part of the THA Familia because she wants share her vast knowledge of Public Health with the school to protect and prevent illness, and make a safe learning environment for all the Scholars, Faculty and Staff.
