Allison has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine from Marietta College and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University. She completed the Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute from the School of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. She also holds a Certificate for lactation counseling. Allison completed an associate degree in nursing in the Spring of 2016.
Allison began her public health career in 2000 as the community health educator for the Buffalo Trace District Health Department. While in her role as health educator she was instrumental in building community partnerships and advocating for health policy with the goal of improving the health status of Mason and Robertson County residents. She was promoted to the District Director for the Buffalo Trace District Health Department in August of 2008. As the Director, she oversaw the operation of a small multicounty health department, ensuring the delivery of a broad range of public health services to 20,000 residents.
Allison believes strongly in the value of good health policy and its influence in disease prevention. As the public health director, she grew the capacity of her local health department to meet all aspect of public health. She saw the need to engage public health staff, local elected officials, key leaders, and the community to embrace their role in addressing the social determinants of health. Allison served as the President of the Kentucky Health Department Association. She made her presidential mission in Kentucky to develop the local health department director’s role of chief health strategist. She advocated for and was influential in recent passage of Kentucky legislation for transforming Kentucky’s public health system.