Linda Champion, MPA

Chapter Project Manager, Alabama Chapter-AAP
Project Manager,  Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance

Since 2008, Linda Champion has served as the Project Coordinator for the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and in 2013 transitioned to the Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance (ACHIA) as Project Manager where she has a role in assisting both entities in building a strong foundation for quality improvement activities.

In this position she continues to work with Alabama–AAP, but works with providers and stakeholders to implement ACHIA approved projects for new initiatives in quality improvement, as well as implement spread strategies for projects that have already achieved replication status.  In her joint capacity she oversees program development and management of numerous quality improvement initiatives such as the Chapter Quality Network Asthma Quality Improvement Collaborative (2009 – 2011), the Alabama Early Screening Improvement Training (2011 – 2015), the Healthy Active Living Quality Improvement Collaborative (2015 – 2016).  

Linda’s volunteer service has been extensive and has benefited organizations such as the American Cancer Society and as a member of the Alabama Department of Public Health Advisory Board on ALL Kids Program.  In her advocacy work for children’s mental health, she has been involved with the National Alliance for Mental Illness at both the state and national levels, the Alabama Department of Mental Health Mental Illness Planning Council where she served as Chair for three years, the NAMI National Child and Adolescent Action Center where she secured funding to bring technical assistance to Alabama for the first Children’s Policy Day to focus attention on children’s mental health issues. Linda has also worked with the Alabama Congressional members to advance funding for Keeping Families Together Act, Mental Health Crisis Relief Act and has testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on the fragmented children’s mental health system in Alabama and our Nation.

A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ms. Champion received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in public administration from the Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Champion has over 20 years of experience in all facets of a mid-sized municipality serving as City Administrator.  Moving to the non-profit venue, she used her experience in research, writing, and administration of grants.   Ms. Champion is married with two sons and three grandchildren