Lydia West has worked in public health and community health for over 20 years. Professionally, she has focused in the areas of maternal/child health as well as school breakfast and lunch programs. She is based in Jackson, MS, US, is currently a Consultant at Mississippi Department of Education. Lydia West brings experience from previous roles at Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Public Health Institute, Mississippi State Department of Health and Tulane University. Lydia West holds an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts Technology @ Hinds Community College; a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences from Mississippi State University; and an MPHA in Community Health Education from Tulane University.
She has been a member in MPHA since 2010. Over the last 14 years, she has served as the Nutrition Section Chair, secretary and member at large for the MPHA Board of Directors, as well as several groups and committees such as the National Public Health Committee, Young Professionals Specialty Interest Group, Strategic Planning Committee, Legislative Committee, Communications Committee, and Annual Conference Education Committee. She chaired the 2024 MPHA Awards Committee.