Holding considerable expertise in health care program development and promotion, Ellen G. Feiler has had a long-standing love and appreciation for public health. While studying at Hunter College, she was greatly influenced by one of her professors, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in health education in 1973. Following this, she embarked on her career as an instructor of health education at Queensborough Community College and Brooklyn College, positions she held until 1980. During this time, she obtained a Master of Science in health and safety education at the University of Illinois in 1974 and completed coursework in gerontology at Columbia University from 1977 to 1979.
Relocating to Florida, Ms. Feiler became the director of health promotion and social marketing for the Florida Department of Health in Broward County in 1980, a position she held for 35 years until her retirement in 2015. In this role, she was responsible for handling all of the health media for the entire county. She developed the first tobacco cessation program and did considerable work with traffic safety with bike paths and public health. Continuing to further her education throughout her career, she went on to obtain a Master of Arts in gerontology from Lynn University, a certificate in health care leadership and health education specialist designation.
Attributing much of her success to her love of what she does, along with the fact that every day in the field brings something new and exciting, Ms. Feiler remains active as a consultant in her retirement. She notably rejoined the Department of Health in Broward County in 2020 to serve on their COVID-19 team, having previously been the clinic coordinator for the New York City Health Department during their swine flu program. Furthermore, she has served on numerous boards and coalitions locally, statewide and at the federal level, working to represent and promote public health.
With Broward County, Ms. Feiler spent time on the human rights board, the Nutrition and Fitness Task Force, the “Tobacco Free Project,” various boards and committees for the Broward County Public Schools, and the Smart Girls Partnership of Broward County, among others. Ever seeking to improve her community, she has volunteered with Minivan Healthcare; been active with the Florida Literacy Coalition, the Elderly Interest Fund, and the Regional Domestic Security Task Force; and served on the technical advisory committee for the National Completed Streets Coalition and on the community advisory board for Connect to Protect.
A lifetime member American Cancer Society, Ms. Feiler is also involved with the Florida Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the Aging and Disability Research Center as well. She holds further membership with the Florida Public Health Association, the Florida Association of Public Health Educators, the American Public Health Association, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, and the New York State Federation of Public Health Educators. Additionally, she spent time with the U.S. Army Medical Research Command with the U.S. Department of Defense.
For excellence in her career, Ms. Feiler was presented with the ninth annual Excellence in Healthcare Award by the South Florida Business Journal and was inducted into the Hunter College Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1993, she was recognized as the Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers. Other accolades to her name include various state awards, the Ann S. Loop Award for Outstanding Health Education Neighbor and being featured in Who’s Who in America Among Junior Colleges. Above everything, Ms. Feiler considers the most gratifying part of her career to be teaching, no matter what area she is working in. She loves people and imparting information to them.
Born in the Bronx borough of New York City, Ms. Feiler currently resides in Wilton Manors, Florida, with her three dogs. When not involved in consulting, she enjoys photography — particularly black and white photography — going to her local gym, and attending committee meetings to keep up to date on goings on in her community. Ms. Feiler stives to live her life by the motto “Try to do the best you can every day.”