Debra Bara, MA
Manager, Communities of Practice

404-924-8250 (Phone)
404-371-0415 (Fax)
dbara@phii.org

Debra Bara is responsible for managing the Connections Community of Practice (CoP). The Connections CoP is a learning community that assists public health agencies to develop strategies and activities for integrating information systems essential to improving the health of children. Ms. Bara’s primary responsibilities include facilitating peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and problem solving among Connections members, identifying and documenting best practices of the learning community, and developing collaborations with organizations to support the development of integrated child health information systems.

Ms. Bara has extensive experience in strategic planning, program planning and implementation, public health advocacy, maternal and child health services and mental health. She has over 20 years experience at the management and executive levels in both private and public health care settings, including children’s hospitals, non-profits, and a private/public community based coalition. Prior to joining the Institute, Ms. Bara was an executive in Florida’s Healthy Start Initiative, a private/public partnership to improve the health status of Florida mothers and babies.

Ms. Bara received her undergraduate degree from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida and MA in Rehabilitative Counseling from the University of South Florida.