Cathy Thomas, MAEd, CHES
Branch Head
Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch
N.C. Division of Public Health
Cathy Thomas serves as the Head of the Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Branch, N.C. Division of Public Health. Within the PAN Branch, Cathy has been instrumental in establishing Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina, a statewide initiative led by the N.C. Division of Public Health that promotes healthy eating and physical activity for all North Carolinians. Cathy along with the PAN Branch team employs the motto that "none of us is as strong as all of us" and seeks every opportunity to form partnerships with a variety of agencies to promote programs, projects and initiatives focused on increasing healthy behaviors.
Cathy has served as the President of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and continues to be involved in both public health and health education professional organizations. Cathy is the co-author/developer of a host of programs and tools to enhance physical activity and nutrition opportunities for preschool, school, community, faith, home and healthcare settings. Currently, she is co-principal investigator for "Color Me Healthy" and the award-winning "SyberShop" programs. Her recent developments include "Women Living Healthy, Women Living Well," "North Carolina's Recommended Standards for All Foods Available in School", "North Carolina's Recommended Standards for Physical Activity in School' and "Families Eating Smart and Moving More."
Cathy has 26 years of experience in both school health and public health. In her school health role, she has been a classroom teacher, school health coordinator for Nash County Schools and Camp Lejune Dependent Schools, and served as assistant principal for Delalio Elementary School in Jacksonville, NC. In her public health role, she served as a local health educator in Greene and Wilson Counties. In her current role as a public health administrator, Cathy oversees the CDC funding addressing obesity issues in North Carolina.
A native of North Carolina, Cathy received her Bachelor of Science in School and Community Health Education and her Masters in Education with a Supervisor's Certification from East Carolina University.
