Biography

I am a medical sociologist on a mission to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and connect people with the knowledge and tools to advocate for evidence-based public policy and health systems change. To date, I have published more than 140 journal articles, book chapters, and reports on the social determinants of health, health policy, and health services research.

One of my current NIH funded projects is studying the etiology of mis- and disinformation among Latino immigrants and the related “chilling effects,” including enrolling in Medicaid and seeking health care, because of government laws or action. Another ongoing NIH project is examining the effects of multiple public health emergencies on Puerto Rico’s health care system.

I have more than 9 years of academic leadership experience, previously serving as Senior Associate Dean for Education at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health and Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health. Prior to my administrative appointments, I founded the Center for Health Policy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and also served as Senior Policy Analyst for Government Affairs in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for External Affairs.

Please contact me if you are a interested in collaboration, consultation, or mentoring.

Research Interest
  • Cancer
  • Health Policy
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Sociology
  • Social Determinants of Health