What is your professional background?
I studied biology and nutritional science as an undergraduate at UW-Madison (go Badgers!), traveled South to Emory to get my Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology, had a brief stint consulting as a medical/science writer, then returned to Emory to get my Doctorate in Epidemiology. I crossed the bridge (literally) in 2011 to become a faculty member in the Department of Surgery, Transplant Division. In 2015, I took on a leadership position within the Emory Transplant Center directing their Health Services Research program in transplantation. And, just in the last few weeks, I have taken on a new role as Director of the new combined Medicine/Surgery Center for Health Services Research, which I am really excited about catalyzing new synergies across departments, schools, and our hospital system.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
My primary appointment is in the Department of Surgery, Transplant Division, but I have several other appointments (Renal Division in the DOM; Department of Pediatrics; and the Department of Epidemiology at RSPH). The nature of my research and work really depends on multidisciplinary collaboration, so I have mentorship from several people across departments and schools. Chris Larsen (Transplant) has been a great career mentor. Stephen Pastan (Renal Division) has also provided critical mentorship/guidance on the clinical significance of some of my research. I also have great mentors in the School of Public Health (Kimberly Jacob Arriola, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Jason Hockenberry in Health Policy and Management, and the late Bill McClellan in Epidemiology/Renal Medicine was my MPH and PhD mentor and probably had the most substantial influence on my career).
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research goal is to improve quality and equity of healthcare in organ transplantation across multiple levels (e.g., patient, provider, and health system levels). Specifically, my research team focuses on new systems of collecting surveillance data for patients with end-organ failure, using these data to describe variation in access to healthcare and outcomes of treatment across geographic regions, populations, and health systems, developing appropriate quality metrics for health care systems to maximize quality but to also ensure center innovation in healthcare treatment, and developing and testing evidence-based interventions to improve quality and equity in these important outcomes. With my role in the new Center for Health Services Research, I hope to broaden this health systems’ approach to ensure that health services research methods are applied to rigorously answer the most critical questions facing healthcare today. This has important implications for our health system, but most importantly for the patients we serve.
What do you like most about Emory?
I love the collaborative Emory culture!
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I don’t watch many movies, but my favorite genre is goofy comedy – I can watch Elf (Will Ferrell) with my kids anytime of the year and laugh hysterically!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a mom with two young children, ages 3 & almost 5, that keep me very busy, so I have little “spare” time at this point in my life. When I do have time, I love to go for a run or read a book. I love efficiency hacks, so I love doing things like walking on my treadmill desk while working, having walking meetings, and throwing my kids in the stroller for a jog while reading them a book (as long as I’m running in a safe place, of course!).
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