How does your Brown training impact your work as Chief of Healthcare Equity at the Rhode Island Department of Health?
Before coming to Brown I had been working in health equity for years without knowing the name for it. At Brown, I learned that this was an emerging field and that Rhode Island was at the forefront. I also learned that there were lots of opportunities to support this work in meaningful ways as a public health practitioner.
In my studies, I was able to look deeply into place as a driver of health through courses with Professors Dulin, Brockman and Braun. And I was exposed to the Health Equity Zones (HEZ) initiative through a presentation by the former Directors of RIDOH and HEZ community-level leaders. My exposure to this course work and to local initiatives shaped my professional trajectory.