Now on Sale
About me.
I am a medical and psychological anthropologist dedicated to deeply listening to how individuals, providers, and communities strive to manage health conditions in order to achieve wellbeing.
I received my PhD from Emory University in 1998. Since then I have had the pleasure of working at UCLA and Miami University. In addition I have been lucky to partner and do transdisciplinary research with people in the U.S., Indonesia, Zambia and India.
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My research focuses on chronic health conditions and improving health equity, while striving to bridge the deep knowledge of anthropological approaches with the health equity imperative of global health.
Across my research, I bring the unique tools and perspectives of anthropology to understand what enables people to successfully cope with illness and enhance well-being.
Miami University is my scholarly home.
Across these professional roles and others associated with the work needed by professional organizations and educational institutions I am committed to being a servant leader. For example, I co-led with Dr. Kendall Leser an innovative contact tracing program. For this and other servant leadership work, I was awarded the Miami University President's Medallion (2020), the Prodesse Quam Conspici Award (2021), and the President's Distinguished Service Award (2022).
Professor
Anthropology & Global Health
My courses seek to engage student curiosity, while introducing them to anthropological perspectives and augmenting their skills in integrating and communicating information, and collaboratively solving problems.
Chair
Department of Anthropology
I work to support the teaching and research of colleagues and welcome the interactions of alumni to enhance engaged and perspective-enhancing student learning.
Director
Global Health Research Innovation Center
I work with colleagues to encourage transdisciplinary research that prioritizes community partnerships as we strive together to improve health equity across the lifespan.
Curiosity drives my work.
Encouraging students to think outside their comfort zones to better understand the complexities of the world.
Building collaborations to address challenging problems.