PHD Alumni Spotlights
Attending the School of Public Health was life-changing. You are surrounded by internationally known researchers from all backgrounds who are always available and willing to help. I’ve have published some of my work and essentially this happens because of the supporting environment here.
The beauty of the HSR program is that you get the training, mentorship, and exposure to succeed wherever your career takes you. The program itself is well structured, but beyond it, the university has vast resources designed to set you up for success when you take advantage of them.
Shannon Butkus
United Healthcare, Community & State Division - Vice President of Skilled TherapiesShannon Butkus ‘18, received her PhD in Health Services Research and is Vice President of Skilled Therapies for UnitedHealth Care’s Community & State Division where she will have oversight of the company’s therapy services program across the country for their Medicaid, CHIP, and dual eligible products.
Joshua R. Vest, PhD, MPH
Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health - Professor of Health Policy & Management/Director of the Center for Health PolicyDr. Vest is currently the Co-PI of a Robert Wood Johnson System for Action Collaborating Research Center that has developed and introduced an EHR-based computerized decision support system to support more effective use of social services within primary care. This work was recently awarded the CAHME/Wharton Research Data Services Best Paper for Empirical Research and won regional and national competitions for best new disruptive solutions designed to improve patient outcomes.
Liza M. Creel, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Health Care Policy and ResearchDr. Liza Creel (2015) leads research in quality of care and health outcomes among Colorado children covered by Medicaid, including those in foster care, access to hearing healthcare services for adults and children, and systems of care for pregnant people with substance use disorder. Her work has been published in health policy and medical journals including Health Affairs and Medical Care.
