Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, Equity in Health Policy and Management

The Department of Health Policy and Management is committed to building an inclusive environment where faculty, staff, students, and other members of our community support efforts to dismantle structural oppression and racist policies and practices. The work of faculty, staff, and students in the department often focuses on the intersection of racism, health disparities and inequities, and policies that are on the forefront of national discussions. We are strengthened by our diverse community and understand the critical need for differences and perspectives. Our goal is for all students, faculty, and staff in the department to be adequately equipped to advocate for policies and practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.   

We are actively working to advance scholarship and training to cultivate an environment where all people, especially those who are historically marginalized, disenfranchised, or excluded, can thrive. To oversee the advancement and realization of inclusion, diversity, anti-racism, and equity (IDARE) in all Department activities, we have formed a committee, led by Michelle Spencer, MS, associate scientist in Health Policy and Management and associate director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative. The committee, which is comprised of students, staff, and faculty, works closely with the School’s IDARE office and HPM leadership to build a diverse inclusive community in HPM and support actions grounded in anti-racism and equity. 

The Department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity committee is actively working towards meaningful change in the following ways: 

1. Developing and implementing curriculum review to ensure materials align with IDARE goals and principles. 

2. Cultivating inclusive learning environments through educational training, workshops, and seminars 

3. Conducting a critical examination of the department’s policies and practices, including student admissions, efforts to recruit diverse students, post-doctoral trainees, faculty, and staff, and implementing changes that are in line with IDARE goals. 

4. Prioritizing and encouraging voices, perspectives, and feedback from students, faculty, and staff. 

5. Prioritizing research that incorporates consideration of inclusion and diversity in the research design and focuses on the impact of racism on public health and public safety 

The Department’s IDARE activities are in line with the School’s Strategic plan. This alignment means that the Department is committed  to being part of an institution where all people, especially those who are historically marginalized, disenfranchised, or excluded, can thrive.  

To ensure HPM’s mission of promoting diversity, and respect of diversity, among faculty, staff, and students, and in support of the IDARE principles and priorities, HPM’s strategic plan will be grounded in the foundational frames of bias, microaggressions, allyship, and anti-racism to further cultivate an inclusive environment.  

This environment will promote respect for the spectrum of human diversity and a genuine understanding of the many differences, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, and religion. 

HPM IDARE Committee Members

Michelle Spencer, MS
Associate Scientist, Health Policy and Management
Associate Director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative

Michelle Spencer works to ensure the principles of IDARE are reflected in education, policy, research, practice, and programming. She leverages the expertise and experiences of colleagues to ensure the representation of all voices while agitating structures that perpetuate inequities.

Edith Jones
Senior Administrative Coordinator

Edith Jones is the first staff co-chair on the HPM IDARE Committee. Her commitment and focus are in the areas of administrative and relationship support to advance health equity.

Audrey Cahill, PhD, MA, BA
Administrator, Health Policy and Management

Audrey has a research background in social justice, and professional experience in developing initiatives to widen access to education and implementing curriculum reform. Audrey partners with the chair of the department to ensure that the departmental operations and initiatives support our IDARE goals.

Tim Carey, JD
Law and Policy Advisor, Center for Gun Violence Solutions

Tim Carey operates at the intersection of legal, legislative, and research realms to protect civil rights and reduce gun violence through evidence-based advocacy. He seeks to engrain community engagement and equity considerations into the policymaking process to create laws informed by the people they are intended to serve.

Renan Castillo, PhD, MS
Associate Professor, Health Policy and Management

Renan Castillo is a clinical trialist and trauma researcher. He believes universities exist for the purpose of advancing human knowledge, prosperity and freedom. They can only do this work if they represent and reflect the hopes, dreams and perspectives of all society.

Karen Charron
Associate Director, Master of Health Administration

Karen Charron is interested in IDARE around health equity and working within the department to advance IDARE principles in student recruitment and curriculum.

Diane Coraggio
Chief of Staff, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy

Diane Coraggio has a background in program management and vaccine policy and advocacy. She believes that equity starts with our own relationships and teams, which leads to structural and systemic change.

Conan Dickson
Associate Scientist, Health Policy and Management

Conan Dickson works closely with student in the health leadership and management programs. He believes that cultural competencies reflected by the work of the IDARE Committee are critically important to future leaders and it is our responsibility to actively create a nurturing environment for multi-directional inclusive learning.

Caitlin Hoffman, MPH
Communications Associate, Health Policy and Management

Caitlin Hoffman supports strategic communications in the department, including its IDARE initiatives. She is dedicated to developing and reinforcing messaging that reflects the department's commitment to IDARE that are intentional, engaging, and authentic. 

Deborah Isola
MHA Student

Deborah Isola is a second year Master of Health Administration student and a Healthcare Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. She serves as the DEI Chair for the Master of Health Administration Student Association and is committed to supporting innovative methods for advancing health equity.

Nicholas Meyerson
PhD Student

Nicholas Meyerson is a third year PhD student who studies gun violence prevention with an emphasis on place-based and racial/ethnic disparities.

Hossein Zare, PhD
Assistant Scientist, Health Policy and Management

Hossein Zare is an expert regarding policy evaluation and measuring racial/ethnic and economic health inequalities, police violence, and neighborhood and place based disparities on policing and health outcomes.