Four exceptional doctoral students graduated from the University of Washington Health Services PhD program this spring. With varying research interests and professional backgrounds, the recent alumni are connected by a shared passion for advancing equity in public health.
Drs. Ammarah Mahmud, Érica Chavez Santos, Anna Localio, and Shanise Owens reflected on their dissertations and program experience.
Ammarah Mahmud
Dissertation: Effects of a social health integration program on patient social needs, utilization, and cost outcomes in Kaiser Permanente Washington clinics
Committee Members: Edwin Wong, PhD (chair), India Ornelas, PhD, Cara Lewis, PhD, Meagan Brown, PhD, and Anjum Hajat, PhD
“I am so fortunate to have found such a supportive, collaborative, and knowledgeable community these past 5 years. My deepest gratitude goes to my dissertation committee: Edwin Wong, Cara Lewis, India Ornelas, Meagan Brown, and Anjum Hajat. Their guidance, mentorship, and patience throughout this dissertation journey have significantly shaped my growth and development as a researcher.
Special thanks also to Emily Williams for her leadership and guidance as I navigated this program and dissertation process. And to Emily Bernet, whose support helped me overcome the unique challenges of pursuing this program during a pandemic. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the KP Social Health team. I am also incredibly grateful for my HSPop peers, especially my cohort: Anna, Carolyn, Maddie, and Shanise.
I feel so lucky that we experienced this unique journey together. Finally, to my family and friends, words cannot express my deep appreciation for your unwavering support throughout this entire journey. You have been a constant source of strength and encouragement.”
Dr. Ammarah Mahmud
Mahmud’s research interests include health policy and program evaluation, social determinants of health, and health care delivery. She works as a research associate with Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute.
Her dissertation chair, Dr. Edwin Wong said, “Ammarah is dedicated to conducting the highest quality research in health policy and health care delivery. She’s already made substantial contributions to science including novel insights on how health care systems can help people with social needs. I am confident Ammarah’s experiences in the Health Services PhD Program will propel a highly successful career.”
Érica Chavez Santos
Dissertation: Examining the association of labor laws on workplace safety and health indicators among Latinx agricultural workers
Committee Members: Barbara Baquero, PhD (chair), India Ornelas, PhD, Heather Hill, PhD, and June Spector, MD
“I can’t express how thankful I am for the friends and family that have supported me through this PhD journey. First off, I’d like to thank my parents, Gloria and Arturo Chavez. Gracias mami y papi por todo su apoyo y amor. To my partner, Thomas, thank you for taking care of me through all the toughest phases of this program and for being there to celebrate every win with me. Thank you to mi familia, Luisito, Pugi, Brittany, Codie, and the kiddos, Lalo, and all my loving family members who cheered me on and kept me grounded.
My Health Services peers and friends, I couldn’t have gotten here without you. From writing sessions to celebrations, I know this is just the beginning of being in each other’s lives as friends and colleagues. My dissertation committee, Barbara, Heather, June, India, and Jeanne thank you for guiding me through this PhD process. I’ve learned so much from all of you and I’m thankful for your time and dedication.
And thank you to all the Health Services program, students, faculty, and staff. I feel privileged to have gotten the opportunity to work and learn from you all!”
Dr. Erica Chavez Santos
Chavez Santos is an occupational health equity researcher at the WA State Labor & Industries Work Equity Research Center. Through her research, she aims to create more equitable labor laws and policies that will improve safety and health for underserved workers in Washington state.
Dr. Barbara Baquero described her as disciplined, curious, positive, a proud Latina, and always smiling. “She is committed to her family and their lived experiences, which informs and fuels her commitment to research in Public Health to protect, promote, and advocate for health equity and justice for agricultural workers.
“Érica’s dissertation brought together her training in occupational health services, her curiosity in Public Health Law and legal epidemiology, and her commitment to community-engaged participatory research. This is the beginning of a successful and fulfilling career that I can’t wait to watch and cheer for.”
Anna Localio
Dissertation: Impact of Universal Free School Meals on Child Blood Pressure
Committee Members: Jesse Jones-Smith, PhD (chair), Melissa Knox, PhD, Paul Hebert, PhD, and Jennifer Sonney, PhD
“I wouldn’t have made it this far without all of the incredibly supportive people in my life. First, thank you to my wonderful dissertation chair and mentor, Jesse Jones-Smith, for all of the opportunities you’ve given me, most importantly the opportunity to train with and learn from you over the last three years. Thank you to the other members of my dissertation committee, Melissa Knox, Paul Hebert, and Jennifer Sonney, for your time and dedication to supporting me through each step of the dissertation process and pushing me to grow as a researcher.
Thank you also to Anirban Basu and Tom Lindman, with whom it’s been a privilege to work alongside and learn from over the last three years. Thank you to Emily Williams for your leadership, mentorship, and support over the last five years. Thank you to Emily Bernet for all of the logistical support throughout the course of the program, especially during the challenges that came with the pandemic. Thank you to my classmates in the program, in particular to my cohort: Ammarah, Carolyn, Maddie and Shanise. I’m so grateful to have gone through this experience alongside you.
Finally, thank you to my wonderful friends and most importantly, to my family – you’re my biggest supporters, and I’ve only made it here because of you. Thank you for your endless love and support.”
Dr. Anna Localio
Localio’s research focuses on evaluating nutrition-related social safety net policies and their impacts on health and health disparities. She works as a research assistant at the University of Washington for Dr. Jesse Jones-Smith, who served as her dissertation chair.
“Anna’s ability to take the lead, learn advanced econometric methods, and to communicate her results is truly remarkable” said Dr. Jones-Smith. “In her dissertation work, she really challenged herself to figure out an empirical approach for what turned out to be super unexpectedly complicated and messy data. I have no doubt she will continue to do important, policy-relevant work to improve public health and that she will absolutely shine like the star she is in everything that lies ahead.”
Shanise Owens
Dissertation: Understanding the role of structural racism on social determinants of health and its impact on obesity outcomes
Committee Members: Jesse Jones-Smith, PhD (chair), Anjum Hajat, PhD, Edmund Seto, PhD, Paul Fishman, PhD, & Ahoua Koné, JD
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my committee members. Each of you—Paul Fishman, Anjum Hajat, Edmund Seto, and Ahoua Koné—played a pivotal role in the development and completion of my research. Your contributions have been instrumental to my growth as a researcher. I am particularly grateful to my chair and advisor, Jesse Jones-Smith, for guiding me through the arduous process of completing my dissertation. Your support and encouragement, especially during moments of doubt, were invaluable. Additionally, I want to express my deep appreciation to Emily Williams for her knowledge and guidance, which was crucial during the development of my committee and proposal.
To my cohort, The Fab 5: you all are truly the best. I am grateful to have had you by my side throughout this journey. Thank you for accepting and embracing me for who I am.
Finally, to my family, mentors, and the multitude of friends who have supported me throughout this process: I can never fully repay your patience and kindness.”
Dr. Shanise Owens
Owens has focused her research on addressing racial and ethnic health disparities, and now works as a clinical research scientist as Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Jones-Smith shared that she is proud of the work Owens has done for her dissertation, “She pushed boundaries and crossed disciplines to conduct a seriously important, innovative, and creative body of work that investigates some of the lasting impacts of structural racism.
“She figured out how to use advanced methods in innovative ways to answer important, policy-relevant questions in the field. I have been continually impressed with her intelligence, creativity, commitment, problem-solving abilities, and resourcefulness. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”
While doctoral candidates in the Health Services PhD program, Mahmud and Localio both pursued the Evaluative Sciences and Statistics area of emphasis and were supported by the AHRQ/NRSA Health Services Research training grant. Chavez Santos and Owens pursued the Occupational Health area of emphasis and received support from the Occupational Health Services Research training grant. Additionally, Owens received the HSPOP department’s Health Systems Excellence, Equity, and Distinction (HSEED) Award.