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The AAMC Center for Health Justice is a multidisciplinary team of advocates for health equity from across the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and representing its four mission areas to improve the health of all through medical education, health care, research, and community collaborations. Learn more about who we are and what we do.

Director Team

(In alphabetical order)

Philip Alberti
Philip founded the AAMC Center for Health Justice as the natural next step in a career focused on eliminating inequities in health and health care.
Carla Alvarado, PhD, MPH
Carla leads the center's research portfolio to inform policies and action that address health inequities.
Jennifer Bretsch
Jennifer is driven by a passion for health equity and justice and serves as the director of programs for the AAMC Center for Health Justice.
Daria Grayer, MA, JD
Daria is committed to advancing health justice through regulations and policies that redress health inequities.
Phylicia N. McCalla, DrPH, MPH
Phylicia is a public health leader for protecting and promoting the health of people and communities.

Communications Team

Brooke Bergen
Brooke Bergen
Brooke co-leads communications strategy and media activities for the center, with a focus on trustworthiness and maternal health.
Victoria Rivas-Vazquez, JD
Victoria Rivas-Vazquez, JD
Victoria directs the overall communications strategy for the center, including the center’s public opinion polling and research.

Operations Team

Elva Arias
Elva Arias
Elva provides administrative support to the center and is committed to promoting equal opportunities in health for all communities.
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Ariana Gordon-Azodeh
Ariana oversees the social media presence of the center for a healthy future.
Headshot of Sarah Piepenbrink
Sarah Piepenbrink
Sarah supports the center and its multisector partners with communications about actionable health justice news, opportunities, resources, and stories.

Policy Team

Erin Hahn, MPH
Erin Hahn, MPH
Erin uses her background in health policy and value-based care to identify mechanisms for health care equity and to promote the use of quality initiatives.
Headshot of Keith Krosinsky
Keith Krosinsky, MA
Keith is the project manager for the center's environmental justice portfolio.
Anthony Nicome, MHS
Anthony Nicome, MHS
Anthony brings his background in community engagement as the center's inaugural Environmental Justice Fellow.
Heather Pierce
Heather H. Pierce, JD, MPH
Heather joined the AAMC Center for Health Justice to promote health equity and health justice through federal regulations and national and local policymaking.
Phoebe Ramsey, JD
Phoebe Ramsey, JD
Phoebe believes we can — and should — use law and policy as tools to promote health justice and improve the well-being of people and communities.

Programs Team

Affrille Degoma, MHA
Affrille Degoma, MHA
Aff's cross-industry experience and global perspective helps drive progress as a project manager in the evaluation of the Principles of Trustworthiness Toolkit.
Photo of Brooke Kelly, MS
Brooke Kelly, MS
Brooke is committed to using her expertise to effect positive change. She serves as a project manager for the Health Equity Inventory enhancement project.
Alexandria Middleton
Alexandria Middleton, MPH
Alexandria manages the AAMC CHARGE and Multisector Partner Group communities and advocates for community empowerment.

Research Team

Izzy Mendez, MS
Izabelle Mendez, MS
Izzy is a researcher with expertise in racial and ethnic health inequities, food insecurity, epidemiology, and health equity.
Kendal Orgera, MPH, MPP
Kendal Orgera, MPH, MPP
Kendal uses data to inform policy discussions surrounding health equity and social determinants of health.
Dallas A. Peoples MS
Dallas A. Peoples, PhD, MS
Dallas contributes to the center’s research strategy implementation, with a commitment to improve maternal health equity and reproductive justice.