Our Team

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 M. Alberti, PhD, Founding Director

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 S. Alvarado, PhD, MPH, Director of Research

Carla leads the center's research portfolio to inform policies and action that address health inequities.

Jennifer Bretsch, MS, Director of Programs

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.

Phylicia N. McCalla, DrPH, MPH, Director of Operations

Phylicia is a public health leader who is passionate about protecting and promoting the health of people and communities.

Heather H. Pierce, JD, MPH, Director of Policy

Heather joined the AAMC Center for Health Justice to promote health equity and health justice through federal regulations and national and local policymaking.

Operations Team

Elva Arias

Elva provides administrative support to the center and is committed to promoting equal opportunities in health for all communities.

Bronte Beale

Bronte coordinates the center's calendars of health equity funding opportunities, fellowships, and conferences.

Kathryn P. Brand, MA, PCC

Kathryn brings a background in organizational development and facilitation to support the center's strategic planning and operations.

Keith Krosinsky, MA

Keith manages information sharing and collaboration between the AAMC Center for Health Justice and colleagues across the AAMC.

Sarah Piepenbrink

Sarah supports the center and its multisector partners with communications about actionable health justice news, opportunities, resources, and stories.

Policy Team

Daria Grayer, MA, JD

Daria is committed to advancing health justice through regulations and policies that redress health inequities.

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

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.

Ayanna Williams, PMP

Ayanna supports the AAMC cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

Research Team

Stephen Barry

Stephen is an MPH student researching and analyzing maternal health inequities.

Diane M. Cassidy, MLIS

Diane brings her background in librarianship and information sciences to the center’s work on Health Impact Assessment and other projects.

Katherine Ford

Katherine facilitates and coordinates the AAMC CHARGE community and programming for participants.

Ebonie Megibow, MPH

Ebonie serves as health equity research analyst, with a passion for improving the health and well-being of women and families.

Joy Oloyede

Joy is an MPH student serving as the center’s Health Equity Research Intern in support of the center's maternal health equity research and events.

Kendal Orgera, MPH, MPP

Kendal is passionate about using data to inform policy discussions surrounding health equity and social determinants of health.