Maisha N. Standifer, Ph.D., MPH, is the director of population health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. In her role, Dr. Standifer conducts population-based health studies and administers evidence-based prevention initiatives that effectively employ tailored strategies to reduce adverse health outcomes throughout under-resourced, racial, ethnic, and medically vulnerable populations.

Dr. Standifer is a community-based engaged researcher who has extensive training and project implementation expertise in reducing cancer disparities, substance abuse, sexual health, and transmission of HIV in marginalized populations at high risk for traumatic stress and health equity. She also serves as an assistant professor, principal investigator, and co-investigator on multiple private, sponsored, and federally funded studies.

Dr. Standifer’s public health expertise spans health program administration, evaluation, implantation and dissemination, health policy development and analysis, mixed methods research, and examining drivers of social and political determinations of health. Her research portfolio includes implementation science and health services research, along with community-based participatory research to create culturally tailored solutions that empower disenfranchised populations to make healthy and informative decisions.

Dr. Standifer holds a Doctorate in applied anthropology with a convention in medical anthropology from the University of South Florida, a Master’s in public health from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and a Bachelor’s in sociology from Spelman College.

Jareese Stroud, MPH is a Public Health practitioner with over 20 years in implementing national educational programs and policies to improve marginalized communities. As the Project Director  at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI), she provides direction, oversight and support for SHLI’s End the Epidemic initiative (EHE). EHE addresses the structural barriers in HIV care impacting Black communities in the Southern United States. Specifically, this project focuses on mitigating the negative health outcomes affecting people living with HIV (PLWHA) in Atlanta,  Georgia, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  

In addition, Jareese concentrates her research expertise in SHLI’s core areas to include political determinants of health, health system transformation, and mental and behavioral health. Within these sectors, she examines the impact of systemic oppression and challenges minority populations encounter, as a result of not being able to obtain equitable opportunities. Employing the PDOH framework and Community-Based Participatory Research approach, Jareese is able to convene community members and key decision makers to develop strategies for improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. She embodies the SHLI vision to be the leading transformative force for health equity. As public health issues become more complex, Jareese is committed to training diverse leaders to apply innovative/novel approaches in addressing emerging challenges. 

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Jareese has lived in Atlanta, Georgia for over 23 years. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Morris Brown College and a Master of Public  Health from the University of New England. She has enjoyed developing her professional repertoire at MSM for over 20 years, where she remains actively engaged in building pathways of success for vulnerable communities to not only survive but thrive.

Evan Martin, LMSW, serves as Project Manager for Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) and the EHE initiative. Evan has nearly a decade of experience in direct clinical care, especially mental health provision, and public health management.

Prior to SHLI, Evan worked as a Senior Research Program Coordinator for the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In this role, he directed logistical implementation and support for the VALUE Baltimore COVAX Education Project—a major COVID-19 vaccine engagement initiative led by Johns Hopkins and Morgan State University on behalf of Baltimore City—during the COVID-19 pandemic’s most acute phase. He has concurrently served—and continues to serve—as a Community Therapist for a behavioral health agency based in Northeast Baltimore that specializes in underserved populations. 

In the past, Evan worked for local government in Baltimore and as a political organizer on a presidential campaign in New Hampshire.  In his career, Evan has committed to fusing clinical and public health experiences to direct major changes in health access for underprivileged communities at both the macro level of systematic change, and the micro level of individual empowerment. 

Evan is a Licensed Social Worker, earning his bachelor’s degree at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and his master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. During his studies, he was also a Social Work Healthcare Education and Leadership (HEALS) Scholar.