Recent Graduates

2022

Callahan, Katherine
Do-Not-Resuscitation Orders Among Elderly Patients with Heart Failure (Supervised by Christopher Hollenbeak)
First position after graduation: Senior Quality Management Analyst, in the Quality Management Department at Independence Blue Cross 

Tran, Linh
Three Essays in Health Economics: Understanding the Effects of Health Policies and Insurance Coverage on Cancer Outcomes (Supervised by Joel Segel)
First position after graduation: Consultant, Health Management Associates

2021

Amill-Rosario, Alejandro
Evaluation of Telehealth Utilization and Spending for Mental Health Care
(Supervised by Joel Segel) 
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Department, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Naz, Saman
Essays on Birth Spacing and Fertility in South Asia
(Supervised by Yubraj Acharya)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine

Ramian, Haleh
Health Policies and Patient Outcomes in the Era of Value-Based Healthcare
(Supervised by Joel Segel) 
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

2020

Johannes, Bobbie
The effect of patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) on rural population health
(Supervised by Dr. Selena Ortiz)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, Population Studies Center, University of Michigan

Kalidindi, Yamini
Lung Cancer: Impact of hospice on healthcare costs and utilization.
(Supervised by Jeah Jung) 
First position after graduation: Associate (Remote) at The Moran Company, Arlington, VA

2018

Campbell, Angela
Marriage and health: Questions of selection and casuality.
(Supervised by Patricia Miranda-Hartsuff)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine

Pitcavage, Jim
Evaluating a behavioral health integration pilot in primary care clinics using mixed methods.
(Supervised by Caprice Knapp)
First position After graduation: Geisinger Health System

2017

Abiero, Beatrice
A multilevel approach in identifying determinants of internal migration and variability in migrant health.
(Supervised by Rhonda BeLue)
First position After Graduation: Associate Research Scientist, Ipsos Public Affairs, Washington, DC

Elewonibi, Bilikisu (Reni)
A socioecological view of attitudes and perceptions towards uptake of breast cancer screening in multicultural populations.
(Supervised by Rhonda BeLue)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA

Fuentes Caceres, Veronica
Vendor strategies, EHR capabilities, and patient experience: An analysis in the hosptial setting.
(Supervised by Yunfeng Shi)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Management Control and Information System, School of Business, University of Chile

Holmes, Katelyn
Aging in the land of youth: An examination of aging in Brazil.
(Supervised by Marianne Hillemeier)
First position after graduation: Enterprise Resource Performance Inc. (ERPi)

Zewde, Naomi
A micro-simulation study of the individual welfare effects of the Affordable Care Act for previously uninsured adults
(Supervised by Pamela Short)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University School of Social Work

2016

Bediako, Phylicia
Multiple perspectives on adolescent risk behavior in South Africa
(Supervised by Rhonda BeLue)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL

Bhandari, Neeraj
Awareness and use of comparative quality information: Impact of dissemination of quality "report cards".
(Supervised by Dennis Scanlon)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Health Care Administration and Policy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

“The Penn State HPA Department features a pretty unique mélange of distinguished faculty with diverse areas of expertise and a nurturing culture of interdisciplinary collaboration. As an international student with little prior experience of academic culture in the United States, I felt supported and encouraged throughout my time in the program. I could not have asked for a better place to build skills for a successful career in health policy.”
-- Neeraj Bhandari, Assistant Professor, Department of Health Care Administration and Policy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Bleser, Will
Better understanding influenza vaccination in U.S. children: Determinants, family impact, and policy
(Supervised by Patricia Miranda)
First position after graduation: Research Associate, Health Care Delivery and Reform, Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University

“For me, Penn State's PhD program in Health Policy and Administration allowed me to find a balance between independence and guidance. It allowed me to find an advisor who trusted me to get things done and gave me space to think through research questions and problems first, but then helped me more fully think through the issues I ran into and how to frame findings. Further, the Department found a way to maximize the benefits of both large and small departments - it was large enough to consistently provide resources to support my research travel endeavors and to provide a nice work space and research infrastructure while also being small enough to offer individual attention and an open door policy, to allow me to develop a sound research identity without getting lost in the crowd.”
-- Will Bleser, Research Associate, Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University

Lim, Dooyoung
The effects of Medicare Part D on non-proper use of prescription drugs in elderly Medicare beneficiaries
(Supervised by Jeah Jung)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Des Moines University

2015

Louis, Christopher
Essays on the organization and delivery of cancer care.
(Supervised by Jonathan Clark)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy & Management, Boston University

O'Hora, Jennifer
Understanding the role of organizational culture in organizational change: The case of the patient-centered medical home implementation.
(Supervised by Jessica Mittler)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA Center for Health Services and Society

Silvera, Geoffrey
Interpersonal care experiences: Specification and antecedents.
(Supervised by Jonathan Clark and Naleef Fareed)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Auburn University

Verevkina, Nina L.
Breast cancer: Patterns of care and outcomes.
(Supervised by Pamela Short)
First position after graduation: Data Manager at DF/NET Research Inc.

2014

Harvey, Jillian B.
Evaluating community level approaches to improving health care outcomes.
(Supervised by Dennis Scanlon)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina

La, Nhan, T.
Weight-related behaviors among U.S. adolescents: A social network approach.
(Supervised by Marianne Hillemeier)
First position after graduation: Research Fellow, Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit, University of Melbourne

Nam, Young Hee
Prescription drug policies and health care: Studies on medicare part D program, state prescription drug monitoring programs, and off-label prescribing practices.
(Supervised by Dennis Shea)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Medical School

Uberoi, Namrata K.
Health insurance trajectories following unemployment: Implications for implementation and evaluation of the Affordable Care Act.
(Supervised by Pamela Short)
First position after graduation: Analyst in Healthcare Financing Congressional Research Service

2013

Towers, Tyler J.
An examination of cyclical isomorphism and the micro-effects of hospital accreditation.
(Supervised by Jonathan Clark)
First position after graduation: Researcher, Center for Naval Analysis, Alexandria, VA

Yao, Nengliang
Radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.
(Supervised by Marianne Hillemeier)
First position after graduation: Instructor, Healthcare Policy and Research, Virginia Commonwealth University

2012

Martsolf, Grant R.
Creation and evaluation of composite measures of physician practice quality using aggregated health insurance claims.
(Supervised by Dennis Scanlon)
First position after graduationn: Senior Manager, Program Evaluation, UPMC Health Plan
"The PhD program at Penn State has prepared me well to be a topflight health services researcher. The methodological training during the coursework is excellent, and the practical education gained through interaction with world-class faculty has been invaluable. I am sure that my time at Penn State will serve as the foundation for a meaningful and productive research career."
-- Grant Martsolf, Associate Health Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation

2011

Kim, Jungyoon
Organizational structure and change process outcomes in facility-based and home-based long-term care.
(Supervised by Diane Brannon)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Research & Administration, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health

2010

Setia, Monika
Caring for the aging baby boomers: An assessment of the separation behavior of direct care workers in long term care.
(Supervised by Peter Kemper)
First position after graduation: Research Fellow, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School

Markowski, Michael P.
Three essays on cancer survivorship and labor supply.
(Supervised by Pamela F. Short)
First position after graduation: Economics, Accounting, Business/Economic Statistics and Research Methods at World Campus, Immaculata University, and Delaware County Community College

Ganesh, Chandrakala
The diffusion of prescription drugs for Alzheimer's disease among medicare beneficiaries.
(Supervised by Dennis G. Shea)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California at Berkeley

2009

Lee, Woolton
Health maintenance organizations, clinical quality measurement, and market competition: Demand and supply incentives for quality improvement.
(Supervised by Dennis P. Scanlon)
First position after graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow in Health Economics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Stott, Amy L.
Improving long-term care management practices and direct care worker organizational commitment.
(Supervised by Diane Brannon)
First position after graduation: Instructor, Department of Health Policy and Administration

2008

Calkins, Christopher
The influence of community context on health plan decisions: A multi-method assessment of community effects.
(Supervised by Joe Vasey)
First position after graduation: Clinical Liaison Officer, Penn State Hershey Medical Center

Meret-Hanke, Louise
The effects of the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) on hospital and nursing home use.
(Supervised by Peter Kemper)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy, Saint Louis University.

2007

Bai, Yu
Maltreated children with mental health needs: Does coordination between child welfare agencies and mental health providers improve their outcomes?
(Supervised by Marianne Hillemeier and Rebecca Wells)
First position after graduation: Visiting Scholar, Maternal & Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Beauvais, Bradley
Does money really matter: The effects of organizational finances on quality of health care.
(Supervised by Rebecca Wells)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor, U.S. Army Baylor Program in Health & Business Administration

2006

Josiah, M. Robina
Evaluating the determinants of a successful organ donor process in a multi-hospital system.
(Supervised by Karl McCleary)
First position after graduation: Baylor Health Care System

Oluwole, (Tok's) Adetokunbo
The effect of the state children's health insurance program on health insurance transitions among low-income U.S. children: A multilevel approach.
(Supervised by Dennis G. Shea)
First position after graduationn: Assistant Professor, Martin School of Public Policy, University of Kentucky

Taylor, Jessica
Predictors and outcomes of continuity of psychotropic treatment among medicaid children.
(Supervised by E. Michael Foster)
First position after graduation: Analyst, Westat

2005

Rumberger, Jill
Is there a strategic and financial business case for telehealth in home health agencies.
(Supervised by Kathryn Dansky)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor of Health Care Management, Penn State

Beich, Jeff
Evaluating diabetes disease management and quality improvement programs in managed care organizations.
(Supervised by Dennis Scanlon)
First position after graduation: Independent Consultant

Garcia, Chris
Community health center inter-organizational relationships.
(Supervised by Rebecca Wells)
First position after graduation: Assistant Professor and Navy-Coast Guard Deputy Program Director, Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Health Administration

Gifford, Beth
Applying multilevel models to health services research for children with mental health problems.
(Supervised by E. Michael Foster)
First position after graduation: Research Scientist, The Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University

Yant, Brye
Impact of telehealth on job satisfaction of nurses and organization performance of home health agencies.
(Supervised by Kathryn Dansky)
First position after graduation: Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania and the Veterans Administration

2004

Pringle, Kristine
TREAT 'EM: Triangulation, risk, and the economics of alcoholism and treatment among elders in medicare.
(Supervised by Dennis G. Shea)
First position after graduation: Research Specialist, First Health/PACE

2003

Tunceli, Kaan
A structural model of the effect of retiree health insurance on early retirement.
(Supervised by Pamela Farley Short)
First position after graduation: Henry Ford Health System

Qaseem, Amir
The impact of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 on the supply of subacute care services by nursing homes: A longitudinal analysis of industry response.
(Supervised by Robert Weech-Maldonado)
First position after graduation: Clinical epidemiology, American College of Physicians

Nag, Soma
The analysis of consultation as a practice pattern.
(Supervised by Dennis G. Shea)
First position after graduation: Senior Manager, Outcomes Research and Management, Merck

Powell, Melanie Paige
Complement and substitute effects of prescription drug insurance on medicaid covered services.
(Supervised by Dennis G. Shea)
First position after graduation: Research Associate, University of South Carolina