Service & Consulting
My service and consulting have focused on and achieved critical advances in public health and health equity. Childbirth, the vitality of rural communities, and a commitment to equity are cornerstones of public health, from international to local levels, and I am proud to make contributions that have impacted each of these, through policy change, investments in community, academic service, and consulting work.
Bridging the gap between academia and policy has been central to my career. I have published my research (over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts) in major journals such as Science, N Engl J Med, JAMA, Health Affairs, American Journal of Public Health, and Medical Care, and my work has been widely cited (over 15,000 citations). Feature stories in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, National Public Radio, Washington Post, and others have amplified my research findings and placed them in the context of community voices, elevating our work to the forefront of policy agendas. Following my research and recommendations, new state and federal laws have allocated resources to improve access to evidence-based services for pregnant women, infants, and families.
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My research has informed multiple landmark federal and state laws in the United States, including the Rural MOMS Act (enhancing the maternity care infrastructure andworkforce in rural areas), the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act (designatingmaternity care shortage areas in the US), and the extension of Medicaid coverage forpostpartum individuals in nearly all US states. This legislation has expanded healthcare access for rural residents nationwide, ensuring that maternity care is more accessible and equitable. In 2020, I was awarded the Heinz Award in Public Policy, recognizing exceptional contributions that have measurably improved people’s lives. I received the Hero in Health National Impact Award (National Indian Health Board) in 2023, and in 2025, I was selected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
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I engage in consulting work with community and government organizations, researchers, businesses, and others through Zaagaate Consulting, LLC. Zaagaate means “the sun comes out” in the Ojibwe language.