Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, Equity in Health Policy and Management
The Department of Health Policy and Management is committed to building a diverse, inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and other members of our community can thrive.
The work of faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Health Policy and Management often focuses on the intersection of racism and other forms of discrimination, health disparities and inequities, which impact policies at the forefront of national discussions. Our goal is for all students, faculty, and staff in the department to understand the wide spectrum of human diversity and be the adequately equipped to advocate for policies and practices that advance equity, and inclusion. We are strengthened by our diverse community and understand the critical need for different perspectives and a genuine understanding of our many differences across race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, and religion, among others.
To oversee the advancement and realization of inclusion, diversity, anti-racism, and equity (IDARE) in all Department activities, we have formed a committee, co-chaired by Michelle Spencer, MS, associate scientist in Health Policy and Management and associate director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative and Kate Sam, senior director of communications and marketing in Health Policy and Management.
The Department’s IDARE activities are in line with the School’s strategic plan, which prioritizes cultivating a diverse, inclusive and nurturing environment where all students, faculty and staff can thrive.
- Organizing events and programs that encourage dialogue and connection within our community.
- Seeking training opportunities to foster our community's awareness of IDARE issues and strategies.
- Conducting surveys to understand the diverse needs of our community.
- Showcasing the rich diversity of our community through storytelling and research dissemination.
- Working across departments and at the school level to support policies and programs that advance IDARE.
Contact Us
We have created a secure email for HPM faculty, staff, and students to confidentially submit feedback, raise any issue or concern, report an issue, share ideas for activities and training, or submit general inquiries related to IDARE.
HPM IDARE Committee Members
Michelle Spencer, MS
Associate Director, Bloomberg American Health Initiative
IDARE Committee Co-Chair
Michelle Spencer works to ensure the principles of IDARE are reflected in education, policy, research, practice, and programming. She leverages the expertise and experiences of colleagues to ensure the representation of all voices while agitating structures that perpetuate inequities.
Kate Sam
IDARE Committee Co-Chair
Kate previously worked at community-based nonprofits across Baltimore City and believes strongly that community-led solutions alongside structural policy change is critical to making our world healthier and more equitable. In her role in the Department of Health Policy & Management, Kate is committed to telling stories that convey the rich diversity of the Department of Health Policy & Management's faculty, staff, students and impact.
Karen Charron, MPH
Karen Charron is interested in IDARE around health equity and working within the department to advance IDARE principles in student recruitment and curriculum.
Christine Weston, PhD
Christine is devoted to inclusion, diversity, anti-racism, and equity across all aspects of the academic environment. She has a special interest in the importance of IDARE practices in supporting the academic careers of underrepresented faculty.
Hossein Zare, PhD
Hossein Zare is an expert regarding policy evaluation and measuring racial/ethnic and economic health inequalities, police violence, and neighborhood and place-based disparities in policing and health outcomes.
Nikki Ucheya, BA
Nikki believes in the importance of promoting IDARE values and hopes to use her marketing and social skills to advance those values in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
MJ Wu, MS
MJ Wu is a research data analyst who primarily works for the Roger and Flo Lipitz Center to Advance Policy in Aging and Disability and the Hopkins Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Services Center. He believes diversity and equity are critical components of progress and need to start with what we do every day. In his words, "We have to set an example of doing what is just in the face of overwhelming pressure to be indifferent."
Safiya Sannoh, BA
Safia joined the HPM IDARE Committee to support efforts that advance equity, inclusion, and anti-racism within health policy and healthcare systems. She currently serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair for the Master of Health Administration (MHA) Student Association, where she helps lead programming that promotes belonging and representation within the MHA program. Her academic and professional interests focus on how organizational and operational decisions influence equitable access, quality, and outcomes, and she is excited to contribute to the collaborative, action-oriented work of the IDARE committee.
Nandita Somayaji, MEd, MHS
