Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Betty is a nationally recognized public health systems and practice-based researcher with a particular focus on the structures and practices of state and local health departments in relation to health outcomes and reducing disparities. Much of her research and leadership in advancing public health systems has been conducted through state Public Health Practice-based Research Networks (PBRN), working directly with public health leaders to provide the evidence needed to most effectively and equitably promote health in communities. She is PI of the Public Health Activities & Services Tracking (PHAST) Study, an ongoing multi-state study to generate data and evidence for examining the health outcomes associated with public health services and systems. Several of her studies and publications have focused specifically on the nature of and changes to the local public health workforce and often with a focus on public health nurses. Betty is also a national public health nursing leader, having served in significant national positions of public health and public health nursing leadership.