Center for Health Care Research & Policy

Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine

Dual Degree Program (MD-PhD) in Medicine & Health Services Research: Students in 2002-2003

David Barzilai, B.A., B.S. E-Mail: dxb69@po.cwru.edu Background David joined the MD-PhD Program in 1998 after graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Rochester, with a B.A. in Health and Society and a B.S. in Cell and Developmental Biology. In his first two years, David was involved in two research projects: the first, using data on a large cohort of patients in primary care practices in Northeast Ohio to examine the relationship between behavioral health counseling by family physicians and patient satisfaction; and the second, using WWW survey methods to examine study patterns and outcomes among his peers in medical school. Research Interest(s) David's primary research interests are in the application of health services research methods to the study of dermatological disease; focusing on cost, quality, and outcome research in malignant melanoma.
Joshua Howland Sarver, A.B. E-Mail: sarver@po.cwru.edu Web Site: http://www.tamayo-sarver.com Background Josh joined the MD-PhD program after receiving an A.B. cum laude in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University (1998). In collaboration with DDP program faculty, he has authored papers and presented abstracts at national meetings on the effect of language barriers on follow-up visits after an ED visit and financial barriers to medication use among the elderly. He also has presented abstracts at national meetings on factors associated with ED use among people with a usual source of care, and a comparison of ED use between people reporting different "usual" sources of care. In 2002, Josh was awarded a doctoral dissertation award from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) to conduct a nationwide survey of race-related decision making in ED's. He currently serves on the American College of Emergency Physician's Committee for Continuing Education. Research Interest(s) His research interests include aspects of the Emergency Department (physician decision making, utilization, and financing) and Latino health (health specific acculturation, health seeking behavior, and language barriers).
Britt Conroy, J.D., M.S. E-Mail: bxc41@po.cwru.edu Background Britt joined the Dual Degree (M.D.-Ph.D.) Program in 1999 after completing an M.S. in Environmental Sciences (from University of California at Riverside), a J.D. (from Southern Illinois University Law School) and working as a Policy Analyst at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, in the Office of Minority Health (OMH). While at OMH, she served as a member of a working group that received the HHS Secretary's Award. Britt, an American Indian, is a recipient of a Native Investigator Scholars Award (2000-2002) through the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Native Elder Research Center. As part of the Native Investigator Scholars Program, Britt is working with DDP and University of Colorado faculty, using the Strong Heart Study (a longitudinal study investigating cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors among American Indians) to study quality of CVD care for American Indians who have had acute myocardial infarctions. Research Interest(s) By improving health data pertaining to the health and health care of American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Britt aspires to enhance the ability of the Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments to respond to AI/AN health care needs and help eliminate AI/AN health disparities.
Alexander C. Tsai, M.A. E-Mail: act2 [at] case [dot] edu Web Site: http://home.cwru.edu/~act2 Background Alexander joined the MD-PhD program after receiving his MA from the University of Toronto and his AB from Harvard University, both in Economics. Past experience includes working as a Case Writer at the Harvard Business School; interning for the Rockfeller Foundation, Division of Health Equity; and participating in the RAND Graduate Student Summer Associate Program. Research Interest(s) His primary research interest is in improving care for persons with chronic illnesses. Because many chronic conditions are managed with the use of prescription drugs, he is also interested in studying physician prescribing behavior and the ethics of pharmaceutical promotion. Alex's dissertation focuses on using the method of instrumental variables to construct unbiased estimates of quality.
Jessica Carmelita Diggs, B.S. E-Mail: jcd11@po.cwru.edu Background Jessica joined the MD-PhD program in 2001 after graduating summa cum laude from Carlow College in Pittsburgh. While at Carlow, Jessica received several honors including the Joseph Smith Award for outstanding senior in service and scholarship. Following graduation, Jessica joined the first class of the NIH Academy, a postbacculareate training program at the National Institutes of Health dedicated to the elimination of domestic health disparities. Research Interest(s) Jessica is interested in exploring the economic, social and cultural factors affecting health care access and its relationship to health disparities. Her ultimate goal is to work and conduct research in a community setting - examining, empowering, inspiring, and improving the health of underserved populations through research and quality care.
Lars Peterson, B.S. E-Mail: lep5@po.cwru.edu Background Lars joined the MD-PhD program in 2002 after earning degrees in Anthropology (2002) and Biology (1998) from the University of Utah. For four years he worked in a clinical flow cytometry laboratory, where he also developed a test to aid in the diagnosis of a rare pediatric autoimmune disorder. The test is currently being performed on a regular basis in the laboratory. Lars served as Associate Editor for Utah's Health, a student run journal focusing on health issues within the state of Utah. He also worked with the Utah Department of Health on organizing an interdisciplinary committee of health professionals committed to implementing research findings into practice. Research Interest(s) In the future, he plans to study health services delivery in rural areas, the composition of the health workforce, and medical errors.

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