Sara W. Heinert, PhD, MPH

Sara Heinert, PhD, MPH is an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. She holds a PhD in Health Policy and Administration from University of Illinois at Chicago and a MPH in Epidemiology from University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. Dr. Heinert has led research endeavors in emergency medicine for the past 11 years. Her research interests lie at the intersection of public health and the emergency department, and specifically focus on social emergency medicine research that is patient-centered and addresses access to care and health disparities. For many patients, the emergency department is their only “touch point” with the health care system and Dr. Heinert is interested in developing innovative methods to screen and educate ED patients on their health conditions and connect them to primary care. Additionally, she is engaged in collaborative work with colleagues and community partners to develop novel health advocacy opportunities for youth in underserved neighborhoods. This work involves youth as teachers of health information as a catalyst for adult healthy behavior change. Her work has resulted in first-author publications in such journals as the American Journal of Public Health, Academic Emergency Medicine, Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, and Health Promotion Practice (HPP).