Our Team

The AAMC Center for Health Justice is a multidisciplinary team of advocates for health equity from across the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and representing its four mission areas to improve the health of all through medical education, health care, research, and community collaborations. Learn more about who we are and what we do.

Director Team

(In alphabetical order)

Philip M. Alberti, PhD, Founding Director

Philip founded the AAMC Center for Health Justice as the natural next step in a career focused on eliminating inequities in health and health care.

Carla S. Alvarado, PhD, MPH, Director of Research

Carla leads the center's research portfolio to inform policies and action that address health inequities.

Jennifer Bretsch, MS, Director of Programs

Jennifer is driven by a passion for health equity and justice and serves as the director of programs for the AAMC Center for Health Justice.

Daria C. Grayer, MA, JD, Director of Policy

Daria is committed to advancing health justice through regulations and policies that redress health inequities.

Phylicia N. McCalla, DrPH, MPH, Director of Operations

Phylicia is a public health leader for protecting and promoting the health of people and communities.

Communications Team

Brooke Bergen

Brooke co-leads communications strategy and media activities for the center, with a focus on trustworthiness and maternal health.

Operations Team

Elva Arias

Elva provides administrative support to the center and is committed to promoting equal opportunities in health for all communities.

Ariana Gordon-Azodeh

Ariana oversees the social media presence of the center for a healthy future.

Sarah Piepenbrink

Sarah supports the center and its multisector partners with communications about actionable health justice news, opportunities, resources, and stories.

Policy Team

Anthony Nicome, MHS

Anthony brings his background in community engagement as the center's inaugural Environmental Justice Fellow.

Heather H. Pierce, JD, MPH

Heather joined the AAMC Center for Health Justice to promote health equity and health justice through federal regulations and national and local policymaking.

Phoebe Ramsey, JD

Phoebe believes we can — and should — use law and policy as tools to promote health justice and improve the well-being of people and communities.

Programs Team

Affrille Degoma, MHA

Aff's cross-industry experience and global perspective helps drive progress as a project manager in the evaluation of the Principles of Trustworthiness Toolkit.

Brooke Kelly, MS

Brooke is committed to using her expertise to effect positive change. She serves as a project manager for the Health Equity Inventory enhancement project.

Alexandria Middleton, MPH

Alexandria manages the AAMC CHARGE and Multisector Partner Group communities and advocates for community empowerment.

Research Team

Izabelle Mendez, MS

Izzy is a researcher with expertise in racial and ethnic health inequities, food insecurity, epidemiology, and health equity.

Dallas A. Peoples, PhD, MS

Dallas contributes to the center’s research strategy implementation, with a commitment to improve maternal health equity and reproductive justice.