About
The Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice (HHCJ) Lab is housed within the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute. We conduct research that focuses on the complex drivers of health for people with homelessness and/or criminal justice involvement. Within this context, we study physical health, mental health, and substance use conditions and the overlapping systemic barriers to health, often driven by structural racism.
Our overarching goal is to improve health for people with homelessness or criminal justice involvement in our community, in Minnesota, and across the United States through research and collaboration with a broad coalition of partners.
Mission
To overcome barriers to optimal health and wellness for people experiencing homelessness and criminal justice involvement through research and collaboration.
Vision
Thriving communities without health inequities driven by homelessness or criminal justice involvement.
Values
Integrity - We operate in an ethical manner and conduct our research with respect for the people and communities with which we work. We emphasize excellence, diversity, and lived experience among our staff. We hold ourselves to the highest professional and personal standards and focus on honesty, transparency, and compassion for our staff, research partners, and our community.
Collaboration – We commit to involve communities in the work we do. Communities include people with lived experience of the issues we study, healthcare leaders, regional/state/national policymakers, and academic groups.
Research – We use rigorous methodology to conduct research, evaluation, and quality improvement projects. We root our conclusions and policy recommendations in evidence, including quantitative and qualitative data.
Real-World Application – Our projects are timely and policy relevant and inform the optimal delivery of healthcare, public health, and supportive services for people impacted by homelessness or criminal justice involvement.
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Kate Diaz Vickery, MD, MSc
She/Her
Co-Director and Principal Investigator
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Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc
He/Him
Co-Director and Principal Investigator
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Roland Berg
He/Him
Research Coordinator
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Peter Bodurtha
He/Him
Data Scientist
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Ella Casalenda
She/Her
Senior Research Coordinator
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Michelle Clegg, MPH
She/Her
Project Manager
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Joey Dagher
They/He
Senior Research Coordinator
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Endegena Desta
Data Scientist
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Becky Ford, PhD
She/Her
Research Director
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Moncies Franco
He/Him
Senior Community Engaged Research Coordinator
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Rose Hyson, Ph.D
She/Her
Research Project Manager
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Na'eema Jakes, MBA
She/Her
Project Analyst
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Jessica Jeruzal, MS
She/Her
Operations Director
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Nathaniel Karr
He/They
Data Scientist
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Silvio Kavistan Vega
He/Him
Principal Research Coordinator
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Christopher Lee
Research Scientist 2 Informatics Analyst
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Danny Muldoon
Research Informatics Analyst
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Alyson Rodway, MPH
She/Her
Lab Coordinator
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Renee Van Siclen, MPP
Data Scientist
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Linda Zittleman, MSPH
Researcher