The Institute for Public Health is pleased to announce that Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD, has joined the team as co-director of the Center for Community Health Partnership and Research. Dr. Thompson will join Drs. Angela Brown and Jane Garbutt as co-directors of the center.
Dr. Thompson is a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, in the Brown School, Public Health and Social Work Programs. Her research focuses on racial identity and the psychosocial implications of race and culture for utilization of mental services and health promotion, as well as health disparities among ethnic minorities. She has completed funded research in a number of areas related to minority health and mental health, including research identifying key variables in African-American adherence to colorectal screening, the effectiveness of culturally appropriate publications among African-Americans, cultural competence in the provision of mental health services and experiences of discrimination among users of Consumer Operated Services Programs.
Dr. Thompson has a history of success with community-academic partnerships in research and practice. Included in this is her involvement with the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at the Siteman Cancer Center. Dr. Thompson is a member of PECaD’s Disparities Awareness Advisory Committee, Leadership Team and currently leads the Community Research Fellows Training Program.
Dr. Thompson received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and social relations from Harvard University and her master’s and doctorate in psychology from Duke University, where she also completed her clinical training program. Dr. Thompson is a licensed psychologist and health service provider in the state of Missouri.
Dr. Thompson is a Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, in the Brown School, Public Health and Social Work Programs. Her research focuses on racial identity and the psychosocial implications of race and culture for utilization of mental services and health promotion, as well as health disparities among ethnic minorities. She has completed funded research in a number of areas related to minority health and mental health, including research identifying key variables in African-American adherence to colorectal screening, the effectiveness of culturally appropriate publications among African-Americans, cultural competence in the provision of mental health services and experiences of discrimination among users of Consumer Operated Services Programs.