About Us
We’re an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Children’s Mercy Hospital and the University of Missouri, Kansas City interested in studying and developing real-world approaches to improving population health.
Jannette Berkley-Patton, PhD, Project Co-Leader
Jannette Berkley-Patton is a professor in the UMKC School of Medicine. She direct the UMKC Healthy Equity Institute and the Community Health Research Group, and lead community-based research to reduce health disparities in urban Kansas City, my hometown. Her research (COVID-19, HIV, diabetes, mental health, Alzheimer’s disease) brings together researchers, students, and community partners to implement and examine novel, large-scale health programs and policies that can improve health with underserved communities. Along with her three girls, she has the cutest labradoodle, Simba.
Jordan Carlson, PhD, Project Co-Leader
Jordan lives in KCMO and has worked at Children’s Mercy Hospital for the past 8 years. As a Public Health Epidemiologist, he regularly applies for federal grants to support the health of KCMO communities. He wants all KCMO communities to be places where healthy options are the easiest, safest, and most affordable options, and where all residents live long and healthy lives. He enjoys walking, hiking, and biking around town and experiencing all that KCMO has to offer.
Amanda Grimes, PhD, MCHES
Amanda Grimes is an Assistant Professor in UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion. In her free time she loves biking around the city.
Joey Lightner, PhD, MPH
Joey Lightner is an Assistant Professor in UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies. He tried to help people have fun while being active. Joey like to spend time with is dog Watson in the mountains, and other activities like surfing, kiteboarding, rock climbing, and skydiving.
Betty M. Drees, MD, FACP, FACE
Betty M. Drees is an endocrinologist and professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and University Health in Kansas City, MO. She is the past Dean of the medical school and continues to teach medical students, residents, and fellows in endocrinology. Her research interest is in metabolic health and diabetes prevention, especially how lifestyle changes can improve health outcomes. She enjoys family time and being outdoors as much as possible.
Carole Bowe-Thompson
Carole Bowe Thompson is the Project Director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Community Health Research Group (CHRG) and the Health Equity Institute (HEI). Her passion is creating and implementing community health research projects that foster collaboration and have a positive and sustainable community impact. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her grandchildren, traveling, and taking long brisk morning walks.
Mallory Moon, MPH
Mallory is always ready to talk about how to better support community health and promoting physical activity. In her spare time, she enjoys running, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and growing fruits and vegetables in the CM Community Garden.
Ryan Trickey
Ryan is a research coordinator at University Health whose background is in behavioral health and serving members of vulnerable populations. He’s a KC native, loves the outdoors, and enjoys sitting on his front balcony with his cat.
Kacee Ross
Kacee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Avila University. Her research interest include health equity, health promotion and community engagement. When she is not actively working on research projects, in her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching movies.
Justin Mpanga
Justin is a Master’s student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine whose background is in data science. He enjoys using big data to answer research questions and/or hypotheses. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and reading poems and novels, spending time with God, family and friends, and watching and playing soccer.
