My area of expertise is conducting ethnographic research in fields known for their interdisciplinarity. After completing my doctoral training in medical anthropology, I expanded my research skills and undertook training in epidemiology and biostatistics, while remaining dedicated to promoting ethnographic research outside my home discipline.

I have led the qualitative component on several multi-site VA, AHRQ, and NIH studies on topics including substance abuse treatment, hypertension, MI and ACS, Tele-ICU, and infection control. Currently, my research focus is infection control and prevention, telemedicine, and implementation science. I am PI on a 10-site VA grant to study optimal hand hygiene bundles, which involves intensive pre- and post-implementation ethnographic research with infection control teams regarding contextual factors.

I also oversee a large Tele-ICU evaluation and implementation project through the VA Office of Rural Health. At the Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), I serve as the Associate Director with a significant portion of my time dedicated to mentoring new investigators at CADRE. I am also the Implementation Specialist for the VA Virtual Specialty Care Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) and a Co-I on the Human-factors Engineering to Prevent Resistant Organisms (HERO) QUERI partnered with the VA National Patient Safety Center and the Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance through Rapid Implementation of Available Guidelines and Evidence (CARRIAGE) QUERI.

I am a member of the NCI Qualitative Research in Implementation Science Workgroup, which recently published guidance in conducting qualitative research in implementation science. 

I am passionate about integrating all stakeholders in the process and accelerating the time it takes for evidence-based practice to reach patients, particularly among rural populations.

I enjoy running my kids around to their various activities, spending quiet time at our cabin in northeast Iowa, and commuting with my spouse.