Brisa Urquieta Hernandez
About Brisa Urquieta Hernandez
Brisa Urquieta Hernandez serves as the System Director of Operations at the Lloyd H. Dean Institute for Humankindness & Health Justice. Her extensive background includes roles in community health, research, and education, with a focus on health equity and addressing health disparities for marginalized populations.
Current Role at CommonSpirit Health
Brisa Urquieta Hernandez serves as the System Director of Operations at the Lloyd H. Dean Institute for Humankindness & Health Justice within CommonSpirit Health. In this role, she focuses on integrating clinical, community, and academic spaces to promote health equity and support thriving communities. Her work emphasizes the importance of health determinants beyond traditional social factors.
Previous Experience in Healthcare
Prior to her current position, Brisa held various roles in healthcare organizations. She worked at CommonSpirit Health as the System Director of Population Health Engagement and Partnerships from 2020 to 2023. Her experience also includes positions at Atrium Health, where she served as Director of Community Health and Senior Management Associate, among others. Additionally, she worked at Carolinas HealthCare System in multiple capacities, including Project Manager and Research Coordinator.
Educational Background
Brisa Urquieta Hernandez earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she studied from 2012 to 2020. She also holds a Bachelor of University Studies from The University of New Mexico, which she completed from 1998 to 2002. Her educational background supports her research interests in health disparities and the intersection of various health indicators.
Community Involvement and Research Interests
Brisa is actively involved in community development and the science of kindness within healthcare operations and research. Her research interests focus on the intersection of structural, spatial, and temporal indicators of health, particularly concerning marginalized populations. She engages in qualitative methods and implementation science to address health disparities and chronic disease interventions.
Board Memberships and Adjunct Positions
Brisa serves on the board of UrbanPromise Charlotte since 2021, contributing to community initiatives in the Charlotte Metro area. She also holds adjunct assistant professor positions at Baylor College of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine, both of which she began in 2022. These roles allow her to influence future healthcare professionals and advocate for health equity.