Nyna Williams
About Nyna Williams
Nyna Williams serves as the Principal Health Researcher at Mathematica, where she has worked since 2008. With a background in health research and academia, she has held various roles, including Division Director at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Assistant Professor at multiple universities.
Work at Mathematica
Nyna Williams has served as Principal Health Researcher at Mathematica since 2008. In this role, she focuses on health-related research initiatives, providing insights that support decision-making in healthcare. Her work emphasizes patient engagement and stakeholder involvement, aiming to enhance transparency and value in health care. Williams has contributed to various projects that align with Mathematica's mission to improve public policy and health outcomes.
Previous Positions in Health Research
Before joining Mathematica, Nyna Williams held several significant positions in health research and academia. She was the Division Director at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2002 to 2008, where she conducted formative consumer research to support CMS communication activities. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Professor at both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Buffalo State College. Williams also served as a Visiting Instructor at the University of Hartford and as Research Director at the University of Connecticut.
Education and Expertise
Nyna Williams earned her PhD in Social Psychology from Columbia University, where she studied from 1983 to 1990. She also holds a BA in Psychology from Yale University, completed between 1977 and 1981. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in health behavior research and patient engagement. Williams has a history of focusing on health equity and social determinants of health, contributing to her thought leadership in these areas.
Contributions to Health Behavior Research
Nyna Williams has made significant contributions to health behavior research, particularly during her time at the Institute for Community Research in Hartford, Connecticut. Her work has involved engaging patients and stakeholders in health-related decisions, emphasizing the importance of consumer involvement in healthcare. Additionally, she co-authored a publication addressing the attitudes of state and community leaders regarding health equity and social determinants of health.
Early Education and Career
Nyna Williams completed her early education at Community School, achieving her diploma in 1977. She began her academic career as a Visiting Instructor at the University of Hartford from 1986 to 1988. Following this, she held positions as Research Director at the University of Connecticut and Assistant Professor at both Buffalo State College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she developed her expertise in health research and education.