Odichinma Akosionu De Souza
About Odichinma Akosionu De Souza
Odichinma Akosionu De Souza serves as the Director of the Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation at the Minnesota Department of Health and is a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. With expertise in racial inequities and healthcare policy, De Souza has a strong focus on care quality and has held various roles in public health and human services since 2014.
Work at Minnesota Department of Health
Odichinma Akosionu De Souza serves as the Director of the Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation at the Minnesota Department of Health. This role commenced in 2024, and De Souza has been actively contributing to health equity initiatives for the past eight months. The position is hybrid, allowing for a combination of in-office and remote work. In this capacity, De Souza focuses on addressing racial inequities and structural discrimination within the healthcare system, aiming to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations.
Education and Expertise
De Souza has an extensive educational background in public health and related fields. They are currently a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, a program they have been part of since 2017. De Souza holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the same institution, completed between 2012 and 2014. Additionally, they earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology from UC San Diego from 2005 to 2007, and an Associate's degree from San Diego City College from 2001 to 2004. Their expertise includes racial inequities, structural discrimination, and healthcare policy, particularly Medicare and Medicaid.
Background
De Souza has held various positions that contribute to their expertise in public health. They worked as a Human Services Program Consultant at the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, De Souza has been involved with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health as a Graduate Research Assistant since 2016 and served as a Teaching Assistant in 2019. They also hold the position of Director of Operations at the Research In Color Foundation since 2020, where they focus on health equity and community engagement.
Research Focus
De Souza's research interests include measures of care quality and quality of life. They have a strong interest in the performance incentives and public reporting aspects of Medicare and Medicaid policy. Their work often explores the intersection of health equity and healthcare delivery, aiming to identify and address disparities within the system. De Souza also engages in personal research related to skincare formulations, reflecting a diverse range of interests beyond public health.
Hobbies and Personal Interests
In addition to their professional pursuits, De Souza enjoys cooking and experimenting with new food recipes and techniques. This hobby reflects a creative outlet that complements their academic and professional focus on health and well-being. De Souza's personal interests contribute to a well-rounded profile, showcasing a balance between professional dedication and personal enjoyment.