Jennifer S. De La Rosa

Dr. Jennifer S. De La Rosa serves as Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson and Strategy Director for the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction. Her work bridges medical sociology and data science to address critical gaps in chronic pain, substance use, and mental health care systems with an emphasis on health equity and stigma reduction.

Her research program centers on treatment quality assessment, behavioral health workforce development, and social determinants of health. Current projects examine the integration of peer support services for opioid-impacted populations and evidence-based cannabis education for healthcare providers. Her methodological approach combines quantitative health services research with community-engaged implementation science.

Dr. De La Rosa's publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on health disparities in pain management, with recent work receiving Editor's Choice recognition from PAIN journal for identifying systemic gaps in mental health services for chronic pain patients. Her scholarship emphasizes practical interventions for underserved populations.

Her notable recognitions include:

• 2024-2025 Leadership Academy selection by United States Association for the Study of Pain
• Editor's Choice award by PAIN journal for 'The Unmet Mental Health Needs of U.S. Adults with Chronic Pain'

As principal investigator of the HRSA-funded PeerWORKS program, she leads training and certification of opioid-impacted individuals as behavioral health peer support specialists. She also directs evaluation of AzCANN, an Arizona Department of Health Services initiative providing evidence-based cannabis education to healthcare professionals. These projects reflect her commitment to translational research with direct community impact.

She actively shapes strategic initiatives at the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across clinical, research, and policy domains to develop integrated solutions for the opioid epidemic and improve pain management systems.