Beth Hawks

Cdr. Beth A. Hawks is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics (PMB) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, MD. She holds a secondary appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine. As an active-duty U.S. Navy healthcare administrator, she serves as Vice Chair for Graduate Programs in PMB and co-course Director for the Health Systems Science curriculum in the School of Medicine. Previously, she directed USU’s Master of Health Administration & Policy program.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Public Administration & Policy, American University
• MHA in Health Administration, University of Scranton
• B.S. in Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University

Research focuses on health policy, public management, and health services research. Her work applies empirical methods to study organizational performance, healthcare quality improvement, and public management techniques. Key areas include veterans’ health (opioid misuse, substance relapse), nursing home regulation, and healthcare system sustainability. She combines academic research with 15 years of healthcare administration experience in military and private sectors.

Her recent publications address military health system surgical analysis, veterans’ substance use disorders, nursing home performance drivers, and health systems science education methodologies. She actively contributes to curricular development and program sustainability in medical education innovation.

Professional roles include leadership in graduate programs, curriculum development, and bridging practitioner expertise with academic research to enhance healthcare delivery systems.