Deborah Wendell

Dr. Deborah Wendell is an **Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure Track, Part-Time)** at the **LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans** in the **Department of Epidemiology & Population Health**. She has been affiliated with the Louisiana Office of Public Health (OPH) since 1995 and currently oversees the **Data Management/Analysis Unit** at the OPH STI/HIV/Hepatitis Program.

**Education**:

• PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology), Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 2008.
• MPH in Public Health (Health Policy and Analysis: Maternal & Child Health), University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1988.
• BA in History (Biology emphasis), Northwestern University, 1986.

**Research Focus**:
Dr. Wendell specializes in **infectious disease surveillance**, **data linkage**, and **public health database management**. Her work addresses **health disparities**, particularly in HIV/STI/hepatitis prevention, and evaluates interventions targeting **incarcerated populations** and **prisoner reentry**. She also focuses on **surveillance systems**, **health information exchanges**, and **opt-out testing programs** for viral hepatitis.

**Recent Trends in Publications**:
Her articles emphasize **HIV outcomes among formerly incarcerated individuals**, **hepatitis C prevalence in prisons**, and **technology-driven strategies** (e.g., videoconferencing) to improve care access. She also explores **financial incentives** and **collaborations between Medicaid and public health** to enhance health equity.

**Service & Committees**:
- Committee member, **Curriculum Committee** at LSU Health Sciences Center (2024–2024).
- Active presenter at national conferences (APHA, National Ryan White Conference), focusing on **AIDSVu tools**, **data-to-care strategies**, and **prison health initiatives**.

**Labs/Teams**:
Leads the **Data Management/Analysis Unit** at the OPH STI/HIV/Hepatitis Program, coordinating statewide surveillance and intervention evaluations.