Elizabeth Needham Waddell

Elizabeth Needham Waddell, PhD, serves as Associate Professor of Public Health in the OHSU-Portland State University School of Public Health and OHSU School of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine. Her research focuses on improving health systems integration and understanding treatment needs of adults cycling through the criminal justice system, with emphasis on overdose prevention and substance use disorder treatment for vulnerable populations.

Dr. Waddell's educational background includes:

• B.A. in Arts & Sciences from University of Pennsylvania (1995)
• M.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (1998)
• Ph.D. from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (2003)
• NIDA Postdoctoral Fellowship at Columbia University (2003-2005)
• Certificate in Practice-based Research Methods (2016)

Her research spans public health interventions for substance use disorders within criminal justice settings, investigating post-release overdose prevention, health systems integration, and social determinants of health affecting justice-involved populations. She frequently collaborates with Oregon state agencies to develop evidence-based solutions for treatment access and health equity.

Analysis of her 2021-2023 publications reveals consistent focus on opioid use disorder treatment in criminal justice settings, rural health disparities, and integration of behavioral health in primary care. Key themes include overdose prevention post-incarceration, HIV/OUD comorbidity management, and structural barriers to care for marginalized populations.

Dr. Waddell's scientific contributions have been recognized with:

• OHSU Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Leadership (2021)
• Oregon Department of Corrections Director’s Award (2020)
• OHSU WAHM Discovery in Science Award Finalist (2020, 2021)

As Principal Investigator on CDC-funded ROAR project and co-PI on NIDA-funded EXIT-CJS trial, she leads significant research initiatives addressing post-release overdose risk and medication treatment comparisons. Her policy work includes service on Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (2017-2020) and Measure 110 Evaluation Stakeholder Group (2021-present), demonstrating strong commitment to translating research into practice.

Dr. Waddell collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including certified recovery mentors, public health officials, and community stakeholders. Her projects actively engage justice-involved populations to ensure research addresses real-world needs through community-based participatory approaches.