Julie Preskitt

Dr. Julie Preskitt is a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Organization at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health. She also holds appointments as Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions - Occupational Therapy and as Senior Scientist in the School of Medicine. Dr. Preskitt serves as Director of the Applied Evaluation and Assessment Collaborative (AEAC) at UAB and as Vice Chair of Education for the Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and certificate programs.

Dr. Preskitt earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Auburn University (2010), Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from UAB (2003), and Master of Occupational Therapy from UAB (1998). Her educational background reflects her interdisciplinary approach to public health and health policy.

With over 25 years of experience in maternal and child health, Dr. Preskitt's research focuses on program evaluation, continuous quality improvement in home visiting programs, maternal and child health policy, and early childhood development. Her work examines the effectiveness of interventions for children and youth with special health care needs, as well as developing and facilitating needs assessment and evaluation for maternal and child health programs at national, regional, state, and local levels. She has made significant contributions to understanding school readiness, autism spectrum disorder service utilization, maternal depression, and tobacco cessation within home visiting contexts.

Dr. Preskitt's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on improving maternal and child health outcomes through evidence-based interventions and quality improvement methodologies. Her recent publications emphasize continuous quality improvement approaches in home visiting programs, addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes, and evaluating the long-term impacts of early childhood interventions like Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. Her research often employs mixed methods, including cluster analyses, qualitative assessments, and implementation science approaches to tackle complex public health challenges.

As Director of the Applied Evaluation and Assessment Collaborative, Dr. Preskitt leads initiatives that strengthen evaluation capacity and promote data-driven decision making across various health and human service programs. Her leadership in the Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership MPH program has shaped the education of future public health professionals focused on improving maternal and child health systems and policies.

Dr. Preskitt's interdisciplinary background in public administration, public health, and occupational therapy uniquely positions her to bridge policy, practice, and research in maternal and child health. Her work with the Alabama home visiting program demonstrates practical applications of quality improvement science to address pressing maternal and child health issues, including maternal depression, tobacco use, and school readiness. Through her leadership roles and scholarly contributions, Dr. Preskitt continues to advance evidence-based practices that improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.