Kristin Michelle Mattocks

Kristin Michelle Mattocks, PhD, MPH is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School with multiple affiliations across the T.H. Chan School of Medicine in the Departments of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Family Medicine and Community Health, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as well as the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in the Departments of Masters in Clinical Investigation, MD/PhD Program, and Population Health Sciences.

Education:

• BA in Biology & Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
• MPH from Yale University, New Haven, CT
• PhD in Philosophy from Yale University, New Haven, CT

Research Interests:

Dr. Mattocks is a leading researcher in veterans' health, with a particular focus on women veterans' healthcare. Her work spans multiple domains including maternal and reproductive health, mental health, pain management, and healthcare access for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. She has extensively studied the unique health challenges faced by women veterans, including pregnancy-related cardiovascular risks, experiences with cesarean sections, and barriers to breastfeeding within the Veterans Affairs system. Her research also addresses critical issues of health equity, examining how racial disparities impact maternal autonomy and healthcare experiences among BIPOC veterans.

Publication Trends:

Dr. Mattocks' recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a continued focus on women veterans' health across multiple dimensions. Her work examines pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular risks during pregnancy, pain management during pregnancy and postpartum, and the transition from military to VA care. She also conducts important research on suicide prevention interventions, sleep disorders among veterans, and community care networks within the Veterans Health Administration. Her methodological approach often combines quantitative and qualitative methods to provide comprehensive insights into veterans' healthcare experiences and system-level challenges.

Scientific Contributions:

• Extensive research on women veterans' healthcare experiences and outcomes
• Studies on implementation of mental health interventions in VA settings
• Examination of health disparities among veteran populations
• Analysis of community care networks and access to specialty services
• Research on pain management strategies for veterans

Advising and Grants:

Dr. Mattocks has been involved in numerous research projects examining veterans' health, often in collaboration with colleagues at the VA and other academic institutions. Her work frequently addresses implementation science questions, evaluating how to effectively translate evidence into practice within the Veterans Health Administration. She has contributed to studies examining the integration of mental health services, pain management strategies, and reproductive healthcare for women veterans. Her research has been supported by various VA and NIH mechanisms focused on improving healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations.

Labs and Teams:

Dr. Mattocks collaborates extensively with the Veterans Health Administration, particularly through the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. She is part of research teams focused on women's health, implementation science, and health services research. Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations across departments of medicine, psychiatry, and population health. She works closely with colleagues like Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers and others in the field of veterans' health research, contributing to multi-site studies examining various aspects of veterans' healthcare experiences and outcomes.