معرفی
Mary Jo Larson serves as Senior Research Scientist II at the Institute for Behavioral Health, Brandeis University, specializing in health services research focused on mental health, substance abuse, and military healthcare systems. Her work examines access, quality, and cost of care for vulnerable populations including military service members, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness or incarceration.
Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Brandeis University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Dr. Larson's research centers on mental health services delivery, substance abuse treatment systems, and integrated care models. She has particular expertise in military and veterans' health, studying post-deployment health outcomes, opioid prescribing patterns, and complementary health approaches. Her work frequently addresses disenfranchised populations through longitudinal studies and clinical trials, including a major investigation of military members returning from deployment and a pilot trial on academic detailing for opioid prescribers.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on military health systems, opioid crisis interventions, and mental health policy. Key trends include examination of nonpharmacologic pain treatments, impacts of healthcare reform on mental health access, and innovative harm reduction strategies for substance use disorders, with strong emphasis on real-world clinical implementation.
Her scientific contributions have been recognized through:
- Leadership Fellow, Bush Foundation (1983-1984)
- Predoctoral Trainee in Mental Health Economics, National Institute of Mental Health (1985-1987)
- Lucius N. Littauer Fellow, Harvard University (1985)
- Best in Theme abstract award, AcademyHealth (2010)
Dr. Larson secures research funding for primary data collection and secondary analyses examining addiction care systems, integrated services for co-occurring disorders, and military health outcomes. She teaches global mental health policy and has directed feasibility studies of web-based training for mental health clinicians, demonstrating commitment to both research translation and workforce development.
She currently leads a longitudinal study of military deployment impacts and designs clinical interventions like her academic detailing program for opioid prescribers, working closely with military healthcare systems and community organizations serving vulnerable populations.
