Mirella Cacace

Prof. Mirella Cacace is a Professor of Healthcare Systems and Health Policy at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg. She holds adjunct roles including Guest Professor at Leuphana University's Innovation Incubator and has extensive experience with international research institutions like RAND Europe and Columbia University.

• PhD in Economics from University of Bremen (2003-2010)
• Completed studies in Economics at Freiburg University (Diploma, 1996)

Her research focuses on cross-country healthcare system comparisons, institutional economics, and equity in healthcare access. Notable projects include studies on pandemic hospital capacity management for Bertelsmann Foundation (2020) and healthcare transformation in Central/Eastern Europe (2018-2021).

Her work integrates academic teaching with applied research, including projects on digitalization in healthcare education and violence prevention in nursing. She has led major collaborative initiatives such as the Harkness Fellowship project on healthcare equity (2008-2009) and the Collaborative Research Centre 597 on state transformation in healthcare governance.

• Awarded Harkness Fellowship from Commonwealth Fund (2008-2009)

Current teaching focuses on advanced nursing practice, healthcare economics, and policy analysis through projects like AP2 Caritas and KWA Parkstift St. Ulrich initiatives. She actively explores digitalization strategies in higher education and workforce satisfaction in healthcare settings.