Shan Parker

Shan Parker serves as Professor of Public Health and Health Sciences and Director of the Academic Program within the College of Health Sciences at the University of Michigan-Flint. Her leadership spans academic administration and cutting-edge research addressing systemic health disparities in vulnerable populations.

Dr. Parker earned her Ph.D. in Health Education in 2000, establishing the foundation for her expertise in community-centered public health interventions. Her educational background directly informs her approach to health equity research and program development.

Her research portfolio centers on disability studies, trauma-informed public health practices, and environmental health justice. She investigates quality-of-life determinants among adults with physical disabilities in underserved communities, attitudinal barriers affecting people with disabilities, and long-term impacts of environmental disasters like the Flint water crisis. Her work consistently prioritizes community-engaged methodologies including photovoice and qualitative analysis.

Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals increasing focus on intersectional health disparities, particularly how neighborhood accessibility, social support, and ableism impact quality of life for aging populations with disabilities in low-resource settings. Her recent scholarship integrates wearable technology applications and interprofessional care models to address systemic barriers.

Dr. Parker has secured over $12 million in competitive research funding as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, including major awards from the American Heart Association ($2.5M WIRED-L project), Department of Health and Human Services ($4.37M Rehabilitation Research and Training Center), and SAMHSA ($547K Flint ReCAST initiative). Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained commitment to community-based participatory research addressing colorectal cancer screening, health literacy, and substance abuse prevention in Genesee County.

She actively collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including the American Public Health Association, federally qualified health centers, and faith-based organizations. Her current work through the WIRED-L consortium explores digital health solutions for reducing cardiovascular risk among marginalized populations while maintaining strong community partnerships established during Flint water crisis response efforts.