Stephen Patrick

Stephen W. Patrick is the O. Wayne Rollins Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. A practicing neonatologist, he focuses on improving outcomes for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their infants. His NIH-funded research bridges clinical care, public health, and policy, addressing substance use, maternal and child health, and Medicaid policy. He has held roles such as White House Senior Policy Advisor and has testified before Congress.

Patrick co-directs the Emory Health Services Research Center and leads the Emory Center for Child Health Policy. His clinical practice is at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Awards include the American Medical Association Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award and the Nemours Child Health Services Research Award. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed articles in journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, emphasizing policy-relevant research.

• Research Highlights: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, telemedicine for OUD treatment, and policy impacts on maternal health.
• Grants & Funding: NIH-funded projects on OUD treatment and Medicaid policy.
• Labs/Teams: Co-director of Emory Health Services Research Center, leader of Emory Center for Child Health Policy.

He advocates for community-informed research and policy translation, ensuring academic work drives real-world health improvements. His work spans clinical practice, policy advocacy, and mentorship, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.