Susanne Hempel

Susanne Hempel is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC). She serves as the Director of the Southern California Evidence Review Center, one of nine Evidence-based Practice Centers selected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Her work focuses on leading multi-site, interdisciplinary evidence reviews for federal agencies like AHRQ and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as nonprofit organizations such as PCORI. She also teaches courses including the Capstone Project, Health Services in the U.S., and Health Behavior Research Methods at USC's Masters of Public Health program.

• Education: PhD in Personality Psychology from the University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
• Prior Affiliations: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica; Center for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), University of York, UK.

Dr. Hempel's research spans systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence synthesis methodologies. Her work addresses diverse topics including HIV-related stigma, pediatric cancer survivorship, ADHD diagnostics, PTSD interventions, and patient safety practices. She has contributed to methodological advancements in evidence maps, quality improvement toolkits, and GRADE framework applications.

Her publications demonstrate a strong focus on translating evidence into policy and practice, with significant contributions to military health, chronic pain management, and healthcare disparities. Articles highlight her expertise in synthesizing evidence for high-need populations, including veterans, stroke survivors, and individuals with substance use disorders.

• Email: susanneh@usc.edu