Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar

Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), jointly appointed in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Disability and Human Development. She maintains affiliations as an Affiliate Faculty in UIC’s Department of Psychology.

• PhD in Developmental and Child Psychology, University of Kansas
• MA in Developmental and Child Psychology, University of Kansas
• BA in Psychology, Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia

Her research focuses on the intersection of race, culture, and health disparities, particularly in social determinants of health affecting diverse individuals with disabilities and their families. She develops culturally tailored interventions to address disparities and promote health equity for Latinx and immigrant populations.

Her recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize culturally tailored health promotion for Latinx families of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), ecological systems theory applications, and community-engaged approaches. Keywords span public health, disability studies, and community psychology.

• 2022-2023 University Scholar at UIC
• 2016 AHS Professor of the Year
• 2015 Leaders and Legacies Society (American Occupational Therapy Foundation)
• 2015 Influential Hispanics in Chicago
• 2012 AHS Leadership Award

She serves as a volunteer consultant to El Valor, co-chairs international advanced placements at Peru’s Center Ann Sullivan, and participates in the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC). She has received grants from The Chicago Community Trust and DHHS/NIDILRR for disability health projects.