Kristin Reiter, PhD, is the Humana Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. She holds a PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy from the University of Michigan, with a cognate in Finance. Her academic leadership spans roles as department Chair and Research Fellow at the Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Reiter's research focuses on rural healthcare economics, hospital financial performance, and quality improvement in primary care. She leads federally-funded projects including the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Evaluation and rural data analysis initiatives for the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Her teaching includes courses on healthcare financial management and management accounting. Education: BS in Accounting (Northern Illinois University, 1993), MAE in Applied Economics (University of Michigan, 2000), PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy (University of Michigan, 2004). Research emphasizes hospital financial metrics, rural healthcare access, and the business case for quality improvement. Over 60 peer-reviewed publications include landmark studies on Medicaid expansion impacts and hospital mergers. Key awards include Exceptional Reviewer recognition from The Journal of Rural Health (2012-2013). Current projects address rural healthcare financing challenges, primary care transformation, and the economic effects of FDA regulatory policies. She collaborates with state and federal agencies to inform healthcare policy decisions.
