Dr. Tracy L. Finlayson, Associate Professor in the Division of Health Management and Policy at San Diego State University’s Graduate School of Public Health was selected as one of the first recipients of the Isman-Fine Oral Health Leadership Fellows Program.
Dr. Tracy L. Finlayson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development from the University of California, Davis, and continued on to the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, Department of Health Management and Policy to earn her Ph.D. Dr. Finlayson has devoted her career to oral health disparities research and has published over fifteen papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Finlayson’s involvement in the public health community and recognized performance made her the perfect recipient for the Isman-Fine Oral Health Leadership Fellows Program.
The Isman-Fine Oral Health Leadership Fellows Program, named after Robert Isman, DDS, MPH and Jared Fine, DDS, MPH, is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. The program was created in early 2015 and prides itself on fostering and mentoring a new network of emerging leaders in the public health field.
Dr. Finlayson received the award on November 20, 2015 at the Center for Oral Health’s 30th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles. The award was presented by Conrado Barzaga, MD and Executive Director of the Center for Oral Health and Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, Dean of Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and board member for the Center for Oral Health.
Over the course of the 12-month program, Finlayson will meet with oral health leaders throughout California and spend time researching public policy topics affecting the oral health of vulnerable populations. Such topics may include: oral health indicators, oral health literacy, access to oral health care services, health care policy, and many more. Findings from the year-long research project will be summarized in reports, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs.
