Dr. Rachel Hardeman is an accomplished public health academic and an associate professor of the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She holds the inaugural Blue Cross Endowed Professorship in Health and Racial Equity, a testament to her critical research on the impact of racism on health outcomes, particularly for the maternal health of African Americans. Her work explores social determinants of health, utilizing intersectionality theory to better comprehend health disparities. Furthermore, Dr. Hardeman is the founder of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE), established with a significant $5 million philanthropic gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Dr. Hardeman's commitment to health equity extends beyond research into practical application and policy. She has proposed the use of doulas, non-medical birthing coaches, to improve the medical outcomes of Black mothers. In addition, Dr. Hardeman has been instrumental in advocating for reform in medical schools, emphasizing the need for students to be trained to provide equitable care to all patients. Notably, she leads a project addressing racial inequalities in birth outcomes. She also contributes to the conversation on the health risks of racism for Black mothers and babies, health inequities, and the disease burden in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

In addition to her academic and policy roles, Dr. Hardeman has made a significant impact as a public speaker and educator. She has spoken on critical issues such as the death of George Floyd and how racism affects the response to the coronavirus pandemic. A recognized authority in her field, Dr. Hardeman was named to TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024. She has been honored with several awards, including the 2019 University of Minnesota Josie R. Johnson Human Rights and Social Justice Award and the 2020 Alice S. Hersh Emerging Leader Award from AcademyHealth. Furthermore, she was named to TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024 and received the Professionalism Article Prize from the ABIM Foundation and is associated with the International Association for Medical Education (AMEE). Dr. Hardeman's wide-ranging expertise also extends into social justice journalism.

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