Designated as a Research Center of Excellence on Minority Health Disparities by the NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the center is charged with providing support for the development of broad, multidisciplinary research initiatives that position the university to become a national leader in the elimination of racial and ethnic minority disparities. Our approach integrates efforts to address broader social, economic and structural determinants of health.

M-CHE was founded at the University of Maryland School of Public Health in November 2010. Our leadership team includes, but is not limited to, Dr. Stephen B. Thomas, Director and Professor of Health Services Administration; Dr. Sandra C. Quinn, Senior Associate Director, Associate Dean for Public Health Initiatives and Professor of Family Science; and Associate Directors Dr. James Butler III, Dr. Craig S. Fryer, and Dr. Mary A. Garza, all Assistant Professors of Behavioral and Community Health.

MISSION

To establish and sustain a community engaged research enterprise on critical health disparities; To raise the visibility of racial and ethnic health disparities and promising solutions with Marylanders; To facilitate action for change in the structural determinants of health in Maryland.

VISION

To be a vibrant contributor to the University's re-invigorated land grant mission with the inclusion of the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities to achieve health equity.