Joan is an epidemiologist you’d take to a party. She recently moved to northern Michigan after decades of work in academia and public health. Having lived and worked in a variety of socio-economic environments, Joan is passionate about helping communities make the healthy choice the easy choice, for all of its residents.
Joan’s community health work has spanned from guiding local school programs to leading the design and development of Step it up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities.
Joan received her PhD. in Epidemiology and Community Health from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo in 1993.
Joan’s research focuses on lifestyle behaviors and chronic disease prevention. Before moving to Michigan she served as Medical Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Health and Social Medicine at the City University of New York School of Medicine. Prior to that, she was the Chief of the Physical Activity and
Health Branch in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Joan lives in Traverse City with her husband Bob and Millie, their 8-year-old rescue dog.
Good Works Lab 