Public Health Doctoral Student at Helm of New, Visionary Research Center

Photo Submitted

Abbie Luzius

Abbie Luzius is a full-time public health doctoral student at the U of A who also handles a fast-paced role as the community development manager for Community Clinic, a health center in Springdale that serves people regardless of their ability to pay.

Community Clinic has 15 locations across Northwest Arkansas, and it serves over 40,000 people a year. Luzius oversees a team of nine that focuses on preventive behaviors across the lifespan. She also works with community partners across the region to connect patients with the right services.

Luzius recently moved into a research role at the clinic. In June 2021, she wrote an article titled, "Using the PRAPARE Tool to Examine Those Tested and Testing Positive for COVID-19 at a Community Health Center" that was published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Luzius mentors several undergraduate U of A public health majors in the College of Education and Health Professions. Two of the students, Rebekah Kirkish and Monica Mojica, helped her with the research and were co-authors on the article.

PRAPARE stands for Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients' Assets, Risks and Experiences. It's a national effort that helps health centers collect data so they can better understand and act on non-medical factors that influence patients' health outcomes, such as socioeconomic status, education or social support networks.

"This is just the beginning of what I hope to turn into a much bigger project looking at the PRAPARE tool — and social determinants of health in general — at Community Clinic," she said.

She plans to use the clinic's PRAPARE data on food insecurity to pilot a produce program for the community. She's hopeful that distributing fresh fruits and vegetables from area farms to patients with chronic diseases will improve their health.

Luzius, the mom of two children — including a new baby, Laurel, who was born at the beginning of 2021 — has found her place at Community Clinic and hopes to remain there after earning her Ph.D.

"I'd love to stay at the helm of this new, visionary research center," she said. "I want Community Clinic to be a leader in caring for the people who need it most."

This story is the latest in a series called the Dean's Spotlight, featuring outstanding students in the College of Education and Health Professions. Visit COEHP's online magazine, the Colleague for more news from the six units that make up the College. Visit the Health, Human Performance and Recreation page for more information on COEHP's health promotion programs.