Health Services Research PhD students and faculty from the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP) in George Mason University’s College of Public Health presented their research at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting (ARM), held June 7 to 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As the nation’s premier forum for health services research, AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting brings researchers and health system leaders together to examine how policy, payment, and technology affect cost, access, and quality of care.

HAP PhD students and faculty delivered a range of presentations, covering healthcare worker burnout, digital health interventions, and Medicare policy. Their participation underscores HAP’s commitment to applied research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact.

PhD student presenter, Ge Song, reflected on her experience at the conference, where she presented her recent research on using circadian patterns in vital signs to improve hospital mortality prediction:

“Presenting my findings at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting was a rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to connect with clinical researchers who offered thoughtful suggestions, particularly around clinical interpretation and modeling, that will shape the next phase of my analysis.”

Yiwen Li shared her perspective as a first-year doctoral student:

“Attending AcademyHealth ARM 2025 has been a wonderful experience. In my session, I was honored to present our WeCare 2.0 outcome evaluation and share how culturally tailored digital health interventions can support underserved family dementia caregivers. Beyond my own session, I also learned a lot from other presentations focusing on innovative care models and methods addressing health disparities, especially among aging, minority, and high-need populations.”

Why It Matters

Presenting at AcademyHealth is a vital part of advancing the field of health services research. It reflects the mission of Mason’s Health Services Research PhD program to train future scholars who can generate evidence and effectively communicate findings to improve healthcare delivery and policy. By presenting research in person, HAP students, faculty, and alumni engage with national thought leaders, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and shape healthcare systems.

“By showing up in person to share our work, the HAP department is contributing to a growing field that aims to improve access to health care services and, in turn, the well-being of families and individuals,” said Gilbert Gimm, director of the Health Services Research PhD program. “It’s also a fun way to build new connections and potential collaborations.”

George Mason faculty and PhD student presenters at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting

Alison Cuellar , PhD , George Mason University

Panel Speaker: Opportunities for Improving and Learning from Transparency in Coverage Data

Gilbert Gimm , PhD , George Mason University

Poster Presentation: Assessing Cannabis Smoking, Vaping, and Edible Use Among U.S. Adults by Disability Status in 2022

Debora Goldberg , PhD, MHA, MBA , George Mason University

Poster Presentation: Exploring Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among Healthcare Workers Using the Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being

Session Chair: From Burnout to Retention: Bridging Individual Struggles and Systemic Solutions

Y. Alicia Hong , PhD , George Mason University

Podium Presentation: Evaluation of Stronger2 Project: A Community-Government-Academic Partnership to Enhance Resilience and Reduce Health Disparities

Jeah Jung , PhD , George Mason University

Poster Presentation: Use of Low-Value Cancer Treatments in Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare

Yiwen Li, MPH , PhD student, George Mason University

Podium Presentation: Evaluation of WeCare 2.0: A Digital Health Intervention for Chinese American Dementia Caregivers

Ge Song, PhD student, George Mason University

Poster Presentation: Integrating Circadian Rhythms of Vital Signs into In-Hospital Mortality Prediction Models

Beyond the Conference

Mason’s engagement with AcademyHealth extends beyond the ARM. The university is home to an official AcademyHealth Student Chapter, offering students year-round access to leadership opportunities, national events, and professional development in health services research.

Looking Ahead

Involvement in national conferences such as AcademyHealth, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), and the American Public Health Association (APHA) affirms Mason’s growing presence in research on health policy, informatics, and public health. With each presentation, the HAP department is preparing the next generation of leaders in health services research.