Hira Rashid

Hira Rashid

Degree: 2015, M.A. and Ph.D.

Job Title: Research Associate, Office of Health Affairs, West Virginia University

​Hira Rashid (M.A. '15 and Ph.D '20) research interests and work has been focused on the impact of public health and healthcare related policy interventions on vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Hira is a currently a Research Associate at the Office of Health Affairs at West Virginia University, and also serves as the Program Director for a large scale evaluation of SAMHSA funded System of Care grant being implemented in the State of West Virginia. Hira’s work is focuses specifically on working with the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health to examine healthcare-focused policy interventions for children and youth with mental and behavioral health needs. In addition, Hira has been supporting the evaluation of the agreement between the State of West Virginia and the Department of Justice to implement policy changes aimed at keeping children with mental and behavioral health needs out of residential treatment facilities. Hira has also been involved in the evaluation of policy changes implemented in the State of West Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose of which is to help the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources identify policies for long-term implementation.

Hira graduated with a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from UD in 2020. Her dissertation was focused on an examination of trends between increased vulnerability and growing health disparities among populations affected by displacement. In 2015, Hira completed her Masters in Public Policy from UD as a Fulbright scholar. During her masters, Hira’s research work was focused on the impact of social determinants of health on maternal and child health outcomes.

Hira was also a Graduate Assistant at the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS). During her time at CCRS, Hira was involved in the multi-year effort focused on a multifaceted evaluation of the CMS - State Innovation Model grant. Hira was also a member of the CCRS team that led the evaluation of the Delaware Contraception Access Now Initiative. During her time at CCRS, Hira also supported research on ongoing projects under the supervision of Dr. Erin Knight.