Disparities Research The Bronx is home to some of the greatest inequities in chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, substance use disorder, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and hepatitis C. Researchers in the department of medicine at Montefiore Einstein and throughout the institution are dedicated to investigating and mitigating a multitude of disparities in health outcomes. Trainees are encouraged to participate in these innovative projects. Following are a few examples of what our researchers are doing: Shivani Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H. Associate Professor Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology Dr. Agarwal's research focuses on the clinical and behavioral interventions in young adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as racial and socioeconomic disparities in type 1 diabetes (e.g., diabetes technology). Read More about Dr. Agarwal Matthew J. Akiyama, M.D., M.S. Associate Professor Department of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine Dr. Akiyama's clinical and research career is devoted to advancing health equity in unequitable environments with a particular emphasis on the intersection of hepatitis C infection in the criminal legal system and sub-Saharan Africa. Read More about Dr. Akiyama Ruby C. Greywoode, M.D. Assistant Professor Department of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology Dr. Greywoode's research focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and exploring how race, ethnicity, psychological, and social factors influence IBD patterns and outcomes. Read More about Dr. Greywoode Tanya S. Johns, M.D. Associate Professor Department of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology Dr. Johns specializes in care of patients with various kidney disorders. Her over-arching research goal is to increase health equity and improve outcomes for all patients with kidney disease. Viraj V. Patel, M.D. Associate Professor Department of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine Dr. Patel’s research centers around innovative community engaged approaches to HIV prevention with sexual minority men and gender minority communities in the U.S., India, and Rwanda. His research focuses on developing and testing technology-based behavioral interventions to reach and engage underserved communities, and implementation and scale-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV in clinical and community settings. Read More about Dr. Patel Carlos J. Rodriguez, M.D., M.P.H. Professor Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology Dr. Rodriguez’s research investigates cardiovascular epidemiology, the impact of psychosocial and behavioral factors on cardiovascular health, and health disparities and cardiovascular health of minority populations. Read More about Dr. Rodriguez Lili Zhang, M.D. Assistant Professor Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis, racial disparities in cardiovascular care, and the application of multimodality imaging and machine-learning techniques in cardiovascular disease.
