Dr. Dara D. Méndez is an educator, researcher, writer and speaker in the areas of reproductive justice, maternal and child health, and health equity. She is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and co-founder of the EMBRACE Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence. Her work elevates Black feminist theory, Public Health Critical Race Praxis and centering the experiences of Black populations in understanding maternal and infant health outcomes and women's health. She also integrates holistic and wellness modalities in work as she is developing sound healing practices. Additionally, Dr. Méndez serves on the Board of Health for Allegheny County (Pennsylvania), executive team of the Black Equity Coalition, and formerly served on the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
Dr. Méndez was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA before moving to Atlanta, GA to attend Spelman College where she completed a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology (pre-medicine) and was introduced to the field of public health and specifically scholarship in Black Feminist Theory, Reproductive Justice, Critical Race Theory and gendered racism. After earning her MPH and PhD in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, along with a certificate in Health Equity, from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Dr. Méndez returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh as a Kellogg Health Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh. She has continued her professional career dedicated to advancing health justice in Pittsburgh and around the world.
Dr. Méndez is blessed with three wonderfully creative children: Cairen, Adrah, and Leilani, who constantly inspire her to embrace joy, laughter, and wonder in every moment. She believes that her children's souls chose her to parent them in this lifetime. Her partner, Dr. Jason C. Méndez, is a writer, playwright, and educator. They approach life through a family philosophy of care for each other and the larger community, creativity, exploration and encouragement to live the highest forms of ourselves.
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Dr. Dara D. Méndez