Dr. Garcia now serves as our Director of Programs and Grants, bringing invaluable expertise from her extensive career in Public Health.

Before joining us, Valerie made significant contributions to maternal health and health equity. She worked with the National Healthy Start Association, held faculty positions at NYU School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Brooklyn College, and was a Fellow at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Dr. Garcia’s research has focused on the social, environmental, and structural determinants of health, especially in underserved communities. Her previous work includes studying the impacts of gentrification on health outcomes, understanding the sociocultural dynamics increasing HIV risk among Black women, and identifying environmental barriers to sleep and cardiovascular health.

Her passion for maternal health is deeply personal. Dr. Garcia’s own birthing experience ignited her mission to address the maternal health crisis in the United States. With a Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University and degrees in Psychology (B.S., M.S.) from Florida A&M University, Valerie brings both heart and expertise to our mission.