BS Grand Valley State University: Health, Communication, Minor in Advertising & Public Relations
MPH Grand Valley State University: Health Promotions and Education
Erica Farr is the Community Health Outreach Specialist for Academic Affairs with a joint appointment in the Office of Medical Education Research and Development (OMERAD). Erica maintains relationships with community partners to ensure access to crucial care and consistent application of infectious disease policies and procedures across CHM’s eight community campuses. She is the primary contact for all students, faculty, and staff for infection control strategies to manage illness & risk. Erica also manages relationships with external partners to ensure student access to necessary care. As a public health professional, Erica continuously utilizes her knowledge in epidemiology and emergency preparedness to surveillance emerging diseases and prepare emergency planning to ensure the successful completion of course requirements for CHM students. Erica provides education and assistance to CHM students as they navigate health compliance standards. She monitors the compliance of CHM students to ensure they can safely remain in clinical activities. She is active in advising, outreach, engagement, relationship management, systems thinking, project management, research facilitation, process management, and teaching. Erica joined Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine in April 2022.
Scholarly Work
Erica is a young health professional with a diverse background in health education, communications, chronic disease prevention, infectious disease, patient education in a clinical care setting, and advocacy. In her most recent work, she evaluated the Screening for Early Eating Disorder Symptoms (SEEDS) Diagnostic Tool in Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Care in conjunction with Dr. Jose Jimenez-Vega, who was serving as head Pediatric Endocrinologist at the time Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Erica strives to bridge the gap in care between public health and clinical care to create healthier communities.
Areas of Interest
Erica is currently a Doctoral of Public Health (DrPH) student at Walden University. She is an active mentor to many graduate and undergraduate students. Erica has also served as a preceptor for nursing students and MPH candidates in her previous positions in local public health and non-profits. She is passionate in her steadfast approach to increasing opportunities for health professionals in research, public health, medically underserved populations, and populations living with disabilities. Erica hopes to improve health equity, positive health outcomes, and provider trust through education, awareness, and advocacy.
