“Demetria McNeal, Ph.D., MBA is a health communication scientist with expertise in implementation science, sustainability, and health equity. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Health Equity in the Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. McNeal is dedicated to disrupting the status quo of healthcare. Dr. McNealShe believes that to improve health outcomes and experiences, we must do healthcare differently. As a research professor, consultant, and speaker, she fights inequalities in the healthcare system so it can better serve all people, particularly minoritized communities. Her research focuses on interests span health communication, dissemination and implementation science, and disparities in cardiovascular disease. Dr. McNeal conducts pragmatic, patient-centered research and mixed-method evaluation on health and health care for diverse populations.
Dr. McNeal’s career in healthcare began at a very young age when she worked at a drugstore through high school. She then graduated from the Michael E. DeBakey H.S. for Health Professions, located in the Texas Medical Center. Though she decided that earning a marketing degree was preferred over a medical degree, she maintained a career trajectory in healthcare. By working as a nurse aide and unit clerk at a community hospital through college, and later working in a variety of positions in a pharmaceutical company and healthcare consulting, she saw firsthand the gaps and inequities within the healthcare system that frequently left clinicians hamstrung and prevented patients, particularly minoritized patients, from receiving basic and necessary healthcare treatment. Those experiences spurred her academic research in healthcare innovation and interventions to better serve minoritized communities. Dr. McNeal believes that individual health should not be determined by race, gender, socioeconomic status, geographic location, occupation, or religion.
Dr. McNeal converts her beliefs into action through research, speaking, and consulting. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Her work has been published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the Journal of the American Heart Association, and the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, among others. She has also appeared on several podcasts, most recently the AlchemistX podcast, and multiple panels to discuss innovation in the healthcare industry and the contextual considerations for the dissemination of healthcare interventions in diverse settings.
Consulting services are an essential pillar of Dr. McNeal’s passion for healthcare communication and innovation, which she provides as part of the Colorado Health Innovation Community (CHIC). She has given presentations at the Science of Dissemination and Implementation Conference, the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare & Health Literacy, and the American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University, Master of Business Administration in Marketing from New York Institute of Technology, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Communication Studies from the University of Georgia. Dr. McNeal is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) granted by the Association for Training Development.
Dr. Demetria is available for educational consultation, speeches, workshops, podcast interviews and more. Contact her today and help raise awareness of the implications of healthcare communication inequity.”
“She is married to Andre and is a proud bonus mom to their daughter, Adrianna. Demetria enjoys reading, cycling, fishing, and traveling during her downtime.”
MISSION
Alter the status quo.
My Mission is to disrupt the status quo of how healthcare is delivered and utilized. I want to ensure it is equitable and socially just for everyone by dismantling the ways social and cultural differences.
I aim to become the instrument of change in how healthcare information is provided and received. By raising awareness of inequity in the healthcare institution, I foster change by increasing the dissemination of services and resources to every patient, regardless of demographics, financial status, or cultural differences. By changing the very culture of healthcare, truly equitable and just care will be available for everyone.
VISION
Find your best health self.
My vision is a world where every individual can attain their best health through equitable and transparent health information. Through honest, respectful, and considerate research, everyone can receive healthcare regardless of where they live, work, play, or worship.
I am an author and co-author of numerous scholarly articles and book chapters, have been an invited guest on podcasts on healthcare innovation, and have served on panels discussing contextual considerations for the dissemination of healthcare interventions in diverse settings. My academic achievements include:
Ph.D., Communication Studies, University of Georgia
M.B.A., Marketing, New York Institute of Technology
B.S., Marketing, Hampton University
Fellowships:
- Dissemination and Implementation Science, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
- Health Services Research, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Certifications:
Certified Professional in Training & Development (CPTD),
Teaching and Pedagogical Development:
- Prevalence of PAD and disproportionate rates and poor outcomes in people of color,
- Detection of PAD,
- Disparities in care, detection of PAD, and emerging treatment options – Chronic PAD,
