Center for HOPES Research Staff
Allard E. Dembe, ScD
Professor, HSMP
Director of the Center for HOPES
College of Public Health
1841 Neil Ave
283 Cunz Hall
Columbus OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-2129
Fax: (614) 292-3572
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Allard E. Dembe is a Professor in the College of Public Health and Director of the Center for HOPES. He also serves as Director of Tracking and Evaluation for the Ohio State University’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science. From 2006 to 2012, Dr. Dembe served as Professor and Chair of the Division of Health Services Management and Policy in the College of Public Health.
Dr. Dembe specializes in studies involving health services research, outcomes measurement, program evaluation, health care quality improvement, health policy analysis, occupational health, and social aspects of health.
Prior to coming to Ohio State, Dr. Dembe held appointments at the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Health Policy and Research, Harvard University, McGill University, and Northeastern University.
Dr. Dembe also previously served as deputy director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Workers’ Compensation Health Initiative and co-directed the doctoral and postdoctoral degree programs in Occupational Health Services Research at the Harvard University School of Public Health.
Thomas M. Wickizer, PhD
Professor, HSMP
HSMP Division Chair
Associate Director of the Center for HOPES
College of Public Health
1841 Neil Ave
204 Cunz Hall
Columbus OH 43210
Phone: 614-688-3854
Fax: (614) 292-3572
Send me an email
Thomas M. Wickizer is Associate Director and Senior Scientist at the Center for HOPES. He joined the College of Public Health in 2009 as the Stephen F. Loebs Endowed Professor in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy. He currently serves as Chair of the Division of Health Services Management and Policy.
Dr. Wickizer also is Director of the Comparative Effectiveness Research Program within the Ohio State University’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
Dr. Wickizer is a widely known expert in the areas of health services research and health policy. His specializes in economic analysis, comparative effectiveness research, workers’ compensation medical care, health care improvement, and quality of care assessment.
Dr. Wickizer received his PhD in health services and policy from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. He also holds an MA degree in economics and an MPH degree in health administration from the University of Michigan.
Lauren Phelps, MPA
Research Specialist, Center for HOPES
College of Public Health
1841 Neil Ave
280-A Cunz Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 292-3609
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Lauren Phelps is a Research Specialist at the Center for HOPES. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Ohio State University and a BA degree in Political Science from Ohio Wesleyan University.
Ms. Phelps also currently serves as Program Manager of the Tracking and Evaluation Program within the Ohio State University’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
Ms. Phelps has over eight years of experience as a policy analyst with the Ohio state Medicaid program, including three years in the Bureau of Managed Health Care Programs and more than five years in the area of Inter-Agency Policy Special Projects where she was responsible for disability policy development and implementation.
Ms. Phelps has also worked in the private health care sector as a Government Programs Manager for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and as a Government Programs Administrator for United HealthCare of Ohio.
Laurel Geist
Research Assistant, Center for HOPES
College of Public Health
1841 Neil Ave
280-F Cunz Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 292-2383
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Laurel Geist is a research assistant at the Center for HOPES. Ms. Geist performs a variety of analytical activities for the Center including literature review, data acquisition and management, and compilation and production of Center technical reports.
She also assists with marketing and communications activities for the Center.
Ms. Geist’s professional interests include access to health care, program evaluation, economic analysis of healthcare issues, worksite wellness and patient navigation initiatives.
Ms. Geist holds a Bachelor’s degree in health sciences with a minor in public health from The Ohio State University, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the College of Public Health
Pam Thompson
Program Coordinator, Center for HOPES
College of Public Health
1841 Neil Ave
280-G Cunz Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 247-4245
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Pam Thompson serves as Program Coordinator and administrator for the Center for HOPES.
In that capacity, she performs a variety of functions related to event planning, communicating with the Center’s clients, overseeing financial and contracting duties for the Center, and acting as a liaison between the Center and the College of Public Health and the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs.
Ms. Thompson holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from The Ohio State University.
