Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
College of Health Professions
Dr. Heather Steiness has had an expansive career in public health that has taken her around the world to study a variety of health issues and their solutions. In 2019, she joined the University of Phoenix to pass on her knowledge and enthusiasm for the health professions through program and curriculum development and teaching.
Dr. Steiness is the Associate Dean for the College of Health Professions' graduate programs, including the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration programs. Dr. Steiness led in the development of the Master of Public Health program, which launched in January 2020.
The Master of Health Administration program has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) since November 2019. Most recently, Dr. Steiness led the reaccreditation efforts for the MHA program and received a seven-year term of accreditation.
Her work with CAHME also includes acting as a CAHME site visitor to other health administration programs around the country, and as a member of CAHME's mentorship circle providing guidance to other CAHME-accredited programs.
Prior to coming to the University of Phoenix, Dr. Steiness worked in the field of global public health for over 20 years. Her roles have included conducting health data surveillance and analysis; developing quality improvement models and evaluations for international health services delivery programs; designing, implementing, and managing research studies and breast cancer intervention programs in resource-poor settings; successful grant writing; and administering public health programs.
Dr. Steiness received her doctorate in Global Health from Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. Her dissertation was on barriers to breast cancer care in rural Bangladesh. Dr. Steiness also has a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.
A common thread across Dr. Steiness’ research is the identification of health inequities for the purposes of designing and implementing programs to reduce disparities in health outcomes.
Her research and efforts in Bangladesh contributed to the development of the first breast cancer diagnosis and treatment center and satellite offices in the Khulna division of Bangladesh which continues to operate today serving thousands of women who would otherwise be without access to quality care.
[1] Prior last name
July 18, 2023 • 2 minutes
March 30, 2023 • 2 minutes