Elisa Childs, PhD, MSW, LCSW is Assistant Research Scientist for The University of Iowa School of Social Work's, National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice in The Center for Public Health Evaluation and Research. Dr. Child's conducts research and evaluation for CDC-funded public health programs focusing on health promotion, chronic disease prevention, mental health evidence-based practices, and has special interest and expertise in research and evaluation of expanding rural health care access and eliminating disparities related to social determinants of health, emphasizing medically underserved areas with high older adult populations. Prior to coming to Iowa, Elisa worked in the health care field as a hospice social worker and Director of Social Services for one of the largest skilled nursing facilities in Southern California. Recognized for her potential to influence older adults’ health outcomes and quality of life through her research, Elisa was awarded the national honor of Pre-Dissertation Fellow by the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work, where she is continues as an active member. Dr. Childs earned her PhD in Social Work from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA specializing in qualitative and quantitative methods, public health and aging, and Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.