Yolene Gousse

Yolene Gousse, Dr.PH., M.P.H., Assistant Professor/Industry Professional, has held various public health positions in the public and private sectors. Dr. Gousse was accepted to the National Institute of Health (NIH) funded New York University’s Program to Increase Diversity in Behavioral Medicine and Sleep Disorders Research (PRIDE Institute). The overarching goal of the NYU PRIDE Institute is to foster the development of academic careers of underrepresented minority (URM) scientists to increase academic workforce diversity. There, Dr. Gousse developed a research proposal to evaluate the quality of care among minority populations diagnosed with chronic hypertension and diabetes in Queens, NY, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her reseasrch proposal was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH, under the Small Research Project (SRP) initiative of the NYU PRIDE Institute. The current initiative highlights some of Dr. Gousse’s experience working on COVID-19 related projects. Her other research related to COVID-19 includes a pandemic needs assessment for the population of Haiti and a COVID-19 Tracking Application Utilization Assessment in Queens.

Another reason for Dr. Gousse’s return was St. John’s University’s metropolitan and global identity. “The Public Health program and the University’s mission facilitate the continuation of my public health research addressing chronic disease disparities and the socio determinants of health in inner-city communities, while also extending my research globally,” she stressed. Returning to her alma mater provided her with the opportunity to work with communities locally and abroad, which has been an integral part of her life and public health career.

Dr. Gousse firmly believes that research into helping underserved populations is rooted squarely within the University’s Vincentian mission. “This has been a unique opportunity—being able to work with the University that played a key role in shaping my career, character, and values.”