Health is a fundamental human right.

We work to ensure access to health care for over 450 million deaf people across the globe.

Center for Deaf Health Equity conducts patient-centered research to link accessibility to health outcomes among deaf and hard of hearing individuals. We research and share findings because we believe deaf people deserve equitable access to health care.

Our research lab is one of 18 labs here at Gallaudet University within Academic Affairs and the Provost’s Office oversees our efforts

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Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar

Center Director & Associate Professor
B.A. in Psychology at Gallaudet University; M.A. in Psychology at the University of Houston; and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at the University of Houston. Postdoctoral training in Public Health Services and Preventive Medicine at the University of Washington and University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar directs the Center for Deaf Health Equity at Gallaudet University.

She is the principal investigator of National Institute of Health (NIH) and has received awards that total over $4 million dollars. These grants support studies aligned with her primary research interests in deaf patient-reported and health outcomes.

Meet the Team

Deaf Health Equity Center

Katja Jacobs, BA

Research Assistant
Deaf Health Equity Center

Ai Takayama, MSN, MA

Research Associate
Deaf Health Equity Center

Donalda Ammons, Ed.D.


Collaborator

Deaf Health Equity Center

Isabella Walker, BA

Research Assistant
Deaf Health Equity Center

Malik Mikhail, BA

Research Assistant
Deaf Health Equity Center

Alina Engelman, Dr. PH

Faculty Collaborator


Center for Deaf Health Equity Alumni

Deaf Health Equity Center

Abbi Simons, MS


Deaf Health Equity Center

Alex Leffers, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Andrew Biskupiak, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Brianna Keogh, BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Cara Miller, PhD


Deaf Health Equity Center

Claire Ryan, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Connor McLaren, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Gideon Firl, BS


Deaf Health Equity Center

Isabelle Troup BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Isabelle Diaz, BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Julia Velasquez, BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Juliana Holcomb, BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Kaela Luttrell BS


Deaf Health Equity Center

Keith Sanfacon, MS


Deaf Health Equity Center

Lori DeWindt, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Raylene Paludneviciene, PhD


Deaf Health Equity Center

Sajiran Nadarajah, BA


Deaf Health Equity Center

Tara Holcomb, MA


Deaf Health Equity Center

TraciAnn Hoglind, MPH