Hannah Wade

Position: Senior Population Health Policy Analyst | Hometown: Columbus, IN

Tell us a bit about your journey so far and how you ended up at the Dashboard.

I officially transferred to the Dashboard in September 2023 from the Office of Government and Community Affairs at NYU Langone Health. In the Office of Government and Community Affairs, our team was tuned into the exciting potential of the City Health Dashboard, and now, the Congressional District Health Dashboard, for policymakers nationwide. I’m excited to be in a new position to directly support the Dashboards’ mission to empower jurisdictions across the country to improve the lives of their constituents. As a resident of one of the many smaller cities on the City Health Dashboard, now being able to see information that is specific to my area is inspiring even as an everyday citizen.

What excites you most about the Dashboard and its mission?

I am excited for policymakers and advocates alike to be able to utilize these user-friendly, accessible tools to create evidence-based policy. The use of accurate, trustworthy data is vital in policymaking, and I look forward to seeing tools like the Dashboard for other policy areas in the future. The Dashboard’s transparent approach to data makes it possible for anyone to trust the information source without having to be a data expert.

What’s one metric or focus area that you would like to see added to the Dashboard?

I value that the Dashboard team incorporates user feedback into the development of metrics and will change and add to metrics as issues evolve. This continuous improvement promises to make it a relevant source for policymakers in the years to come as our society focuses on new challenges. I’d like the Dashboard team to consider a metric that measures disaster vulnerability and resiliency, as many communities across the U.S. face the effects of wildfires, tornados, and flooding.

Shirley (Zipei) Liang

Position: Data Analyst | Hometown: Beijing, China

Tell us a bit about your journey so far and how you ended up at the Dashboard.

My professional journey involved combining my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Northeastern University with an MS in Epidemiology from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. During my coursework in geospatial analysis, a project focused on walkability and its impact on health outcomes ignited my passion for working with population health data. It's this newfound enthusiasm that led me to the Dashboard, where I have the opportunity to learn more about this field from a fantastic team!

What’s one metric or focus area that you would like to see added to the Dashboard?

Having started my career as a pharmacist at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to engage with patients during the vaccination process and observed a significant shift in their perception towards vaccinations. I'm very interested in examining vaccination metrics and exploring any potential changes in vaccination completion, particularly in the context of pre- and post-COVID-19.

Beyond work, we’d love to get to know your interests outside the office. Any fun hobbies or special talents?

I've always been passionate about cooking and baking, especially when it comes to Chinese food. And to top it off, I'm trying my hand at growing vegetables in my garden. In my spare time, I enjoy crocheting small items, such as crafting my own headphone cases.

Are you interested in future opportunities to join the team? Be sure to select the “Career Opportunities” interest box when subscribing to the Dashboard’s latest news.