Julia Elitzer, DrPH

Senior Consultant

Health Management Associates

Phoenix, AZ

[javascript protected email address]

(415) 489-2021

Julia Elitzer specializes in the analysis of healthcare utilization, public health programming and health intervention evaluation. As a qualitative researcher and green belt in Lean Management, Julia employs root cause analysis diagramming and analytic software to identify and address barriers to program implementation. Julia strategically translates her research into actionable solutions and marketable products.

Her most recent fieldwork focused on eliminating health disparities among vulnerable populations. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, one of Julia’s intellectual interests and areas of expertise focuses around U.S. – Mexico border health. As acting general manager of the binational U.S. – Mexico Border Health Commission, Julia brought together healthcare and community leaders from two countries and 10 border states to collaboratively improve the health and quality of life of border residents. She advanced strategic priorities including access to care, chronic disease management, and maternal and child health. She facilitated cooperative agreements to support binational programming related to childhood immunizations and epidemiologic surveillance.

Prior to joining HMA, Julia analyzed patient-reported outcomes for late phase chronic disease-related pharmaceuticals. Projects included survey creation and data analysis to identify key research findings. Using quality improvement frameworks, Julia studied the utilization of hospital services, contributing to new methods for streamlining outpatient care among El Salvadoran patients of a Boston-based community health system.

An accomplished scholar, Julia earned her doctorate degree in public health with focus on social and behavioral sciences from Boston University. Her dissertation examined outpatient clinical pharmacist-inclusive collaborative care teams addressing diabetes care management. Working toward her master’s degree in public health and bachelor’s degree in community health and Spanish at Tufts University, Julia received the prestigious Presidential Award for Citizenship and Public Service and was tapped as a Truman Scholar for her leadership and commitment to public service.

Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Julia loves to run and paint watercolor landscapes of the desert.