Rory Cusack Weier, PhD MPH
My Professional and Academic Backgrounds
I am experienced across community health, academic research, value-based healthcare reform, and healthcare information technology sectors. I manage software products that facilitate cross-functional collaboration in pursuit of healthcare's quadruple aim: improving patient care, population health, and provider experience while reducing per capita cost. I am excited to expand my legacy to include patient advocacy outside of helping my immediate family and friends.
I earned a Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology and a minor in Geographical Information Systems from The Ohio State University, conducting research and writing peer reviewed journal articles as part of the Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities funded by the National Institute of Health and the Appalachian Community Cancer Network funded by the National Cancer Institute. I was previously adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University teaching Introduction to Population-Based Epidemiology and am currently a learning facilitator for the MIT Sloan Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Online Program.
Healthcare = A Personal Conviction
I witnessed healthcare's pitfalls at a young age as my mother coordinated care for my maternal grandmother Janet's early onset Alzheimer’s and, decades later, when my maternal grandfather Bernie succumbed to the same disease.
My mother Jeri has remained a steadfast Alzheimer's Association volunteer and fundraiser. I ran the 2011 Columbus Marathon as an Alz Star in memory of my maternal grandparents and my husband's paternal Grandmother Virginia.
Bulldogs = My Love Language
My favorite way to spend time off the clock is volunteering with Buckeye Bulldog Rescue. My husband Jason and I have bulldogs of our own and we have been volunteering since 2015, making many memories and cherished friends. Here are some of the bullies I chauffeured in 2020 alone, including my foster now named Bijou in top right hand corner. Many were rescued internationally to escape the meat trade, surrendered by owner, or retired from a puppy mill.
Low Odds = I'm Highly Odd
According to CliftonStrengths, my top 5 strengths are a one in 33 million combination. High school graduation cap embellishment photo for emphasis.
1) Achiever: internal fire pushing to do more, achieve more
2) Futuristic: see in detail what the future might hold
3) Belief: have certain values that are enduring
4) Relator: deliberately encourage deep relationships
5) Learner: always drawn to the process of learning
Daria = My Doppelgänger
Is it the dark hair, glasses, intelligence, and/or deadpan expression? Comparisons to MTV's cynical animated high school student are a compliment. When reminded by her mom that people are judged by their expressions, Daria said "...I believe there is something intrinsically wrong with that system. I have dedicated myself to changing it.” That is how I feel about leaving the broken U.S. healthcare system better than my family and I found it.