NCRHP’s faculty and staff are experts in addressing rural health needs

and have been nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to the field.

Hana Hinkle, PhD, MPH

Assistant Dean, Rural Health Professions

Director,  National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP)

Executive Director-Elect, Rural Training Track Collaborative

Director, Illinois Area Health Education Center Network Program

Research Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine

Faculty Affiliate, UIC School of Public Health

Presidential Leadership Scholar

hhinkle1@uic.edu

815-395-5784

Kara Fess, MD

Director, Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program

Clinical Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine

kfess@uic.edu

815-395-5786

Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper, MSW

Associate Director, Rural Workforce and Center Development

National Center for Rural Health Professions

vweide1@uic.edu

815-395-5902

Karen Peters, DrPH

Associate Director & Lead Evaluator

Illinois Area Health Education Center Network Program

kpeters@uic.edu

815-395-5906

Mark Meurer, MS

Associate Director of Recruiting, Public Relations and Marketing

Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program and National Center for Rural Health Professions

mmeurer@uic.edu

815-395-5782

Monica Ackerman

Business Manager

National Center for Rural Health Professions

monicaa@uic.edu

815-395-5693

Elizabeth Squires, MPH, MCHES®

Assistant Director of External & Pathways Programs
National Center for Rural Health Professions

esquires@uic.edu

(815) 395-5854

Jessica McGuire, MEd

Assistant Director, Experiential Rural Training and Program Development

National Center for Rural Health Professions

jam226@uic.edu

815-395-5910

Lisa Masseron

Pathways Program Coordinator

National Center for Rural Health Professions

Email: lisamass@uic.edu

Office : 815-395-5913

Sandra Robison

Office Support Specialist

National Center for Rural Health Professions

robisons@uic.edu

815-395-5780

Melissa Horton

Office Support Specialist

National Center for Rural Health Professions

horton22@uic.edu

815-395-5939

Julie Tackett

Health Professions Education Program Coordinator

National Center for Rural Health Professions

jtackett@uic.edu

815-395-5965

Zhi Li, PhD

Research Specialist

National Center for Rural Health Professions

zhi9@uic.edu

815-395-5711

Kiruthika Balakrishnan, PhD

Post-Doctorate Scholar in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Rural Medicine

National Center for Rural Health Professions

bkiruthi@uic.edu