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 Medical Training Collaborative
Director, Illinois Area Health Education Center Network Program
Teaching Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine
Faculty Affiliate, UIC School of Public Health
Presidential Leadership Scholar
815-395-5784
Kara Fess, MD
Director, Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program
Clinical Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine
815-395-5786
Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper, MSW
Associate Director, Rural Workforce and Center Development
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5902
Karen Peters, DrPH
Associate Director & Lead Evaluator
Illinois Area Health Education Center Network Program
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
815-395-5782
Monica Ackerman
Business Manager
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5693
Elizabeth Squires, MPH, MCHES®
(815) 395-5854
Jessica McGuire, MEd
Assistant Director, Experiential Rural Training and Program Development
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5910
Lisa Masseron
Pathways Program Coordinator
National Center for Rural Health Professions
Email: lisamass@uic.edu
Office : 815-395-5913
Melissa Anderson
Office Support Specialist
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5939
Julie Tackett
Health Professions Education Program Coordinator
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5965
Zhi Li, PhD
Research Specialist
National Center for Rural Health Professions
815-395-5711
Kiruthika Balakrishnan, PhD
Post-Doctorate Scholar in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Rural Medicine
National Center for Rural Health Professions
