Turning data into healthier communities.
I'm M. Christina Dogbey, MPH, PMPc — a public health leader with more than a decade directing program evaluation, real-world data analysis, and grant-funded research that informs policy.
A career built on evidence.
I direct complex research initiatives, manage diverse teams, and secure grant funding for work that improves public health outcomes — most recently leading a $2.3 million mixed-methods evaluation for the State of New Jersey.
My expertise spans chronic disease surveillance, outbreak response, and stakeholder engagement. I translate analysis into health policy, and policy into healthier communities.
Selected work.
- 2024 — 2025
Reproductive & Maternal Health Program Director
Rutgers University School of Public Health- Spearheaded research for the Nurture NJ Evaluation, a $2.3M mixed-methods evaluation informing state health policy.
- Directed the $300K CenteringPregnancy Evaluation, delivering an impactful report on schedule.
- Engaged the Office of the First Lady of NJ, philanthropies, and community groups to elevate research visibility.
- Maintained 100% IRB compliance across the grant cycle.
- 2020 — 2023
Epidemiologist
University of Pennsylvania — Wellness at Penn- Led the 2023 ACHA-NCHA implementation, shaping clinical interventions and university wellness strategy.
- Built chronic-disease and injury surveillance systems on EMR data with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Served as outbreak data analysis expert for Mpox and COVID-19 university response.
- Mentored public health fellows through project planning and delivery.
- 2017 — 2019
Tuberculosis Surveillance Epidemiology Manager
Philadelphia Department of Public Health- Oversaw electronic disease notification, strengthening assessments for immigrants and refugees.
- Aligned Nursing, Field, Clerical, and Surveillance teams to meet TB program goals.
- Secured annual federal funding through grant writing, logic modeling, and evaluation planning.
- 2007 — 2017
Epidemiologist Surveillance Specialist
Philadelphia Department of Public Health- Built a comprehensive TB surveillance data management system, improving reporting accuracy.
- Managed extended contact investigations across hospitals and nursing homes.
- Represented Philadelphia in the CDC Program Evaluation Network.
How I work.
Selected writing & research.
- Journal Article
Women of Color's Perinatal Experiences: New Insights from a Large Qualitative Study in New Jersey
Kantor, L.M., Adams, C., Akhimien, C., Abdulkadir, F.A., Battle, C., Oluwayemi, M., Salimon, O., Won, S.H., Ibitoye, M., Dogbey, M.C., Alspaugh, A.
Behavioral Medicine
- Report
Turning Policy into Progress: How New Jersey Is Advancing Maternal and Infant Health
Kantor, L.M., Perez, A.L., Desir, M., Shamszad, K., Blumenfeld, J., Lindberg, L., Rokicki, S., Dogbey, M.C., Merchant, E., Won, S., Eliason, E., Schwimmer, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health & NJ Health Care Quality Institute
- Policy Brief
Tracking the Progress of Connecting NJ: Linking Families to Services
Muchomba, F.M., Lindberg, L., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Policy Brief
Tracking Family Connects NJ in Action: Advancing Maternal and Child Health and Expanding Equity Statewide
Muchomba, F.M., Lindberg, L., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Policy Brief
Assessing the Availability of Maternity Care Services at NJ Hospitals: Access to Midwives, Doulas and Lactation Consultants
Rokicki, S., Lindberg, L., Blumenfeld, J., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Report
CenteringPregnancy in New Jersey: Results of a Mixed Methods Evaluation
Kantor, L., Adams, C., Akhimien, C., Allibay Abdulkadir, F., Battle, C., Oluwayemi, M., Salimon, O., Dogbey-Smith, C., Merchant, E., Alspaugh, A., Won, S.H., Andrews, T., Francis, E.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Report
Ripple Effects: Exploring the Indirect Effects of Nurture NJ
Lindberg, L., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Blumenfeld, J., Kolios, K., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Policy Brief
Progress in Reducing the Low-Risk Cesarean Birth Rate in New Jersey: An Examination of Data from 2016–2023
Rokicki, S., Lindberg, L., Blumenfeld, J., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Report
Following the Science: New Jersey's Policy Approaches to Improving Maternal and Infant Health
Kantor, L., Blumenfeld, J., Lindberg, L., Rokicki, S., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Merchant, E., Won, S., Eliason, E.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Policy Brief
Nurture NJ: Progress in Increasing Access to Paid Family Leave in New Jersey, An Evidence-Based Strategy for Improving Maternal and Infant Health
Rokicki, S., Lindberg, L., Dogbey-Smith, M.C., Kantor, L.
Rutgers School of Public Health
- Journal Article
Co-Recovery of Mycobacterium avium Complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Predictive Value of Positive Sputum Smear and Significance of Early Recovery of Mycobacterium avium Complex
Dogbey-Smith, M.C., & Schlossberg, D.
Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, 24(6), 337–338
- Journal Article
Mental Health First Aid Training for the Bhutanese Refugee Community in the United States
Subedi, P., Li, C., Gurung, A., Bizune, D., Dogbey, M.C., Johnson, C.C., Yun, K.
International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 9:20
- Journal Article
Evaluation of latent tuberculosis infection and treatment completion for refugees in Philadelphia, PA, 2010–2012
Subedi, P., Drezner, K.A., Dogbey, M.C., Newbern, E.C., Yun, K., Scott, K.C., Garland, J.M., Altschuler, M.J., Johnson, C.C.
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 19(5), 565–9
Service to the field.
- 2023 — 2026
Philadelphia Immunization Coalition
Board Member · Philadelphia, PA - 2022 — 2023
Philadelphia Tuberculosis Elimination Board
Voting Member · Philadelphia, PA - 2014 — 2016
CDC — TB Program Evaluation Network Steering Committee
Co-Chair · Atlanta, GA - 2010 — 2018
Charles P. Felton National TB Center
Consultant · New York, NY
EvoQ Insights
Boutique Health Consulting
Evidence with empathy. Strategy with purpose. Impact with integrity.
As principal consultant, I partner with public health agencies, foundations, and community organizations to design rigorous research, evaluate programs, and turn findings into action. Learn more and book a meeting at www.evoqinsights.com.
- Program Evaluation→
- Grant Writing & Strategy→
- Data Governance & Research→
- Strategic Planning & Advisory→
- Community Assessment→
- Meeting Facilitation→