New Division Chief, Health Informatics and Implementation Science - Dr. Ben Gerber

Dr. Ben Gerber joins us as Professor and Division Chief, in the Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science.  Ben is an internist and researcher coming from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research interests include diabetes self-management and health behavior promotion through technology and health services delivery redesign. He has extensive experience in the design, development, and implementation of mobile health (mHealth) solutions targeting low-income, minority populations with limited access to healthcare services. His research group has involved health coaching weight-management interventions, 2-way text messaging support, multimedia education, mobile app development and implementation, and physiologic measures including wearables for real-time engagement. Currently, he is leading a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the use of mHealth in diabetes adherence support, including clinical pharmacists and community health workers collaborating in team-management. Additionally, he co-founded the Precision Lifestyle Medicine and Translation Research (PREMIER) Postdoctoral Training Program at UIC. He is passionate about mentoring and training the next generation of research scientists.