Martha Monroy, EdD, focuses on community-based participatory research and programs designed to address health inequities experienced by racial and ethnic minority communities. Her expertise includes collaboration with community health workers to improve border health, Latino health, women’s health, maternal and child health, and community health. Dr. Monroy offers a wealth of experience conducting community assessments, as well as planning and evaluating community led social justice initiatives.  

As the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Coalition, she provides technical assistance on health equity and the social determinants of health to community led initiatives, and to local, regional, and national organizations. Also in her role with the National REACH Coalition board, Dr. Monroy collaboratively produced a national webinar series focused on community resilience and health equity. She has served as Principal Investigator (PI) and co- investigator on initiatives funded by the CDC and other federal agencies.  Her research and service work often integrates arts-based approaches, using a mixed-methods design including digital stories and digital storytelling to deliver both qualitative and quantitative data.

In addition to teaching both undergraduate and graduate level classes, Dr. Monroy guides students at all levels to research and service opportunities focused on health equity.  She particularly seeks to support students from historically marginalized communities, and enjoys mentoring first-generation students.  In compliment to her public health work, Dr. Monroy has an affiliated faculty appointment with the Applied Intercultural Arts Research Graduate Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Arizona.

Research Interests

• Health Equity and Social Justice
• Healthcare and work force development specifically focused on resilience, patient and relationship centered care, Health Equity and Social Justice
• Women’s Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Community Health Workers
• Latino Health

Education

2023, Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership/ Higher Education Administration, Northern Arizona University

1988, MA, Sociology, University of Arizona

1985, BA, Sociology, University of Arizona

Selected Publications

Cosgrove, S., Moore-Monroy, M., Jenkins, C., Castillo, S. R., Williams, C., Parris, E., Tran, J. H., Rivera, M. D., & Brownstein, J. N. (2014). Community health workers as an integral strategy in the REACH U.S. program to eliminate health inequities. Health Promotion Practice, 15(6), 795–802.

Homedes, N., Guernsey de Zapien, J., Denman, C., Haro, J.A., Moore-Monroy, M., LaBrec, P., & Schwarz, I. (1992). From division to coalition: Building bridges across the Arizona-Sonora border. Border Health/Salud Fronteriza, 3(3), 32-40.

Hill, A., De Zapien, J. G., Staten, L. K., Jean McClelland, D., Garza, R., Moore-Monroy, M., Elenes, J. J., Steinfelt, V., Tittelbaugh, I., Whitmer, E., & Meister, J. S. (2007). From program to policy: Expanding the role of community coalitions. Preventing Chronic Disease, 4(4).

Hopkins, A. L., Moore-Monroy, M., Wilkinson-Lee, A. M., Nuño, V. L., Armenta, A., Lopez, E., Vanzzini, S., & Garcia, F. A. (2016). It's complicated: Negotiating between traditional research and community-based participatory research in a translational study. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 10(3), 425–433.

Kutcher, R., Moore-Monroy, M., Bello, E., Doyle, S., Ibarra, J., Kunz, S., & Alfero, C. (2016). Promotores as advocates for community improvement: Experiences of the western states REACH Su Comunidad Consortium: Erratum. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 39(1), 321–332.

Moore-Monroy, M. (2004). Santa Cruz County Community Advocacy and Action Tool Kit. Mesa Public Health Associates.

Moore-Monroy, M. Community partnerships: A study of the impact of Arizona rural health programs (1991 – 2004), rural health care services outreach grant program, and rural health network development grant program [Monograph]. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Moore-Monroy, M., Rosales, C., Coe, K., Guernsey de Zapien, J., Meister, J., Barajas, S., & Swanson, G. (2008). Innovative solutions: Engaging nontraditional partners to reduce health disparities. Manifestation: Journal of Community Engaged Research and Learning Partnerships, 1(1).

Moore-Monroy, M., Wilkinson-Lee, A., Lewandowski, D., & Armenta, A. (2016). No hay pero lucha que la que no se hace: Re-negotiating cycling in a Latino community. In A. Golub, M. Hoffmann, A. Lugo, & G.F. Sandoval (Eds.), Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation: Biking for All? Routledge Press.

Languages Spoken

English and Spanish

Currently Teaching

HPS 532A: Applied Aspects of Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

HPS 495: CUREs course Immersive Experiences in Women’s Health Research

HPS 387: Minority Health and Health Disparities

Selected Research Projects

The Power is in the Tale: Integrating digital stories in patient-relationship care.
Martha Moore-Monroy
2022-2023

ADHS Title V Maternal and Child Qualitative Health Assessment
John Ehiri, Priscila Magrath, Martha Moore Monroy, Nicole Yuan
2018-2020

Bike Ajo Rural Cycling Hub
Martha Moore-Monroy, Donna Lewandowski, Elaine Mariole, Ada Wilkinson-Lee
2015-2017

Connections for Healthy Women
Francisco Garcia, Allison Hopkins, Ada Wilkinson-Lee, Martha Moore-Monroy
2014-2017

Reach Out for Healthier Communities
Francisco Garcia, Ada Wilkinson-Lee, Allison Hopkins, Martha Moore-Monroy
2013-2015

REACH: Su Comunidad Consortium
Martha Moore-Monroy
2012-2014

REACH Nutri-Bike Coalition
Martha Moore-Monroy, Ada Wilkinson-Lee
2012-2014