Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH

• Medical College of Wisconsin – PhD, Public and Community Health
• University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health – Primary Care Research Fellowship

Bio

Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH (she/her/hers) joined DFMCH in 2025 as a fellow. Neal is a public health researcher committed to advancing health equity and improving maternal and child outcomes for historically marginalized communities.

Neal earned her PhD in public and community health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Using mixed-methods approaches, her dissertation focused on the impact of racism, stress, and resilience on adverse pregnancy outcomes among African American women in Milwaukee, WI. Her dissertation received national and local recognition, including the American Heart Association’s Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Science and Medical College of Wisconsin’s Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Dissertation awards.

In July 2025, she started the T32 Primary Care Research Fellowship in the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, where she plans to expand her research on stress, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Teaching Interests

Neal is passionate about teaching topics related to health equity, health disparities, social determinants of health, and community-engaged research.

Research Interests

Neal’s research interests include maternal health equity and social determinants of health. Her dissertation work investigated the impact of racism, stress, and resilience on adverse pregnancy outcomes among African American/Black birthing people. As a researcher, she dedicates her time to exploring social and structural factors that contribute to health disparities.

Publications and Presentations

My Bibliography

• Quinn KG, Harris MJ, Valencia J, et al. A qualitative examination of the mental health effects of direct and indirect police violence on Black adults. Soc Sci Med. 2024.
• Marion E, Dellinger MJ, Enriquez FJ, et al. Pregnant women’s perceptions of cannabinoid use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WMJ. 2024;123(6):503–507.
• Hoffman C, Harris M, Acharya K, et al. Impact of systematic screening for social determinants of health in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol. Published online 2024. doi:10.1038/s41372-024-02096-x.
• Harris M, Cusatis R, Malnory M, et al. Identifying barriers and facilitators to care for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia after NICU discharge: a prospective study of parents and clinical stakeholders. J Perinatol. Published online January 26, 2024. doi:10.1038/s41372-024-01880-z.
• Harris M, Sherrod D, Walsh JL, et al. The influence of racism in healthcare: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black mothers in Chicago. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. Published online 2023. doi:10.1007/s40615-023-01708-0.

Honors and Awards

• 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Advancing Public Health Dissertation Award – Medical College of Wisconsin
• 2022 Greg Alexander Outstanding Student Presentation Award – American Public Health Association, Maternal and Child Health Section
• 2016 Milwaukee Health Department Promising Practitioner Award – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee