As a Rural Health Equity Postdoctoral Associate through a joint initiative from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and Office of Academic Clinical Affairs, Anna Shetler will work closely with Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith to conduct research on rural mental health and Alzheimer’s disease.
Anna grew up in a progressive Mennonite community that emphasized caring for others and engaging with social issues.
Anna recently completed her PhD in Sociology and Demography at Penn State University, where her dissertation examines how patterns of spatial inequality and residential (im)mobility influence health outcomes later in life.
Although she initially planned to pursue medicine, she discovered a stronger interest in the upstream causes of health, the structural and social factors that shape wellbeing.
This shift in focus led Anna to study neighborhoods, inequality, and health disparities, all through the lens of how contextual social structures influence population health.
As she transitions into her new role at the University of Minnesota, Anna is looking forward to joining a collaborative environment and contributing to meaningful, equity-focused research with real world impact.
The Rural Health Equity Postdoctoral Program is designed to support emerging scholars in becoming innovative leaders in rural health research. Fellows address key knowledge gaps in health policy, with a focus on geographic inequities and rural populations.
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