Christopher Simenz, PhD, MS

Dr. Christopher Simenz serves as an associate professor and associate director for the MPH and DrPH Programs at the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Institute for Health & Equity and the Department of Family and Community Medicine. For over two decades, Dr. Simenz has collaborated with diverse partners in community-engaged research, policy development, and systems change initiatives, emphasizing the social determinants of health (SDOH) and the role of physical activity and wellness in promoting public and community health. In collaboration with colleagues, he has implemented numerous policy and systems changes aimed at equitable health improvement. These efforts have involved partnerships with a wide range of populations, including children, adolescents, and senior refugees, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of individuals in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin. His work with community-based doulas, birthing persons, and families is a natural extension of this commitment.

Dr. Simenz’s work is driven by a deep commitment to advancing health equity across all settings. Guided by a focus on community and public health, his mission is to act as a partner and ally to communities marginalized by oppressive economic, health, and social systems. His efforts are aimed at fostering policy and systems changes to address structural inequities. His research and policy initiatives encompass various social drivers of health inequities, including access to healthcare, nutrition insecurity, homelessness, joblessness, and the broader impacts of systemic oppression on community health. A primary focus of his work is the development of multi-sector partnerships that emphasize primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies to promote health and reduce reliance on traditional medical care systems. Currently, Dr. Simenz is working in partnership with the African American Breastfeeding Network (AABN), The Doula Village MKE, Black Space HQ, NourishMKE, and WeRISE Doulas to support maternal and child health outcomes via connection to community-based doula care.

Outside of the workplace, Dr. Simenz supports community health via his roles as a board member on the North Shore Board of Health, the North Shore Overdose Fatality Review Team, and as a board member at StreetLife Communities, providing outreach and support to those at risk of and experiencing homelessness.

In his spare time, Dr. Simenz enjoys time with family, travel, live music and film.

• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Health Equity Community Engagement Food
• Nutrition Insecurity Housing
• Homelessness Healthcare
• Public Health connection