01 Jul Dr. Isomi Miake-Lye Appointed New EMPH Program Director
A Letter from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management Professor and Endowed Chair Dr. Ninez Ponce
I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Isomi Miake-Lye will be taking on a new role in the EMPH program as Program Director, beginning July 2025.
Dr. Miake-Lye received her PhD in Health Policy and Management at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in 2016. An Adjunct Assistant Professor in the EMPH program for over six years, Dr. Miake-Lye teaches the “Practices of Evaluation in Health Services: Theory and Methodology” course with Dr. Becky Yano. While serving as the faculty advisor for current EMPH students this past year, Dr. Miake-Lye has been conducting a thorough evaluation of the EMPH program, the cornerstone of the Health Policy & Management Department, focusing on next steps and the future direction of the program started by Dr. Paul Torrens thirty years ago.
Dr. Miake-Lye has devoted the last 17 years as a researcher at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. She has expertise in evidence synthesis, mixed methods research, implementation science, and organizational behavior. Her research focuses on how the organization of health systems affects the use of evidence and evidence-based practices. She is the Co-Director of the VA Evidence Synthesis Program in West Los Angeles and the Assistant Director of Communications at the Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development (VA HSR&D) Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy. Dr. Miake-Lye holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies from USC.
I would like to recognize the incredible work of Kyle Sullivan, Director of the Executive Programs in Health Policy and Management, and especially thank her for serving as the Interim EMPH Director for the past two years. Her collaboration and insight helped direct the EMPH Transition Committee to identify the program’s next leader. During Kyle’s time as EMPH Interim Director, her focus on recruitment efforts and alumni re-engagement played a key role in revitalizing the program and boosting enrollment. Her leadership is greatly appreciated and the value she brings to the program cannot be understated. Her relationships with the alumni, faculty, and industry stakeholders are integral to the success of this executive-style program. Kyle will continue to work closely with Dr. Miake-Lye as part of the leadership team for the program.
I’d also like to thank the alumni and faculty members who were part of the program review last year.
I’m excited about the direction of the EMPH program and look forward to UCLA carrying on the tradition of building the next generation of healthcare leaders with Dr. Isomi Miake-Lye at the helm.
Sincerely,
Ninez A. Ponce, PhD, MPP
Professor and Fred & Pamela Wasserman Endowed Chair
Department of Health Policy and Management
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health