Elsie Perez

Elsie Perez is a renowned Professor of Public Health at the University of Miami, and the Founding Director of the Center for Global Health, Empathy, and Cultural Studies (www.miami.edu/cghes). Internationally celebrated for her pioneering efforts in integrating empathy into global health practices, Elsie has become a leading voice at the intersection of healthcare, cultural understanding, and community-driven solutions.

Elsie earned her Ph.D. from UCLA in 2005, where she was awarded for her groundbreaking thesis on the role of empathy in bridging cultural divides within underserved communities. Her academic journey included teaching at the David Geffen School of Medicine, inspiring future generations of doctors to prioritize patient-centered care.

In recent years, Elsie's research has focused on how empathetic approaches can improve health outcomes in diverse populations. In 2018, her work with refugee communities in Jordan led to an invitation to join the Advisory Board of Doctors Without Borders. She served as a key advisor on the Global Health Ethics Committee and was honored by the World Health Organization in 2022 for her exceptional contributions to public health.

Elsie established the Empathy Across Borders Initiative in 2019 with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This initiative supports research, workshops, and educational programs that explore the impact of empathy on global health challenges. To date, the program has supported over 50 research projects at institutions ranging from Oxford to Kyoto University, all focusing on how empathic interactions can lead to better health results; it also organizes an annual symposium attended by 700 delegates from more than 30 countries, connecting leaders in global health, anthropology, and grassroots activism.

Dr. Perez has published over 120 articles in top-tier journals like The Lancet, Nature Medicine, and Social Science & Medicine. She authored four books on empathy in healthcare, including "Bridges of Empathy: Connecting Cultures for Better Health" and "The Power of Compassion in Global Health," both published by Harvard University Press. Her latest book, "Healing Hands: The Art of Empathic Care," came out in September 2024.

Elsie calls Coral Gables, Florida, home, where she continues to inspire change and advocate for empathetic global health policies.