Eric S. Armbrecht

Education:

Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Ph.D., Health Services Research / Outcomes Research, May 2007

Work Experience:

• St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, Director of Health Improvement (current): responsible for planning and evaluation of employer investments in chronic disease management, prevention behaviors and health literacy
• Open Health LLC, Principal (current): provide public health planning and outcomes research services to government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations
• Washington University Diabetes Center, Co-Principal Investigator (current): part of program and research team for community-based diabetes self-management education
• St. Louis Diabetes Coalition, Executive Director (2002-2007): led community-based organization dedicated to improving diabetes awareness, education and quality of care

Why did you choose SLU for your graduate degree(s)?

After college at the University of Notre Dame, I worked for a few years for a management consulting firm in Cleveland, Ohio. I believe that working in the so-called real world influenced my choice of graduate school. I liked SLU because it struck a balance between the esoteric and pragmatic. It was the program’s curriculum and faculty scholarship that drew me to SLU, but what turned out to be more important over time was how accessible and supportive the faculty members were. High-quality teachers who are committed to student development helped set SLU apart from other research universities. SLU’s location in a major city provided ample opportunities for entertainment and culture to enhance student life. A commitment to education in the Catholic tradition also distinguished SLU. I sought a place that valued values, like social justice, and opened dialogue on matters of faith and science, religion and public policy… as well as the issues of my discipline.

What factors contributed to your experience at SLU?

First, SLU offered an experience to develop as an independent researcher. It seems common for graduate students to take on the work of their advisors, but my SLU experience fostered development of my own research agenda. Secondly, my doctoral program encouraged interdisciplinary learning. Graduate studies require intense focus on the theories and methods in one’s field, but my SLU experience encouraged the cross-pollination of ideas from different academic disciplines. Lastly, and most importantly, my mentor and doctoral program advisors stuck with me. Graduate school can be tough for oodles of reasons, but it seems to be tough for many because life gets in the way. Marriage and baby were just a few “distractions” that I had. Working with faculty members who appreciated the importance of having balance in life made it possible for me to succeed in graduate school.

How does your SLU education help you on your career path?

While the theories and technical skills that I learned were especially important during the semesters I studied them, my SLU experience taught me how to work hard and smart. I had to juggle priorities, set goals, motivate others, and practice self-discipline during graduate school. I do the same things at work every day. My SLU education has prepared me for a career that works at the intersection of economics, public health and medicine in a variety of leadership roles within business, academic, government and community-based organizations. I have met amazing people via SLU who have generously guided my career with new experiences, advice, and contacts. I am grateful for the network of people who have created the opportunities that are building my professional life. I am even more grateful to a SLU classmate who introduced me to my wife.

Why would you recommend a student attend SLU?

Choosing a graduate school program is about finding the right fit. The personality of one professor can be the reason one student chooses SLU; another can make her pick based on a specific curriculum. I recommend that most people take a good look at SLU. Why? SLU offered me opportunities to learn new research methods, sharpen critical reasoning, refine communication skills, purse personal research interests, and develop spiritually. A SLU education in public health is well-suited for careers in academics, public service, and industry. I recommend that students seek places, like SLU, where the graduate school experience can be tailored to their career goals. I believe that SLU may be an especially good fit for students who want to make contributions to SLU’s ongoing evolution as a unique offering in higher education. Education is about making contributions to the university community, as well as earning a degree.

Research & Publications:

Dissertation:

Study of a Pattern Classification System For Managing Glycemic Control of Patients With Diabetes

Selected Publications:

Armbrecht ES. (2008, April 30). Collaboratively, consistently, and carefully: How employers should reward workers striving toward wellness [column]. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pp 3B. [column]

Armbrecht ES. Employer health and wellness initiatives: Findings from an assessment of 47 leading employers in the St. Louis region. St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, 2007. [report]

Armbrecht ES, Covelli T, McKinney K, Gentry D, Scharff D, Kurz R, Fruend R. Community health infrastructure assessment. St. Louis Regional Health Commission, 2005. [report]

Nanda U, McLendon P, Andresen E, Armbrecht ES. The SIP68: An abbreviated Sickness Impact Profile for disability outcomes research. Quality of Life Research Journal. 2003 Aug; 12(5): 583-595. [journal article]

Armbrecht ES, Bortz JB. The Blood Glucose Pattern Index: An algorithm for detecting and re-porting patterns in self-monitored blood glucose data. Second Annual Diabetes Technology Meeting. Atlanta, GA, 2002. [journal poster]

Wolinsky FD, Armbrecht ES, Wyrwich KW. Rethinking functional limitation pathways. Gerontologist. 2000 Apr; 40(2):137-46. [journal article]