Stephen Patrick

Professor
Department of Health Policy and Management
Stephen Patrick

Media Expertise:

Health Policy

Health policy, health services research, pediatrics, neonatology, impact of substance use disorder on pregnant women and infants

Contact Rob Spahr, Director of Public Relations, to request an interview: 
rob.spahr@emory.edu

Bio

Stephen W. Patrick is the O. Wayne Rollins Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health. A practicing neonatologist and health policy scholar, Patrick brings deep clinical insight and national policy experience to his leadership of the department.

With a focus on improving outcomes for pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants, Patrick’s NIH-funded research bridges clinical care, public health, and policy. He has served as a White House Senior Policy Advisor, testified before Congress, and published extensively on substance use, maternal and child health, and Medicaid policy.

At Emory, he maintains an active clinical practice at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, co-directs the Emory Health Services Research Center, and leads the Emory Center for Child Health Policy.

Dr. Patrick’s awards include the American Medical Association Foundation Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award, the Nemours Child Health Services Research Award, the Society for Pediatric Research Young Investigator Award and the Gale and Ira Drukier Prize in Children’s Health Research. He has published more than 140 peer review articles including in leading scientific journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Pediatrics and Health Affairs. He is a frequent contributor to local and national media outlets including the New York Times, PBS News Hour, NBC News, BBC, Washington Post, and more.

Patrick is a dedicated mentor and passionate about ensuring research is shaped by community voices and translated into real-world impact. He believes research should not remain on the shelves of academic journals but instead inform better care, smarter policy, and healthier communities.

Areas of Interest

  • Addiction/Substance Abuse
  • Adolescent Health/Child Health
  • Health Disparities
  • Health Management
  • Health Outcomes
  • Health Policy
  • Health Services Research
  • Healthcare Systems
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Mental Health
  • Public Health Policy
  • Substance Use/Harm Reduction