EMU Today

YPSILANTI –Two Eastern Michigan University professors from the College of Health and Human Services were featured in 2020’s Notable Women in Health Care by Crain’s Detroit Business. The list celebrates female leaders in the Michigan health care sector.

On March 16, Professor Tsu-Yin Wu and Assistant Professor Annemarie Kelly were both recognized for excellence in health care research, mentoring, teaching, and service work within the State of Michigan. The women were nominated for the Crain’s Award by their peers in the health care field. Honorees included exceptional doctors, nurses, clinicians, health care teachers, executives, administrators, entrepreneurs, scientists, and more.

Wu teaches in the School of Nursing and serves as the Director of the EMU Center for Health Disparities Innovation and Studies (CHDIS) and the Director of the School of Nursing PhD Program. Her work seeks to improve health care outcomes for vulnerable and underserved individuals within the Asian American community in terms of improving access to healthcare, increasing knowledge among underserved Asian Americans with low health literacy, improving early detection of health issues, and more.

In her 20 years of service to EMU, Dr. Wu’s research has contributed to the understanding of the unequal burden that Asian Americans face. Her research and service highlight the distinct challenges that Asian American populations face and have revealed longstanding and pervasive health disparities among Asian Americans. 

Applying her research findings, Wu has designed and implemented new best practices for culturally sensitive health care programs that promote Asian Americans’ health and well-being.

Through the EMU-CHDIS, which aims to improve the lives of communities by reducing racial and ethnic health disparities of diverse and minority populations in the state of Michigan, the innovative interdisciplinary interventions have bridged the gaps in understanding various cancers, chronic diseases and mental health and lead elimination by Asian Americans and Asians. Her work improves health outcomes among this minority population in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Kelly teaches in the School of Health Sciences and serves as the Co-Director of the EMU Center for Special Needs Planning and Policy. Her research and service work advocate for new legal standards of care to assist and empower individuals with disabilities.

Kelly’s scholarly publications highlight the need for more efficient and cost-effective health/wellness services for individuals within this population. Kelly is a strong proponent for new state laws to protect vulnerable adults with disabilities against online exploitation, aggression, and bullying. In the past year, she has provided pro bono legal services and expert testimony for the Michigan House of Representatives Committee for Families, Seniors, and Children.

Wu can be reached at twu@emich.edu. Kelly can be reached at akelly30@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.