As the Director of the Health Equity Scholars (HES) program, Rosenny “Rosey” Taveras is responsible for directing the mission and goals of the  program and serves as a resource for prospective and enrolled HES participants. She manages all elements of the program, including student support, the planning of workshops, lectures, and leadership experiences that engage experts from the University and beyond.

Since joining Brown in 2013 Rosey has worked with students in various levels of their career, with her main area of focus being graduate students. Prior to working with the HES program, Rosey managed the Initiative to Maximize Student Development program at Brown which provides doctoral graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields with professional development opportunities, academic support, training and community. She is a returning member of the School of Public Health staff where she previously worked in the Academic Affairs team. Rosey brings her experience in student support, professional development, partnership building and mentorship to facilitate and help foster an inclusive community of learners.

Jai-Me joined Brown in 2018 and worked for several years as the Manager of the Diversity and Inclusion Office at the School of Public Health. In 2021, Jai-Me became the inaugural Director of the Health Equity Scholars program before transitioning into the Assistant Dean role in June of 2022.

Prior to coming to Brown, Jai-Me worked in healthcare, first at the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry as the Manager of the Provider’s Clinical Support System-Buprenorphine and then as the Manager of Simulation Services for the Care New England Health System. Jai-Me studied behavioral neuroscience at Simmons University and has a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and management from Salve Regina University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Salve Regina, focusing on the role storytelling plays in racial trauma, how healthcare is accessed, health equity, and more broadly, racism in America. Jai-Me also holds a faculty appointment at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University. 

Erica Walker is currently RGSS Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, where she leads the Community Noise Lab. She has been a strong supporter and advocate for the Health Equity Scholars (HES) program since she arrived at Brown, and several HES students have collaborated with Walker on research projects, including her ongoing work in Mississippi.

As the faculty program adviser, Walker is primarily responsible for:

• Identifying and applying for funding opportunities to support the HES program
• Mentoring students as they matriculate through their RA-ships, develop their research interests, and explore possibilities for additional graduate work in the field
• Developing and providing health-equity-focused projects, workshops, and courses for students in the HES program  
• Supporting Health Equity Scholars at formal meetings and events