She received a Ph.D., MD., and M.PH. from the Johns Hopkins University and spent 17 years as an activist/researcher or participant/observer in East Baltimore during and after training at the Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Past and current writings address social determinants and health, social capital, and urban health disparities in mental health care in incarcerated populations; disparities in substance use treatment; mental health care in the primary health care setting; community organizing and development; and mindfulness practices in organizing. She spends her time between Baltimore City and County.