She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duke University and subsequently a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. Prior to joining the Health Policy and Management faculty in 2004, Dr. Averett practiced clinical psychology consultation and supervision for over 20 years in various settings including private practice, a managed care group model HMO, state and private hospitals, and a college counseling center and psychology internship training site. In the Department of Health Policy and Management, Dr. Averett has taught Health Systems, Health Services Ethics, Research Inquiry to Support Evidence-Based Practice, Health and Social Behavior, Instructional Methods in Health Services Education, and Health Care and Social Policies in Sweden and Finland.