Desireé N. Williford, PhD, MPH

I am a pediatric psychologist and researcher interested in understanding social drivers of health (SDOH, sometimes called social determinants of health) to promote equity in diabetes health and psychosocial outcomes. My overall goal is to help youth and families live their best life while normalizing and navigating the challenges of burdensome and complex diabetes regimens. This includes work aimed at identifying strategies to support thriving, particularly in communities that face unique social challenges.

Aligned with models of pediatric self-management and SDOH, my work targets multiple systems, including the youth living with diabetes, their families, their communities and other support networks, and the healthcare environments in which they interact. My work also emphasizes community engagement and partnership, including in the coproduction and evaluation of strengths-based behavioral interventions for young people living with diabetes and their families with the goal of advancing their relevance and impact on physical health and psychosocial well-being.

Throughout my clinical and research training, I heard many stories of the challenges of balancing the demands of a chronic illness with aspects of identity and other important needs such as safety, housing, food, and expenses. Embedded in these stories were messages and experiences of strength, hope, and resilience that inspired me, as did witnessing youth and families grow and thrive over time. As such, my work emphasizes understanding the unique impacts of SDOH and the strategies which promote strengths and protective factors for self-management behaviors and medical outcomes.

Beyond these clinical and research interests, I have related training in public health, health policy and leadership. I firmly believe in the power of advocacy and partnership between communities, researchers and clinicians to influence health, systems, and policy. I am equally passionate about mentoring and learning alongside others. As a team scientist, I aspire to be a lifelong learner, continuously challenging myself, my team, and my colleagues to apply principles of inclusion to our work and fields. I hold active membership and leadership positions with several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA) Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP, Division 54) and American Diabetes Association (ADA). I am also an active member of the Behavioral Research in Diabetes Group Exchange, a national network of diabetes researchers, and have been selected for and participated in several leadership and professional development programs, including those funded by APA, SPP, ADA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).