Focus on Faculty With Ana Hincapie, PhD

Ana Hincapie, PhD, has joined the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy as assistant professor of health outcomes in the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences. In this position, supported in partnership with St. Elizabeth Healthcare Physicians, she will analyze clinical data as well as implement and evaluate projects aimed at improving the quality of care of patients.  Additionally, Hincapie will take on teaching, research and service responsibilities as her career progresses.

What is your educational background?

I hold MSc (2010) and PhD (2013) degrees in pharmacoeconomics, Policy and Health Outcomes from the University of Arizona, as well as a BS (2006) in pharmacy from the National University of Colombia.
During my graduate training I interned at the patient safety department at the World Health Organization in Geneva (2011), where I gained experience on patient safety initiatives from a public health perspective and established professional collaborations within and across disciplines. In 2012, I participated in the National Academy of Sciences Christine Mirzayan Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C.,  where I provided background research support to the committee in charge of elaborating the report "Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis,” and experienced how scientific knowledge is translated into policies.

How did you come to UC?

As junior faculty, I was searching for a well-established graduate and research program in health outcomes with a strong mentorship commitment. The opportunities for teaching and researching afforded by the college as well as its partnership with St. Elizabeth will be instrumental for my career growth.

What is your area of interest/focus?

My research is centered at the intersection of quality and safety of care, the use of health information technologies (HIT) and the evaluation on how these technologies can help pharmacists to provide better care. I’m interested in looking at better ways to engage patients, especially minorities, on safety to help prevent medical and medication errors and to achieve better health outcomes. I am also interested in innovating how health care quality, patient safety and HIT are taught to future health care professionals.

Outside interests and activites?

Having lived in the Grand Canyon State for over five years and Northern California for two, I enjoy outdoor activities. I love spending my free time hiking and biking. I also enjoy discovering new music, films and books.

Something people might not know about you?

I’m an avid backpacker. I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon three times, and hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls and Mount Tallac.