Davis Patterson

Biographical Information

Davis Patterson, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the UW's WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and an investigator in the UW Center for Health Workforce Studies. He is a sociologist with 18 years of experience in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research and evaluation spanning a variety of areas in healthcare, human services, and education. Prior to returning to the Centers in 2009, Dr. Patterson spent three years at Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation where he supported the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in development of hospital emergency preparedness indicators and evaluating public health department preparedness for emergencies and disasters. He is currently leading research projects at the Rural Health Research Center and Center for Health Workforce Studies examining the role and contribution of international medical graduates to care for the rural underserved and the effect of built environments on walking levels and physical activity among rural residents. His field research experience includes conducting interviews of over 500 persons from diverse cultures and from all walks of life, at home and abroad. He is fluent in Spanish. Dr. Patterson received his PhD in sociology at the University of Washington.