Jerry Cochran, PhD, MSW
Principal Evaluator
Gerald (Jerry) Cochran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology at the University of Utah and serves as the Director of Research for the Program on Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA) within the Division of Epidemiology. He also has an adjunct Associate Professor appointment with the University of Utah Department of Psychiatry and is core faculty with the Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation within the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. Dr. Cochran’s area of expertise involves identifying and studying appropriate care for underserved populations in health care settings, with particular emphasis on individuals who use drugs and alcohol.
A. Taylor Kelley, MD, MPH, MSc
Co-Evaluator
A. Taylor Kelley, MD, MPH, MSc, is an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and a primary care physician in the Vulnerable Veteran Innovative Patient-Aligned Care Team Initiative (VIP) clinic at the Salt Lake City VA. Dr. Kelley received his medical degree from the University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston and holds a master of public health degree from Harvard and master of science degree in health care research from the University of Michigan. As a general internist and pediatrician, his research interests include access to care for vulnerable populations, with focus on immigrants, veterans, and individuals covered by Medicaid.
Adam Gordon, MD, MPH
Co-Evaluator
Dr. Gordon’s professional mission is to improve the access and quality of care of patients who have vulnerabilities. He is a physician, board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. He is the Elbert F. and Marie Christensen Endowed Research Professor, tenured Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Section Chief of Addiction Medicine at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. Dr. Gordon founded and is the Director of the Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA); he is a PI of the Greater Intermountain Node (GIN), a node of the NIH NIDA Clinical Trials Network; and he founded and is the Emeritus Director the Vulnerable Veteran Innovative Patient-Aligned-Care-Team (VIP) Initiative.
Mike Incze, MD, MSED
Co-Evaluator
Dr. Michael Incze is a primary care physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine who is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. Dr. Incze attended medical school at University of California, Davis and residency at the University of California, San Francisco. His clinical interests include patient education, high value care, and caring for vulnerable populations including people experiencing homelessness and people with substance use disorders. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Incze is involved in several research, quality improvement, and educational initiatives aimed at improving care for patients with chronic pain and substance use disorders.
Lirit Franks, PhD
Research Development Associate
Lirit is a Research Development Associate here at PARCKA specializing in research projects involving medicinal cannabis. She received her doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in pharmacology with an emphasis on screening cannabinoids for anti-cancer indications and anti-tumor medication interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Lirit is concurrently working with the Center for Medical Cannabis Research here at the University of Utah by reviewing literature to create an accessible library of evidence-based information. Her current research focuses on patient experience of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program and health outcomes related to enrollment. She enjoys collaboration and welcomes your questions regarding medical cannabis.
Britnee Sengpraseut
Clinical Research Coordinator
Meet Britnee: a University of Utah Health Promotion alum ('17) who speaks fluent Medical Terminology (thanks, pharmacy!). With 8+ years as a behind-the-counter pro, she's now bringing her coordination skills to PARCKA, tackling the fascinating world of Utah's Medical Cannabis Program and the PHARMTool Study (no, she doesn't dispense, but she does help make things run smoothly!). Britnee's always been a champion for behavioral health and her community – basically, she wants to help good things grow. Currently absorbing all things Implementation Science, she's ready to make evidence-based practices stick. Off-duty, you might spot her battling weeds in her garden, providing comedic relief on the golf course, or, most likely, being completely charmed by her two little ones and their new furry overlord, Spud.