Letter from Director Dr. Jaclynn Hawkins

​​I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Curtis Center and for the vibrant community that made this work possible. My understanding of what it means to build a community of supportive, collaborative scholars united under a common purpose began years ago in Dr. Daphne Watkins' Gender and Health Research Lab and the Treatment, Innovation & Dissemination Research (TIDR) Group, founded by Dr. Joe Himle. Joe, Daphne and other senior faculty supported many of us early in our careers, investing in our growth and modeling the kind of mentorship that transforms not just individuals but entire fields of inquiry. Their belief in us is foundational to the success we experience today, and I came to the Curtis Center determined to honor and expand that legacy.

Assembling a group of investigators like ours is no easy feat. Over the past two years, our community grew to include additional faculty affiliates across the university and other institutions, doctoral fellows, field students and staff. Together, we launched three research initiatives, hosted seminars reaching 300+ attendees, and successfully merged with TIDR to strengthen our collective impact. But beyond these metrics lies something more enduring: we have forged a culture where scholars support one another's growth, where interdisciplinary collaboration is not an afterthought but our foundation, and where every voice contributes to advancing health equity—the same spirit that Dr. James Curtis and Mrs. Vivian Curtis brought to their visionary work, and that Dean Paula Allen-Meares nurtured when she helped create this Center.

As I transition from the directorship, Dr. Addie Weaver will serve as Interim Director through the winter. The Curtis Center stands at an exciting threshold—positioned for reimagining and growth under new leadership that will build on the foundation we have established together and honor the legacy of those who came before us.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to our advisory board for their unwavering support during my tenure as director. I am also deeply grateful to Joe Himle, Daphne Watkins, Addie Weaver, Anao Zhang, Caroline Landry and Kirstn Tatar—collaborators, colleagues and mentors whose dedication shaped our vision and made this community real. The relationships and infrastructure we have built together will continue to advance health equity for years to come.

With gratitude and admiration,

Dr. Jaclynn Hawkins

Jaclynn Hawkins, PhD

Associate Professor

School of Social Work

Dept. of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS), Medical School

Director, Curtis Center for Health Services Research & Innovation

Co-Director, MCDTR Pilot and Feasibility Program

Co-Director, Human Subjects and Assessment Core, Pepper Center

University of Michigan

Letter from Associate Director Dr. Addie Weaver

As we enter into this transition period, I have been reflecting on the community and collaborative spirit cultivated within the Curtis Center over the past two years. I am extremely grateful for Dr. Hawkins’ leadership and her commitment to bringing staff, students, and faculty together in support of the Curtis Center’s mission to stimulate research, training, and outreach opportunities that promote innovations in and extend the reach of health and mental health services.

I look forward to serving as Acting Director of the Curtis Center from January to May 2026 and am committed to continuing the initiatives and support that the Center has provided over the last two years. Next term, we will continue to bring together faculty, students, and staff to share ideas and resources, cultivate opportunities for collaboration, and provide consultation related to community-based health and mental health intervention research. Caroline Landry will continue to provide consultation, training, and logistic support for technical needs, such as IRB applications, REDCap, general database creation and management, and federal grant reporting requirements. Most importantly, we will think and reflect on ways to move forward together, with focus on the impact of our work for the communities and people we serve in Michigan, the United States, and across the globe. 

The School of Social Work has an exciting, important opportunity to think critically and intentionally about the future of the Curtis Center. As a School we recently completed a strategic vision, entitled Building Tomorrow Together, which is centered on our School’s collective commitment to shaping the future through education, research, community action, and a vibrant school culture. Moving Building Tomorrow Together from a vision to an actionable plan, requires us to pause, take inventory of where we are, and identify changes that need to be made in support of our vision. The Curtis Center has been a key catalyst for health and mental health-focused research, training, and community engagement within the School of Social Work and we want to continue Dr. and Mrs. Curtis’ legacy as the School continues to evolve and prepare for the future. Please watch for more information about next steps for the Curtis Center throughout next term. 

In closing, I would like to share my appreciation for the Curtis Center community. Being connected with you all is energizing and inspiring! I would also like to thank Dean Angell for her support during this transition and for the opportunity to planfully prepare for the Curtis Center’s future. 

Wishing everyone a restful, restorative break and looking forward to reconnecting in the New Year! 

Thank you again for your leadership and stewardship of the Curtis Center, Dr. Hawkins!

Addie Weaver, PhD

Associate Professor

Associate Director of PhD Programs

School of Social Work

Associate Director for Research, Curtis Center for Health Services & Innovation