Alexandra Adams

Alexandra is a nationally recognized public health leader, researcher, and physician whose career has been dedicated to improving health outcomes in Indigenous and rural communities. As Director of the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Excellence (CAIRHE) at Montana State University, she leads innovative initiatives that build meaningful partnerships between researchers and underserved communities while mentoring the next generation of health investigators. She also serves as co-director of HOPE and CAIRHE 2gether, a collaborative effort with the University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Center focused on cancer prevention and health equity in persistent-poverty regions across the Mountain West.

With more than three decades of experience in medicine, public health, and academic leadership, Dr. Adams has become a leading voice in community-based participatory research. Her work centers on partnering with Native American communities to address critical health challenges through a combination of scientific rigor and community knowledge. Throughout her career, she has directed numerous community-engaged clinical trials, secured more than $40 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health and philanthropic organizations, and authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications. Her research has explored topics ranging from family wellness, obesity prevention, and chronic disease to climate change, cancer prevention, and the long-term impacts of trauma on community health.

A Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and a member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Adams is widely respected for her commitment to health equity, collaboration, and innovation. Beyond traditional research, she embraces storytelling, filmmaking, and community outreach as powerful tools for education and engagement. As she transitions from university leadership into the next chapter of her career, she continues to advance projects such as Turtle Island Tales, while developing new work focused on belonging, community connection, and healing. Through her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to underserved populations, Dr. Adams has helped shape a more inclusive and community-centered approach to public health.