Alumni Q&A | Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11

SP2 alumna Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11, is a health equity researcher, public health educator, and the Victor Heiser, MD Professor of Population Health at Jefferson’s College of Population Health. A nationally recognized expert in qualitative and mixed methods research, Dr. Frasso focuses on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. She has trained hundreds of researchers and collaborates with institutions around the world to advance health equity. She also directs Jefferson’s MPH program and leads mixed methods research endeavors at the Asano-Gonnella Center for Medical Education and Health Care at Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College. We reached out to her to learn more about her time at SP2 and her path to advancing health equity through research and education.

Why did you choose SP2’s PhD in Social Welfare program?

Penn was the perfect place to integrate my passion for social justice and scientific rigor. The faculty were warm, welcoming, and flexible. I felt supported and was able to grow as both a scholar and a leader, thanks to wonderful mentors.

When did you first know that you wanted to be involved in this kind of work? Why?

I spent many years working in healthcare and saw how social drivers of health lead to poor outcomes for so many people. I wanted training that would prepare me to have a greater impact. At SP2, I found my niche; I learned to use rigorous research approaches to amplify the voices of patients and communities, ensuring that interventions were informed by their perspectives and responsive to their needs.

What did you like the most about your experience at SP2? What would you consider the key takeaways?

I had great mentorship at SP2 — the faculty were kind and supportive, yet they also held the bar high. Now that I am in that role, I reflect on how my mentors pushed me to do my best. I strive to be that kind of mentor for my students. I want them to learn, care, and aim for excellence, but I also recognize that this work is demanding and the problems we study are intense. It’s important for them to understand how to care for themselves so they have the energy to do the work that matters.

What led you to your current position?

I was drawn to Jefferson because I wanted to work at the intersection of social policy, medicine, and public health, and Jefferson provided that opportunity. Leading the MPH program here has been a great honor.

What professional accomplishments have been most meaningful to you, and why?

In my current role, I have the privilege of teaching students, clinicians, community leaders, and others how to conduct rigorous qualitative research. It’s wonderful to see people—who may have been trained in research but never fully embraced qualitative methods—learn the value of this work. I’ve seen them rethink their own research trajectories to include and embrace qualitative methods that center community voices and respect community needs.

What are you looking forward to in your career, and how do you think your SP2 experience has or will impact your professional path?

These are very challenging times. I am leaning into the skills I learned at SP2 as I work with others to highlight the value of evidence-based policy. We must tackle misinformation and prepare learners to face challenges head-on. This is not a time to sit back; there are challenges to health, justice, and humanity that must be confronted. I am looking forward to ‘looking back’ at these times, knowing that I did my best and helped my learners navigate this complicated world. My goal is to prepare them to do work that matters, to help those in need, and to face the war on science with skills that infuse valid evidence into their practice and advocacy.