Ria N. Rodney

Ria Rodney is a Registered Nurse and social worker with over 15 years of experience in public health and advocacy. As a formally trained doula with a commitment to maternal health, she provides training in reproductive health for both students and public health workers in various capacities. Ria currently serves as a National Board Member for the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.

Ria’s career is driven by addressing the access to quality healthcare as a social justice issue. She utilizes frameworks that are specific to the intersectionality of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. In addition to providing direct care to patients in a healthcare setting, Ria focuses on macro-level systemic change through policy to address challenges and limitations in the United States healthcare system. Her areas of academic research include reproductive justice, the health and mental health needs of pregnant women and their families, and patient safety in the hospital setting.

Ria has worked in public policy, both domestically and internationally. In New York City, her work focuses on advocacy and policy review to address maternal mortality for underserved mothers. Previously, while working for the Ministry of Health in Guyana, she focused on training social workers who work in outpatient public health services. Additionally, she wrote health care policies for the Gender Equity Division within the Ministry of Health.

Ria holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. She received her Post- Master’s policy training through The Network for Social Work Management Public Policy Fellowship. Outside of work, Ria enjoys baking, traveling, and studio cycling.