Advancing Health Equity Through Community
A multidisciplinary research and training space dedicated to centering equity, context, and community in health research and practice.
Piecing Together a More Complete Picture of Health
The Mosaic Health Lab is a multidisciplinary research and training space at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, dedicated to advancing health equity through research, education, and community-engaged practice. We bring together multiple areas of inquiry to better understand how lived experiences, healthcare systems, and learning environments shape health outcomes.
Grounded in an intersectional framework, our work centers the experiences of Black women and other historically marginalized communities. The name Mosaic reflects our approach — bringing together diverse perspectives, experiences, and areas of research to form a more complete understanding of health and healthcare.
Dr. Andrea Lewis
PhD, MSPA, MPH, PA-C
Lab Director & Principal Investigator
Dr. Andrea Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Education at UNC Greensboro and a certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of clinical experience in sexual and reproductive health. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she brings a unique blend of clinical practice and academic scholarship to her work advancing health equity for Black women and other marginalized communities.
Her research spans STI/HIV prevention, reproductive health access, and healthcare workforce equity, bridging clinical practice, public health systems, and community partnerships. She leads the Mosaic Health Lab and directs studies on the career trajectories of Black women in healthcare professions, intersectionality in global health education, and culturally responsive community interventions.
Additional Scholarly Work
Eradicating Gardnerella vaginalis
McNeil, C., Tan, A., Lewis, A.A., et al. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PublishedFour Pillars of Research
Grounded in an intersectional framework, our lab focuses on four interconnected areas that together paint a fuller picture of health equity.
Sexual & Reproductive Health Equity
We examine the social and structural factors that shape sexual and reproductive health among Black women. This includes work on gendered racism in healthcare, patient experiences, and the development of culturally responsive interventions.
Health Equity in Clinical & Educational Spaces
We explore how provider–patient interactions and clinical training environments influence care delivery and health outcomes. Our work focuses on workforce development and the career trajectories of Black women in healthcare professions.
Global & Experiential Public Health Learning
Through study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, we examine how immersive, community-engaged learning experiences shape students' understanding of public health, culture, and identity.
Culture, Sexuality & Health
We investigate how cultural forces such as music, media, and community narratives shape Black women's sexual attitudes, agency, and health behaviors. This work examines the intersection of hip-hop culture, sexual empowerment, and health decision-making.
Featured Projects
Each project contributes to our larger goal of developing approaches that center equity, context, and community.
SHE Rises
ActiveSexual Health Education Rises: A Sexual Violence Intervention for Black Women College Students
Co-Principal Investigator · UNCG Internal Research Award, $10,000
A qualitative study exploring the sexual and reproductive health needs of Black college women, grounded in a reproductive justice framework. The project expanded to include a Healing and Empowerment Summit after focus group conversations revealed the depth of sexual trauma and disclosure challenges. Co-led with Dr. Jeannette Wade (Associate Professor, UNCG), with undergraduate research assistants Kennedy Strong and Kimi Smith.
Career Trajectories Study
ActiveCareer Trajectories of Black Women Physician Assistants with Doctoral Degrees
Principal Investigator · UNCG HHS Faculty Research Grant, $5,000
This study examines how systemic and institutional barriers within healthcare workforce structures affect professional identity, career advancement, and leadership opportunities for Black women PAs with doctoral degrees. Using intersectional qualitative analysis, the project develops mentorship models and pipeline strategies to address structural inequities in healthcare workforce development.
Intersectionality in Global Health Education
ActiveHow Student Identity Shapes Learning in Study Abroad Contexts (Dominican Republic & Jamaica)
Principal Investigator
This research investigates how students' intersecting identities and social positionalities shape their learning experiences, meaning-making processes, and career development within global health study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. The work informs the design of equity-focused, interdisciplinary global health programs.
Embodied Knowledge
ForthcomingIntegrating Reproductive Health Education into the Active Girls Healthy Girls Initiative
Principal Investigator · UNCG CWHW Faculty Fellow, 2026–2027
A community-engaged intervention addressing systemic barriers to adolescent girls' physical activity participation by developing culturally responsive reproductive health curriculum for integration into youth sports programs. Working in partnership with the Active Girls Healthy Girls Initiative at UNCG and community organizations.
Narratives of Genital Pain
ActiveNarratives of Genital Pain Among Black and African Women in the U.S.
Co-Investigator
Contributing to qualitative analysis and manuscript development for this study examining medical gendered racism as a systemic factor within healthcare institutions. The work produces analytic frameworks addressing how structural racism and gender bias create barriers to appropriate pain management and gynecological care.
Publications & Research
Our work spans peer-reviewed journals in public health, sexuality studies, and cultural analysis.
Pleasure Capitalism: Black Women's Sexual Agency and Economic Resistance in Hip-Hop Through Kendrick Lamar's Lens
Lewis, A.A. (2026)
Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships, 12(1), 51–73
A Sea of Green: Gang Cosplay and Affective Belonging at NBA YoungBoy's MASA Tour
Lewis, A.A. (2026)
Transformative Works and Culture
Rapping about pleasure: Black women's rap music in shaping sexual attitudes
Lewis, A.A. (2024)
Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–15
Medical gendered racism and Black women's experiences of genito-pelvic pain
Azim, K., Lewis, A.A., et al. (2024)
Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–16
The Team Behind the Mosaic
Our lab brings together researchers, students, and community partners united by a commitment to health equity and social justice.
Current Members
Dr. Andrea Lewis
PhD, MSPA, MPH, PA-C
Lab Director & Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Education at UNCG and a practicing Physician Assistant specializing in sexual and reproductive health. Dr. Lewis leads the lab's mission to advance health equity through intersectional research and community-engaged practice.
Kennedy Strong
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Contributing to the SHE Rises project through qualitative data collection and analysis. Kennedy plays an integral role in community-engaged research exploring Black women's sexual and reproductive health experiences.
Daijah Elliott
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Contributing to the PATHWAYS+ Career Trajectories study, supporting research on the experiences and career development of Black women Physician Assistants with doctoral degrees.
Calvin Lowery
Graduate Research Assistant
Working with Dr. Lewis on research for the study abroad program in Jamaica, contributing to the lab's global health education initiatives and community-engaged learning experiences.
Past Members
Kimi Smith
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Supported the SHE Rises project and contributed to manuscript development, advancing the lab's understanding of sexual health equity among Black college women.
Emily Kinzer
Graduate Research Assistant
Supported the Intersectionality in Global Health Education study, contributing to research on how student identity shapes learning experiences in the Dominican Republic study abroad program.
Interested in Joining Our Lab?
We welcome graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and community partners who share our commitment to health equity research.
Get in TouchStudent Work
Our lab is committed to mentoring the next generation of health equity researchers. Here are selected presentations and posters from our undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
_2ceb116d.png)
Silent Suffering: Black Women's Experiences with Sexual Violence and the Role of the Family
Kennedy Strong & Kimi Smith
Mentors: Drs. Andrea Lewis & Jeannette Wade
Department of Health and Human Sciences, UNCG
This poster presents findings from focus group conversations with 30 Black women college students, examining how sexual violence experiences are shaped by family dynamics, generational silencing, and faith communities. Key themes include trauma and violation of trust within families, loved ones as tools for sexual autonomy, and exposure to narratives of sexual trauma.
News & Updates
Recent presentations, awards, and milestones from the Mosaic Health Lab.
UNCG Global Symposium
Dr. Lewis presents "Who Gets to Discover Themselves? Rethinking What Study Abroad Teaches Students of Color" at UNCG's Global Symposium, examining how study abroad experiences are shaped by race and identity.
PSA Conference Presentation
Dr. Lewis and Dr. Jeannette Wade present "Y'all know this is happening": From Girlhood to Womanhood — A Life Course Analysis of Sexual Violence Among Young Black Women at the Pacific Sociological Association.
Woolf Symposium Talk
Interrogating "Identity" in Study Abroad: How Black and Latina Students Experience Racialized Positioning in Global Health Education.
UNCG CWHW Faculty Fellow
Dr. Lewis named Faculty Fellow at the UNCG Center for Women's Health and Wellness for the Embodied Knowledge project integrating reproductive health education into youth sports programs.
New Publication in JBSR
"Pleasure Capitalism: Black Women's Sexual Agency and Economic Resistance in Hip-Hop" published in the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships.
Study Abroad: Dominican Republic
Faculty-led study abroad course in Santiago, Dominican Republic, focusing on global health equity, cultural responsiveness, and visual storytelling with UNCG students.
Resources & Opportunities
Whether you're a student, community partner, or healthcare professional, there are many ways to connect with our work.
For Prospective Students
Interested in health equity research? The Mosaic Health Lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students passionate about community-engaged research, sexual and reproductive health, and health disparities. Dr. Lewis also provides pre-PA advising for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
For Community Partners
Our lab values community-engaged participatory research. We partner with local organizations, health departments, and community groups to develop culturally responsive interventions and translate research into action. Current partnerships include the Guilford County Health Department and the Active Girls Healthy Girls Initiative.
For Healthcare Professionals
Dr. Lewis brings over a decade of clinical PA experience in STI care and sexual health. Our research on gendered racism in healthcare, workforce equity, and provider training is designed to inform clinical practice and institutional change.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Through UNCG's global health study abroad programs, students explore public health, culture, and identity in international contexts. Programs have included the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, with a focus on health equity, cultural responsiveness, and visual storytelling.
Let's Build the Mosaic Together
Whether you're a researcher, student, community partner, or supporter, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about our work or explore collaboration opportunities.
Email Us
[email protected]Visit Us
Department of Public Health Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Connect on LinkedIn
Dr. Andrea LewisSend a Message
Fill out the form below and your email client will open with your message ready to send.