Odichinma (Odi) Akosionu is a fourth year PhD Student in the Health Economics track of the Health Services Research, Policy and Administration Program at the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health. For her dissertation, Odi will explore historical discrimination, nursing home ownership with a focus on how ownership changes may impact racial inequities in health, quality of care and quality of life outcomes for long stay residents.
Currently, Odi works as a Research Assistant on a National Institute of Health-funded grant focused on system factors and racial disparities in nursing home quality of life and care. She also works on a Minnesota state-funded project to develop a legislature approved Assisted Living Report Card System. As part of this effort, Odi supports the partnership and work with the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition to learn about experiences of communities of color in accessing and utilizing long term services and supports.
Prior to this, Odi worked as a Human Services Program Consultant with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Odi holds a master's degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health and a bachelor's degree in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego.