Virginia (Ginger) McKay’s research is centered around the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices, with a particular focus on sustaining effective interventions and de-implementing ineffective or harmful practices. 

McKay examines these issues in the context of infectious disease, antimicrobial stewardship, and cancer, employing mixed methods and systems science approaches to tackle research questions in these areas. As an affiliated faculty member of the School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Systems Science, she supports the center’s projects related to evidence-based public health and systems science, furthering efforts to enhance public health infrastructure and outcomes. 

Additionally, she leads the Infectious Disease – Dissemination and Implementation Science Initiative at the Center for Dissemination & Implementation, which aims to extend the application of dissemination and implementation science in infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship, and serves as a co-lead for the Dissemination and Implementation Science Core in the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research. Her work is integral to advancing public health by ensuring that effective interventions are properly implemented and sustained while eliminating practices that do not contribute to health improvements.  

Areas of focus:

  • Infectious disease prevention 
  • Evidence-based public health 
  • Sustainment and de-implementation of interventions 
  • Application of systems science and thinking 

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