Heather Steiness, PhD, MPH

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs

College of Health Professions

About Steiness

Dr. Heather Steiness has had an expansive career in public health that has taken her around the world to study a variety of health issues and their solutions. In 2019, she joined the University of Phoenix to pass on her knowledge and enthusiasm for the health professions through program and curriculum development and teaching. 

Dr. Steiness is the Associate Dean for the College of Health Professions' graduate programs, including the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration programs. Dr. Steiness led in the development of the Master of Public Health program, which launched in January 2020. 

The Master of Health Administration program has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) since November 2019. Most recently, Dr. Steiness led the reaccreditation efforts for the MHA program and received a seven-year term of accreditation.

It’s incredibly rewarding to recognize that students use what they learn in our programs to improve health equity in their communities, leading to better quality of life for generations to come.

Heather Steiness
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs

It’s incredibly rewarding to recognize that students use what they learn in our programs to improve health equity in their communities, leading to better quality of life for generations to come.

Her work with CAHME also includes acting as a CAHME site visitor to other health administration programs around the country, and as a member of CAHME's mentorship circle providing guidance to other CAHME-accredited programs.  

Prior to coming to the University of Phoenix, Dr. Steiness worked in the field of global public health for over 20 years. Her roles have included conducting health data surveillance and analysis; developing quality improvement models and evaluations for international health services delivery programs; designing, implementing, and managing research studies and breast cancer intervention programs in resource-poor settings; successful grant writing; and administering public health programs.  

Dr. Steiness received her doctorate in Global Health from Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. Her dissertation was on barriers to breast cancer care in rural Bangladesh. Dr. Steiness also has a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

It’s incredibly rewarding to recognize that students use what they learn in our programs to improve health equity in their communities, leading to better quality of life for generations to come.

Heather Steiness
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs

It’s incredibly rewarding to recognize that students use what they learn in our programs to improve health equity in their communities, leading to better quality of life for generations to come.