Rachel S Bergmans, MPH, PhD

Rachel Bergmans, PhD, MPH, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, where she leads the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center’s Publicly Engaged Research Core. Dr. Bergmans focuses on developing models to increase public engagement in research, with the goal of addressing inequities in pain care to benefit everyone. She has established permanent infrastructure that promotes public-academic partnerships and incorporates the lived experiences of individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities, guiding the development of novel treatment approaches for pain management. These approaches include integrative modalities such as yoga, relaxation techniques, and medical cannabis. Dr. Bergmans utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods, reflecting her training as a social epidemiologist. She has also made significant contributions to understanding the impact of social and environmental risk factors on health and well-being. In addition to her research, Dr. Bergmans is dedicated to mentoring junior investigators in health equity and community-engaged research. Dr. Bergmans earned her BA in Exercise Science from Hope College in 2009, her MPH from the University of Michigan in 2013, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2017.

Chronic pain and autoimmune disorders, comorbid mood disorders, and the influence of social and
environmental factors on health inequities in these conditions.