AI at VP&S Initiative

Community

models of people coming together to form the letters A.I.

The Community Workgroup is dedicated to ensuring that artificial intelligence is leveraged to address the real-world needs of patients and the broader public. With a focus on social determinants of health, the workgroup explores AI-driven approaches to improving healthcare access, quality, and equity in diverse communities. By engaging with local stakeholders in our Washington Heights community, healthcare providers, and researchers, the group works to identify pressing challenges and opportunities where AI can enhance patient outcomes and support more effective, community-centered healthcare solutions.

As a bridge between the AI Initiative and the public, the Community Workgroup actively fosters collaboration and education at the intersection of AI and public health. It seeks to develop interdisciplinary coursework that equips future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to apply AI in addressing community health challenges. Additionally, the workgroup supports initiatives driven by local priorities, ensuring that AI applications in healthcare are aligned with the needs and perspectives of the people they are designed to serve. Through these efforts, the workgroup strengthens partnerships and promotes the responsible and impactful use of AI in healthcare settings.

Meet Our Team

  • Olajide A. Williams, MD, MS

    • Workgroup Lead
    • Professor and Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology
    • Vice Dean for Community Health, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

    Research Focuses: stroke disparities, community-based behavioral intervention research

    Profile Headshot

  • Alejandra N. Aguirre, DrPH, MPH

    • Assistant Director, Community Engagement Core Resource (CECR)
    Alejandra Agguire

  • Lena Mamykina, PhD

    • Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Graduate Program Director

    Research Focuses: human-computer interaction, mHealth and personal informatics, intelligent interactive systems, clinical decision support

  • Maya Sabatello, PhD

    • Assistant Professor of Clinical Bioethics, Department of Psychiatry
    Maya Sabatello

  • Xuhai “Orson” Xu, PhD

    • Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics

    Research Focuses: human-computer interaction, human-AI interaction, mHealth and personal informatics, wearable and mobile computing, applied machine learning, intelligent intervention, clinical decision support

    Xuhai "Orson" Xu