Study Team
Meet the Study Team
Lauren Eberly, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Dr. Eberly is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a cardiologist at HUP Cedar. Her research has focused on improving cardiovascular health including through food is medicine programs.
Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Volpp is the founding Director of the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) and the Mark V. Pauly President’s Distinguished Professor at Perelman School of Medicine and Health Care Management at the Wharton School. He is also the Scientific Lead of the American Heart Association Health Care by Food Initiative, a major research program designed to build evidence on effectiveness and cost effectiveness of programs to improve health through increased access to nutritious food.
Charlene Compher, PhD, RD, LDN, FASPEN
Co-Investigator
Dr. Compher is a Professor of Nutrition Science at Penn Nursing. Through her research and clinical practice, Dr. Compher works to enhance understanding of the role of diet in health and disease while enhancing the quality of nutrition care of vulnerable populations.
Wendell Kellum, MD
Co-Investigator
Dr. Kellum is a family physician in Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Care Connections program. Dr. Kellum also worked for seven years as a front-line family doctor with Esperanza Health Center, a faith-based community health center serving the predominately Latino population of North Philadelphia.
Daniel Schwartz, MD
Co-Investigator
Dr. Schwartz is Director of the Heart Failure Program at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in Cardiovascular Medicine at Penn Medicine.
Jennifer Orr, MSPH
Project Manager
Jennifer Orr is a project manager working on research projects that focus on reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Previously, Jennifer worked in the PEACH Lab on numerous studies that identified and evaluated health polices and interventions to promote healthy eating and prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases.
Reon Mohammad Hossain
Clinical Research Coordinator
Reon Mohammad Hossain is a clinical research coordinator who earned his bachelor of science in biology from Drexel University in 2023. Based in South Jersey, he is currently coordinating an American Heart Association (AHA) study with Penn Medicine and contributing to advancements in health care. Previously, he worked on a cardiovascular study focusing on heart failure patients in the emergency department.
Doron Shore
Clinical Research Coordinator
Doron Shore is a clinical research coordinator for the Penn Healthy Heart Program. Prior to joining the ASCVD team, Doron was a research assistant at the Penn Center for Community Health Workers. Doron received his bachelor of science degree in public health from American University and is currently a candidate to receive his master’s in public health from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jordan Sigler
Clinical Research Coordinator
After graduating from Penn State University with a BS in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Kinesiology, Jordan Sigler came to the University of Pennsylvania to gain experience in public health and is currently a clinical research coordinator. In the future, Jordan plans to pursue an MPH degree and assist in programs dedicated to promoting physical activity and reducing chronic disease.
Our Meal Partner
The Healthy Heart Meals pilot study is partnered with MANNA to provide medically-tailored meals.
The Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA) uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. By providing medically tailored meals and nutrition education, MANNA empowers people to improve their health and quality of life. MANNA is a leader in evidence-based nutrition services, bringing together dietitians, chefs, drivers, and thousands of volunteers to cook and deliver nutritious, medically appropriate meals and provide nutrition counseling. Learn more at https://mannapa.org.
Our Funder
The Healthy Heart Meals pilot study is funded by the American Heart Association.
The American Heart Association's Health Care by Food initiative is keenly focused on removing barriers to nutritious food through research and community solutions. Their mission is to invest in research to strengthen the evidence base of healthy food interventions so that millions of patients can receive a more holistic approach to diet and health, health care professionals have tools to prescribe food is medicine programs, and payors have sufficient evidence for reimbursing food is medicine interventions. Learn more at https://www.healthcarexfood.org.