Program Details
Program Description
In the Health Justice Certificate Program, students will explore population health related challenges and the possibilities of Medical-Legal Interventions. The certificate program begins with an introduction to Population Health. This is followed by an exploration of health inequities and social epidemiology. Next is a study of Health Justice where the social determinants of health and indicators for medical legal partnerships are examined. Collaborative approaches to improving the health of communities through policy advocacy will be explored. The final Advocacy in Action Capstone seminar highlights how Health Justice grass root approaches can change the healthcare landscape.
The certificate blends theory and application with a goal of preparing students to serve as organizational resources for medical-legal interventions as part of population and community health efforts. Students will be encouraged to identify a specific area of interest as they begin coursework, and incorporate interests into assignments. This strategic approach can result in a valuable portfolio of resources, data and advocacy statements, as well as visual and oral presentations that will be the cumulative work product.
Program Objectives
- Recognize indicators for medical-legal interventions.
- Investigate social determinants of health, epidemiology, and health inequities.
- Synthesize information about health inequities, social determinants, and epidemiology to create intervention strategies.
- Demonstrate skills in searching and evaluating literature to facilitate evidence-based decision making.
- Create and evaluate approaches to medical legal interventions.
- Apply persuasive writing and oral communication techniques to advocate for legislative change.
The certificate may be completed prior to enrolling in the MHA program of after completion of the MHA.
Program Entry Requirements
- Students must have completed a Bachelor’s degree.
- Seats are limited. Preference will be given to lawyers and professionals working within healthcare, community health, population health, and public health, as well as to applicants with resumes indicative of a direct relationship to aspects of Health Justice
Program Format
- Content delivery: 8-week online master’s level courses with short breaks between courses.
- Courses are designed for working professionals.
- Length of semesters: Two 8-week terms and a brief break within each semester.
- Program length if all courses are taken in sequence: 3 semesters.
Advisory Board

Traci Rooks, JD, CHC
Traci Rooks is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Traci began her work with Medical-Legal Partnership with the Spokane Health Justice Initiative in 2014. As a legal volunteer, Traci examined work flows between medical and legal partners for potential improvement. She wrote policies and procedures for medical, legal, and law school partners. She also aggregated and evaluated patient-client data for reporting and compliance with grant guidelines. In addition, Traci has been a member of the Washington State Coalition of Medical-Legal Partnerships participating in state-wide efforts to establish new medical-legal partnerships and navigate challenges for established partnerships. The foundation for this very important work having been completed, Traci broadened the application of medical-legal partnership to higher education at University of Providence.
Traci is currently an Investigator for Providence Risk and Integrity Services. Prior to her work as an Investigator, Traci was a Compliance Manager and Privacy Officer for Lincoln Hospital and a Compliance Specialist for Providence St. Joseph Health. Over the years, Traci has also been active in the Health Law Sections of both the Washington State Bar and the American Bar Association. Traci joined the adjunct faculty at University of Providence in 2018, teaching Healthcare Law & Ethics for the Master of Healthcare Administration Program.
Traci is committed to equipping tomorrow’s healthcare leaders and legal advocates to embrace the precepts of pairing health and justice. The Health Justice program is supported by a cadre of talented faculty. MHA practitioner faculty are experienced in their specialty areas and share a goal of linking theory to practice for students.

Briana J. Goehring, BBM, CHC
Briana Goehring is a graduate of Amberton University. Briana began her work in healthcare in 2005 as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) with UPMC Cranberry Place | Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. In 2006 she moved out of state and began working for Children’s Medical Center of Dallas as a Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) in the Trauma and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In just shy of a year, she was promoted to the department’s Educator position where she found her passion for educating and creating. In her 8 years as Educator, Briana coordinated education efforts for 4 Intensive Care units and 9 Inpatient units while assisting in the Emergency Department and outpatient clinics. Briana’s role helped her establish working relationships with all levels of caregivers.
Briana is currently a Compliance Manager for Providence Risk and Integrity Services. In this role, Briana coordinates required annual compliance, privacy, and security education for over 100,000 caregivers as well as oversees multiple education awareness projects in 5 different states. Her abilities to prioritize, manage, and assist with large scale projects has led her to partner with Traci Rooks on the Health Justice Program.

Andrea Chatburn, DO, MA, HEC-C
Dr. Andi Chatburn is a Palliative Care physician in Spokane, Washington and serves as the Regional Director for Ethics for Providence St. Joseph Health in Eastern Washington and Western Montana. During her more than seven-year tenure with Providence, Chatburn creates opportunities for healthcare professionals of every discipline to grow in their knowledge of bioethics and apply this at the bedside. Her interests include navigating care for those on the margins of life, due to serious illness or social determinants of health. Chatburn values time spent “standing in the gap” of uncertainty in clinical questions ranging from beginning to the end of life. This promotes curiosity and relationship while exploring questions of ‘how we ought to be with one another in community’ as we seek to address the challenges of promoting health for a better world.
Andi became interested in ethics and palliative care during her undergraduate degree in rural Iowa where she was inspired by her Philosophy and Theology professors and as a volunteer for a local non-profit hospice. Dr. Chatburn received her medical degree in osteopathic medicine at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, where she simultaneously completed a Master of Arts degree in Bioethics. During her time in Kansas City, she worked as an ethics intern with the nonprofit advocacy group, The Center for Practical Bioethics.
Dr. Chatburn is a board-certified Family Physician and completed her residency at Providence Family Medicine Spokane in June 2013. After residency, Dr. Chatburn went on to complete a Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Kansas, where she also acted as an Ethics consultant and member of both the adult and pediatric ethics committees at the University of Kansas.
Andi enjoys traveling with her husband John and exploring the Inland Northwest through hiking and skiing with her two big dogs. You can find her online, tweeting about hospice and palliative medicine as well as bioethics under handle @achatburn, where she describes herself as “doctor, dog mom, food lover, planner’s wife.”

Zaida C. Rivera, Esq.
Zaida Rivera has been an immigration practitioner for over 7 years. Zaida’s most recent position was as a Practitioner in Residence for the Immigrants’ Rights/International Human Rights Clinic at the Center for Social Justice part of Seton Hall Law’s newly launched detention project funded by the state’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative. The project provides pro bono legal representation to vulnerable detained immigrants in Immigration Courts in New Jersey.
Previously, Zaida served as a Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney at Kids in Need of Defense in Seattle and in New York, and as Staff Attorney for the NW Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle, WA, where she coordinated weekly Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals clinics, conducted community outreach, and provided representation to clients in various immigration matters. Additionally, as the former Director of Legal Clinics for the Latino/a Bar Association of Washington, she coordinated legal clinics in Seattle and rural areas in Washington State.
Zaida is the proud daughter of hardworking Mexican immigrants, and an immigrant herself. She received her B.A. in International Relations and Spanish from Gonzaga University and her JD from the University of Idaho College of Law. As the first in her family to graduate from high school, college, and law school, she is passionate about inspiring youth to pursue higher education.
Kathy Jensen
Kathy Jensen is an attorney at Northwest Justice Project, a non-profit civil legal aid statewide organization. She is the coordinating attorney for the Health Justice Initiative in Spokane, which is a medical-legal partnership with Providence, Empire Health Foundation, and Eastern State Hospital. Kathy has been with NJP for 16 years representing clients in public benefits, special education, and tribal law. She is a descendant of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.
Application & Course Information
Application Information
- Application: Complete the online application – Click Here
- Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcript(s) showing degree completion must be submitted to the university. Transcripts should be sent to the University of Providence via email from the institution, Parchment or the Student Clearinghouse or mailed to University of Providence, 1301 20th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405.
- Résumé: Submission of a résumé is required.
- Application Fee: There is a $50 application fee for the certificate.
For questions email: healthprograms@uprovidence.edu
Health Justice Certificate Courses
Semester I (6 credits)
MHA 504 Health Justice (Medical-Legal Partnership) – First 8-week term
MHA 508 Health Inequities & Social Epidemiology – Second 8-week term
Semester II (4 credits)
MHA 518 Evidence-based Management for Healthcare Leaders – First 8-week term
MHA 521 Population Health –A Community Orientation – Second 8-week term
Semester III (6 credits)
MHA 525 Transformational Leadership – First 8-week term
MHA 528 Health Justice Advocacy in Action – Second 8-week term