Dr. Vickie Dugat is a USF College of Public Health post-doctoral scholar celebrating earning the Top 20 Under 40 Young Haitian-American Professionals for 2024 from the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida.
“Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful as it recognizes the work I have poured my heart into over the years of advancing health equity for underrepresented populations, particularly Black mothers,” Dugat said. “I am both honored and humbled. It also fills me with gratitude for the mentors, colleagues and community members who have supported and contributed to these efforts along the way.”
Dugat describes herself as a first-generation Haitian American and a Black maternal health researcher. She admits to seeing firsthand the impacts of systemic racism and inequitable health care.
“My passion stems from a desire to ensure that every mother, regardless of race or background, has access to the quality care they deserve,” she said. “I want to advocate for marginalized communities, empower women and ensure their voices are heard and acted upon in health care settings.”
From co-founding a non-profit at 17 years old to organizing the inaugural 5K for Black Maternal Health Week Initiative of Tampa Bay this past year, Dugat’s efforts to address critical public health disparities were among the qualifiers for this award.
Dr. Vickie Dugat (left) with fellow COPH post-doctoral scholar Dr. Marshara Fross at the Race for Black Mommas and Maternal Health 5k, which Dugat organized. Fross is the founder and program director of Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative. (Photo courtesy of Dugat)
“This recognition validates my research on maternal and child health and further empowers me to pursue more ambitious goals,” she said. “It opens doors for new collaborations, provides greater visibility for my work and strengthens my ability to advocate for policy changes that address racial health disparities. Additionally, it fuels my commitment to continue researching how stress and discrimination affect breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes among Black women.”
Dr. Vickie Dugat attended the awards gala for the 9th Annual Young Professionals 20 Under 40. (Photo courtesy of Dugat)
Equipped with a bachelor of science from the University of Florida in family, youth and community sciences, a master of public health from Morehouse School of Medicine and a PhD in health education from the University of Toledo, Dugat is currently adding to her toolbelt as a post-doctoral scholar in USF’s Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence.
“Upon completing my post-doc, I aim to secure a faculty position in public health or maternal health where I can lead research, mentor students and teach courses focused on health equity and culturally sensitive interventions,” Dugat said. “I plan to continue expanding my research on the effects of stress, discrimination and maternal health, with the goal of informing policies and interventions that support Black mothers in breastfeeding and beyond.”
Dugat said she hopes to collaborate with community-based organizations to create programs that directly support women and families, drawing on her expertise in health equity, resilience and trauma-informed care.
“Through this work, I will advocate for policy changes to help dismantle systemic barriers, such as obstetric racism, and improve health care access for underserved communities,” she said. “My goal is to blend academic research and community engagement to drive meaningful and sustainable change in maternal and child health outcomes.”
Dugat’s ultimate goal is to one day open a free women’s clinic in Haiti in addition to continuing her work in leading research and initiatives that improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
“I aim to bridge gaps in health care access, dismantle systemic barriers and advocate for policies that promote health equity,” Dugat said. “Through academia, research and community engagement, I hope to contribute to lasting change in health care systems that better serve all populations.”