With amazing support from family, friends and mentors, Ruby Mendenhall received a BS in Occupational Therapy, a MPP (Public Policy) and a PhD in human development and social policy. She is currently the Kathryn Lee Baynes Dallenbach Professor in Liberal Arts & Sciences and professor of sociology and African American Studies. She is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Democratization of Health Innovation at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  

Mendenhall’s research examines how living in racially segregated neighborhoods with high levels of violence affects the mental and physical health of Black mothers and children using surveys, interviews, crime statistics, police records, data from 911 calls, art, wearable sensors and genomic analysis. Her work seeks to create a culture of innovation that centers the health and wellness of Black and Latinx high school students and young adults (up to age 21). Her research is funded by the National Science Foundation. 

She is currently designing a Third Reconstruction and Chicago Renaissance by working with youth to co-create a community health worker and citizen/community scientist training (funded by the MacArthur Foundation). The training provides young people with tools to address and heal from racial trauma such as police killings, gun violence, and higher rates of COVID-19 deaths due to health disparities.  

Mendenhall is a consultant to the Illinois Health and Human Services Task Force created by the Illinois Department of Human Services in response to the Illinois Health Care and Human Service Reform Act (Public Act 102). The goal of the Public Act 102 is to improve the health outcomes of Black residents and all residents in the State of Illinois by reforming the state’s health and human service system.