Julie Lee is a new faculty member in the HMP Department coming from the John M. Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Can you describe your research interests and any current projects you are working on, and what draws you to this kind of work?

I am interested in how employees’ identities and non-work relationships affect the workplace, particularly in work-life balance and negotiation. With the United States and the world having an aging society and an increasingly diverse population, the workforce is changing — and organizations must respond to that change. Recognizing the broader impact of aging, I have projects about how workers’ family caregiving responsibilities outside work positively and negatively affect employees and work outcomes. By highlighting what employees can learn from eldercare experiences, I hope to build on organizational practices and policies to benefit from employees’ experiences outside work and enhance employee well-being and organizational performance. Also, I have ongoing projects related to employee motivation and negotiation. 

Are there any opportunities or connections here at Iowa that you are excited about or that might be inspiring your work in a particular direction? 

I am most excited about the interdisciplinary research and practice opportunities at Iowa. Here, it is a truly collaborative environment where experts from economics, policy, and public health all work together to conduct rigorous research and develop and deliver evidence-based solutions to organizations, communities, and the public. I look forward to building connections with organizations of all sizes across Iowa because I appreciate the vibrant ecosystem of health care organizations that our alumni and organizational partners are building.

What do you enjoy teaching, and what do you hope students will take with them in their work in the public health sector? 

I love Hawkeye students’ enthusiasm for driving innovations in their organizations. I enjoy hearing their diverse stories about what led them to health care and how they see the potential for implementing changes. All MHA, MPH, PhD, and EMHA students have diverse interests in the health care sector, which reflects the diversity and richness of the health care industry itself! Health care plays a huge role in the US economy; health care spending accounts for 17.3% of the US GDP, and I am proud that students are working to create their own opportunities for contributions. 

Because I study organizations, I aim to help students recognize both the big picture and the finer details. Understanding how seemingly small organizational practices interact with broader strategies is crucial for maximizing the outcome. Specifically, I want to provide opportunities to learn how to effectively work with people and empower students to transform the health care organization, industry, and policy. 

Any other things you’d like to share to help those around CPH, our students, and alums get to know you? 

I am eager to meet researchers, practitioners, and students in CPH, VA, and the University of Iowa! I chose Iowa because of its openness and strong sense of community. Exchanging ideas with individuals from different backgrounds, training, and experiences brings great joy. With our alums, I look forward to being part of their lifelong journeys of learning and growth in health care. I also value community engagement as a way of giving back by sharing findings and suggestions that benefit them.