About Me
My work bridges gaps in health equity by focusing on the social determinants of health. My expertise in medical sociology guides our team's research into maternal health, preventive medicine, vaccination, and racial health disparities. I have nearly a decade of experience in teaching and conducting research in the field of medical sociology, examining the social and unequal patterning of health and life chances. I have published over 95 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. My research has yielded insights into vaccine hesitancy and the complexities of food insecurity. I strive to uncover systemic barriers to health and develop strategies to promote better health outcomes for all.
Education
- Ph.D., Sociology
University of Missouri, 2018 - M.A., Sociology
University of Arkansas, 2013 - B.A., Sociology
University of Central Arkansas, 2010
Research Areas
- Social Determinants of Health
- Health Disparities
- Maternal Health
- Food Insecurity
- Preventive Health Services (e.g. Screenings, Vaccination)
Professional Positions
Assistant Professor – Department of Internal Medicine – Institute for Community Health Innovation
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Fayetteville
2020 – Present
Assistant Professor of Sociology – Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Program Coordinator – Poverty Studies
University of Arkansas – Little Rock
2018 – 2020
Teaching
Affiliate Faculty – University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
2021 – on occasion
- General Sociology (SOC 2013)
Assistant Professor – University of Arkansas – Little Rock
2018 – 2020
- Intro to Sociology (SOC 2300)
- Senior Capstone Seminar (SOC 4387)
- Urban Sociology (SOC 3341)
- Poverty and Place (SOC 4395)
Graduate Instructor – University of Missouri
2016 – 2018
- Intro to Sociology (Honors) (SOC 1000H)
- Sociology of Health (SOC 3440)
- The Family (SOC 3420)
- Aging and The Life Course (SOC 4210)
Graduate Teaching Assistant – University of Missouri
2013 – 2014
- Social Research Methods (SOC 2950)
- Intro to Sociology (SOC 1000)
- Criminology (SOC 3600)
Lab Instructor – University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
2012 – 2013
- Advanced Data Analysis Lab (SOC 5311L)
- Social Science Data Analytics Lab (SOC 3440)
Selected Publications
- Willis DE, Bogulski CA, Brown CC, Manning NA, White LS, Selig JP, Li J, McElfish PA. Postpartum Care Screenings by Care Modality Among US Mothers, 2020-2021. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Global Reports. 2025:100541. DOI
- Willis DE, Moore R, Purvis RS, McElfish PA. Hesitant but Vaccinated: Lessons Learned from Hesitant Adopters. Vaccine. 2024;42(20):126135. DOI
- Willis DE, Kaholokula JK, Andersen JA, Selig JP, Bogulski CA, Scott AJ, McElfish PA. Racial Misclassification, Discrimination, Consciousness, and Self-Rated Health among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Adults in the USA. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 2023. DOI
- Willis DE, Montgomery BEE, Selig JP, Andersen JA, Shah SK, Li J, Reece S, Alik D, McElfish PA. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Racial Discrimination among US Adults. Preventive Medicine Reports. 2022;31:102074. DOI
- Willis DE, Selig JP, Andersen JA, Hall S, Hallgren E, Williams M, Bryant-Moore K, McElfish PA. Hesitant but vaccinated: assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the recently vaccinated. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2022. DOI
- People Are Getting COVID Shots Despite Hesitation. Scientific American. Article
- Willis DE, Andersen JA, Montgomery BEE, Selig JP, Shah SK, Zaller N, Bryant-Moore K, Scott AJ, Williams M, McElfish PA. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Experiences of Discrimination Among Black Adults. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 2022. DOI
Interviews and Media
- People Are Getting COVID Shots Despite Hesitation – Scientific American (Read Article)
- Interview on KUAF – Ozarks at Large (Listen)
- Black Arkansans & COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy – NPR, KUAR (Read Article)
Featured Interview
Curriculum Vitae
Profiles
Contact
Email: dewillis@uams.edu