Staff with Purpose and Passion: Lisa Rogers, MS, MPH

An Immunologist's Journey: From Lab Bench to Public Health

Lisa Rogers, Executive Director of the Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care, has a career path that is a fascinating journey, highlighting a shift from traditional immunology research to a passionate focus on public health and community-based solutions. After a career spanning several departments at the University of Minnesota and a stint at 3M Pharmaceuticals, Rogers found her calling in addressing health disparities. This transition led her to pursue a Master's degree in technical communications and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota.

A Passion for Solving Problems
The core of Rogers’ work is a strong desire to solve problems for people, a goal she feels is at the heart of the University's mission. She believes that what sets the University of Minnesota apart from private companies or institutions is its focus on tackling real-world community issues. Unlike the profit-driven motives you might find elsewhere, the University’s mission-oriented approach is what makes her work feel so meaningful.

A key example of this is her involvement in projects such as CHAAMPS, which studied the health of African American men, and EMPACT, which aimed to increase minority enrollment in clinical trials —a group that has historically been underrepresented.

Rural Reality
Rogers’ problem-solving skills really came into play when she and a colleague, Dr. Greg Beilman, were tasked with creating a new center for trauma care. The Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care focuses on filling critical healthcare gaps in what Rogers refers to as "austere environments."

For example, in rural Minnesota, the reality of pre-hospital care in areas like Grand Marais is that volunteer medics with basic life support training often have to transport patients to a hospital two hours away — a stark contrast to the Twin Cities, where emergency services are highly skilled and efficient. Another example is the focus on improving military prolonged field care for injured service members who are far from a definitive care facility.

This work is personal for Rogers, who lived in a frontier town in northern Arizona where healthcare was difficult to access. She connects with rural communities by sharing her own background, reminding them that she understands their struggles.

The Power of Collaboration and Diverse Perspectives
Rogers emphasizes that the University of Minnesota is a place of collaboration and mentorship. She credits several mentors, including Dr. David Rothenberger, for helping her develop the crucial skill of communicating complex scientific information to non-academic audiences. This ability is vital for bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding.

Rogers stresses that diversity is crucial, and that doesn't just mean race or gender; it encompasses a broader range of factors. She believes that bringing together a variety of experiences and expertise is key. For instance, her center comprises a mix of individuals—physicians, biochemists, engineers, and even a former special forces member—to approach problems from multiple angles. She finds that this blend of viewpoints leads to much better solutions.

"I might think I have a great solution, and then I sit down with somebody with a different experience and a different viewpoint who goes, 'Here's why I don't know that that's gonna work,'" she explains.

Looking to the Future
Despite many challenges facing academic institutions, Rogers remains hopeful. She's particularly excited about the progress of the center's education program, which recently saw its first two military medics enter medical school. This work, she says, is gratifying because "you get to make a person's dream come true." The University supports a culture that values shared goals, collaborative work, and a commitment to making a tangible difference in the world. As she says, "It's never boring."