Rita Kukafka

Dr. Rita Kukafka is an esteemed Associate Professor at Columbia University, holding joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and the Mailman School of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College, a Master's in Health Education from New York University, and a Doctorate in Public Health from Columbia's Mailman School. With a robust background that includes a National Library of Medicine postdoctoral fellowship and a Master’s in Biomedical Informatics, Dr. Kukafka has dedicated her career to the intersection of health informatics and public health. She has played a significant role in shaping biomedical informatics research and training at the national level, focusing on patient engagement technologies, risk communication, and the implementation of health-promoting technologies in clinical settings. Her leadership includes directing Columbia's graduate training program in Biomedical Informatics and developing training curricula for healthcare professionals funded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. An active contributor to various professional organizations, Dr. Kukafka has authored over 100 publications and is recognized as a fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics and the New York Academy of Medicine. Her commitment to improving healthcare through informatics solutions continues to influence both academic research and practical applications in public health.