FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Peiyin Hung
Ph.D.
Championing Rural Health A defining voice in rural health research, Peiyin Hung, an associate professor in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management and co-director of the Rural Health Research Center, was named the 2025 Outstanding Researcher of the Year by the National Rural Health Association and a 2025 Health Equity Honoree by the Fierce 50 program. These honors recognize her sustained excellence and leadership in rural health research over the past two decades. Hung’s work spans health policy, maternal care and rural health equity. Her analyses have influenced national efforts like the White House Maternal Health Blueprint and Rural Action Plan and shaped bipartisan legislation such as the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act. Her leadership roles include co-chairing the Rural Obstetric Readiness Workgroup for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and serving on multiple U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advisory committees focused on health equity. Since joining USC, Hung has garnered millions in research funding, produced over 100 peer-reviewed publications and trained future health scholars.
“Dr. Hung’s research is not only voluminous, but also rigorous and impactful. Her work translates into tangible health benefits for rural populations.” — Xiaoming Li, USC Big Data Health Science Center Co-Director
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