Alina M. Perez, JD, MPH, LCSW

Alina M. Perez is a Professor of the Health Care Sciences Department at NSU, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Miami, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of South Florida and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Barry University. Professor Perez is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and certified Qualified Supervisor for social work interns for the State of Florida. She also completed the Heritage Health Policy Fellowship by the American Osteopathic Association in 2006.

Professor Perez adds more than 15 years of practical experience to her 23 years of academic work. She practiced as a medical social worker in the areas of inpatient and outpatient mental health, oncology, ER medicine and Hospice care, and as an attorney in the areas of worker’s compensation, personal injury and family law. Professor Perez’s public health scholarship and community involvement has focused extensively in addressing issues of the minority aging and underserved population. She serves a board member for the South Florida Institute on Aging, a community agency assisting the older population in Florida .  She is also a member of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence, an organization dedicated to examining the connection and effects of the law on the mental health of populations and of the Gerontological Society of America, the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging.

Her scholarly work includes presentations at several local, national and international conferences.  She has several publications including a book, a book chapter and various journal articles on aging, culture and health, end of-life issues, and mental health and the law.  Professor Perez serves on the journal editorial board of the Florida Public Health Review, and as an article reviewer for the American Journal of Public Health and for the Gerontological Society of America.

Professor Perez has received multiple awards for her work in teaching, research and service at NSU. She has been the recipient of 12 Golden Apple Awards, a nominee and finalist for the STUEY Professor of the Year Award, and the recipient of two External Funding Recognition Awards. In 2019, she was elected member to the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and in 2022 to the Alpha Eta Honor Society for the Allied Health Professions.