Tyler Bartholomew, Ph.D., has been named director of the Division of Health Services Research and Policy (HSRP) in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Bartholomew, an associate professor in the department, brings expertise in implementation science, health services research, harm reduction and the prevention of infectious complications associated with substance use.
He succeeds Kathryn E. McCollister, Ph.D., who previously directed the division and now chairs the Department of Public Health Sciences.
"Dr. Bartholomew identifies a problem, builds the evidence, and stays with it until something changes in practice or in policy,” Dr. McCollister said. “IDEA Miami is the clearest example of that, and the state legislation that followed is exactly the kind of outcome this division exists to produce.”
“He is also a generous colleague and a caring mentor, which matters as much as the science does. HSRP has real strengths in implementation science, health economics, clinical trial design and evaluation, decision science, and global health policy. Tyler is the right person to build on those strengths and to deepen our partnerships across the University and into the community,” she added.
Translating Research into Systems Change
Dr. Bartholomew’s research focuses on improving health services, systems and policies for people who use drugs, particularly those who inject drugs and experience an increased risk of infectious diseases.
He serves as co-principal investigator of the IDEA Lab, which implements, disseminates, evaluates, and advocates for programs designed to improve the health of people who use drugs. His work combines community-driven research and implementation science to identify practical approaches that can be scaled and sustained within health care and public health systems.
Dr. Bartholomew led research and evaluation efforts for the IDEA Miami Syringe Services Program, the first legal syringe services program in Florida. Findings and experience from the program helped inform statewide legislation enacted in 2019 that authorized counties throughout Florida to establish syringe services programs.
His research has received support from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gilead Sciences. He is also an investigator in the National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Clinical Trials Network Florida Node Alliance.
Through a partnership with the Florida Harm Reduction Collective, Dr. Bartholomew supports the adoption, implementation and long-term sustainability of syringe services programs across the state. He has also served on the organization’s board of directors.
“While many researchers identify critical public health challenges, Dr. Bartholomew remains deeply engaged in the work required to develop, evaluate and refine sustainable solutions,” said Margie Jimenez, M.A., CRA, assistant chair. “His contributions through IDEA Miami exemplify the impact of rigorous science, community partnership and sustained commitment in shaping systems beyond a single program. This combination will be invaluable as he leads HSRP.”
Expanding the Division's Impact
As division director, Dr. Bartholomew will support faculty, students and research teams working to improve the delivery, accessibility and effectiveness of health services. His leadership will also help advance interdisciplinary research and partnerships that connect evidence with public health practice and policy.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the HSRP, and I’m excited to help shape what comes next,” Dr. Bartholomew said. “What excites me most is the chance to build on the strengths of our division faculty while creating a shared vision for where we can go next.”
“I want us to be a place that asks big yet practical questions about how we make health systems work better for people, especially for communities that have too often been left behind. That means strengthening our leadership in implementation science, helping shape how artificial intelligence is thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into health care, and advancing more equitable models of care,” he added.
“Just as important to me is creating a culture where faculty and students feel supported to take risks, pursue ambitious ideas, work across disciplines, and build meaningful partnerships through trust and a shared vision. At the end of the day, I hope our division is known not only for the quality of the science we produce, but for the difference that science makes in health systems, communities, and people’s lives,” concluded Dr. Bartholomew.
Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published September 1, 2026.
