Kristina A. Hamilton, MPH
Adjunct Lecturer
Health Policy and Administration
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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About
Kristina Hamilton is a Lecturer in the Health Policy and Administration division in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago and Director of Advocacy for Illinois and Iowa at the American Lung Association. The American Lung Association is a 120-year-old organization dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Based in Chicago, Ms. Hamilton leads all public policy efforts in Illinois and Iowa related to lung health issues, including tobacco use prevention and control, healthcare access, air quality, and lung disease treatment and awareness. Since beginning her full-time work with the Lung Association in 2014, Ms. Hamilton's legislative successes include helping to: pass a law to require Illinois Medicaid to cover tobacco cessation counseling, garner new state funding for lung cancer screening in Illinois, defend the landmark Smoke Free Illinois Act and the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, pass laws requiring radon testing and allowing emergency asthma medication in Iowa schools, and pass a law capping the cost of prescription inhaler copays in Illinois. Ms. Hamilton helped launch the American Lung Association’s first-ever National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, served as the inaugural chair from 2020-2022 and was awarded the Lung Association’s National 2022 Innovation Award for her efforts. Previously, Ms. Hamilton was the manager of government relations at Adtalem Global Education, a leading workforce solutions provider that operates educational institutions, including medical, nursing and veterinary schools. Prior to joining Adtalem, she held various leadership roles at the Lung Association in Illinois where she implemented several community health and public policy initiatives. Ms. Hamilton spent three years at the Public Leadership Education Network in Washington, DC organizing and leading programming to encourage young women and marginalized gender groups to pursue careers in public policy.
Originally from a suburb of Washington, DC, Ms. Hamilton enjoys traveling, yoga, the outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.
Notable Honors
2022, National Innovation Award, American Lung Association
2014, Chancellor's Student Service Learning Award, UIC School of Public Health
2014, Delta Omega Honor Society, Lamda Chapter, UIC School of Public Health
Education
MPH 2014 Health Policy and Administration, UIC School of Public Health
BA 2009 History; BA, African American Studies, University of Virginia