University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) alumna Keita Franklin, PhD, MSW ’00, is the author of the forthcoming book “The Humanity Cure: How Small Acts Can Change the World.”
Dr. Franklin is a nationally recognized public health leader and senior executive with more than 25 years of experience advancing systems change across federal and health care sectors. Her career has focused on suicide prevention, behavioral health, substance use, and the integration of public health approaches within complex organizations.
Throughout her distinguished leadership in the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Franklin helped shape and advance evidence-based suicide prevention strategies, coordinated care during critical transition periods, and championed a broader public health approach to behavioral health and risk reduction. She also has served in national leadership and advisory roles, including with the Columbia Lighthouse Project, where she continues to support implementation of evidence-based suicide risk screening efforts.
Dr. Franklin currently serves as vice president of health care strategy at TriWest Healthcare Alliance and has made significant contributions to public health research, policy, and practice throughout her career. In addition to “The Humanity Cure,” she is preparing to release “A Field Practitioner’s Guide to Public Health Approaches for Suicide Prevention” in 2026.
We are proud to celebrate Dr. Franklin’s accomplishments and her continued impact as a UMSSW alumna, scholar, and leader.
Learn more about her work at The Humanity Cure website.