Brittany Rudd, PhD, has joined Michigan State University’s Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health as an assistant professor, bringing a unique expertise in mental health and legal system interventions that promises to advance health equity and systems-level change for vulnerable youth and families.
Rudd, who officially started her role May 1, comes to MSU from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she served as an assistant professor of psychiatry, psychology, and law. A clinical child psychologist by training, Rudd has built a nationally recognized research program focused on integrating mental health support into non-traditional settings — particularly family courts — to reach youth and families in transition and reduce risk for long-term negative outcomes.
“I’m thrilled to continue my work at MSU and within the Department of Public Health, which has a strong commitment to practical research and strong partnerships with communities it serves,” Rudd said. “This is the perfect place to grow my efforts to bring mental health interventions to settings that families already interact with, especially for those who may not otherwise access services.”
Rudd’s expertise isn’t new to MSU. While at UIC, she began a pilot project funded by the National Center for Health and Justice Integration for Suicide Prevention (NCHATS), a $15 million NIH-funded initiative co-led by Jennifer Johnson, Chief Translation Officer in the Office of Health Sciences at Michigan State University; Chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. Rudd is principal investigator of the Family Law Navigation Model, which provides legal resource guidance and behavioral health support to families navigating divorce, custody, or child support disputes.
“This project is about meeting people where they are during difficult life transitions and preventing further involvement with systems like criminal courts or child welfare,” Rudd said. “It’s a way to provide early intervention that promotes mental health and family stability.”
The pilot, launched in Indiana in collaboration with Superior Court Judge Maria D. Granger, is already drawing attention from additional counties interested in adopting the model. Rudd and her team aim to use early results to support a broader evaluation and expansion.
In addition to her Family Law Navigation work, Dr. Rudd NIMH career award is focused on improving suicide prevention among system-involved youth. For the last 7 years, she has worked with legal system partners and youth in Pennsylvania and Illinois to improve the reach and impact of suicide prevention in juvenile detention centers.
Johnson said Rudd’s appointment is a major addition for both the department and the wider MSU Health Sciences ecosystem.
“Dr. Rudd brings an exceptional blend of scientific rigor and community responsiveness,” Johnson said. “Her work bridges legal and health systems in a way that creates real, tangible change for children and families. We’re excited to support and grow that work here at MSU.”
Rudd completed her doctoral training at Indiana University, clinical internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and postdoctoral fellowship in implementation science at the University of Pennsylvania.
She is the recipient of many prestigious awards and honors, including previously being selected as a former NIH Mixed Methods Research Training Program scholar and Implementation Science Institute fellow. She was recently named a National Institute of Mental Health Inspirational Change Maker and invited to share her vision for the future of mental health research at the institute’s 75th Anniversary celebration.
May 6, 2025
