About Us

Dr. Wansoo Im

Dr. Wansoo Im is a champion of community engagement through participatory mapping. As a Professor in the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College and Director of the National Community Mapping Center, he harnesses interactive, web- and mobile-based GIS to involve local residents in identifying and addressing critical social and environmental challenges. Dr. Im’s approach empowers communities to gather, analyze, and visualize data, thereby informing meaningful policy and health interventions. His volunteer-driven efforts—such as mapping New York City’s public restrooms and gas stations during Hurricane Sandy—demonstrate the transformative potential of crowdsourcing. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Dr. Im’s work not only enriches public health research but also elevates the voices of marginalized populations, fostering shared ownership and collective problem-solving.


Contact: wim@mmc.edu


Rebekah Zenaye

Research Assistant

Rebekah recently earned her B.A. in Medicine, Health, & Society and Psychology from Vanderbilt University and plans to pursue medical school after her gap year. Her passion for making a difference in the community led her to assist in Dr. Im's Community Mapping projects, notably the Meharry HBCU Wellness Project and Nashville Food Access initiatives. Beyond her involvement in community mapping, Rebekah's academic interests encompass critical areas like racial/ethnic health disparities, mental health awareness, and the impact of social determinants on health. Her commitment to these topics reflects her desire to contribute positively to addressing pressing healthcare challenges. 



Dr. Garrett Harper

Social Impact Advisor

Dr. Garrett Harper serves in Strategic Planning and Research for Metropolitan Social Services in Nashville.  Dr. Harper holds the following degrees: Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., M.T.S., M.S.I.O.P, M.S.A.N.R., and a Certificate in GIS. He is completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in the field of chaplaincy, along with Clinical Pastoral Education. 

Dr. Harper has worked extensively in the areas of business strategy and research, teaching in higher education, and public policy. His work and interests are in the fields of chaplaincy, spiritual care, organizational psychology, language, and human well-being.


Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi

Health Policy & Community Engagement Advisor

Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi, an accomplished physician scientist and advocate for health equity, currently holds the prestigious RWJF Chair for Health Policy and serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Practice within the School of Graduate Studies at Meharry Medical College.

Dr. Nabaweesi's remarkable journey in the field of medicine and public health has been marked by a steadfast commitment to addressing pressing societal issues. Her work centers on the critical intersection of health policy, social determinants of health, and injuries, with a focus on mitigating health and educational disparities among vulnerable populations. 

As a physician scientist, Dr. Nabaweesi employs a multidisciplinary approach to her work, emphasizing implementation and community engagement research. Her pioneering efforts have led to innovative solutions aimed at tackling the complex challenges associated with childhood injury, women's and children's health and wellness. Her current study focuses on improving the built environment to foster healthier communities.


Dr. C.J. Sentell

Food Policy and Social Determinants of Health Advisor

Dr. C.J. Sentell is the CEO of The Nashville Food Project. Before joining the Food Project, C.J. served as the Executive Director of FORGE, a community development financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to supporting farmers and rural entrepreneurs. As the curriculum director for Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, C.J. helped launch the first culinary school in the U.S. based on a full food systems approach to culinary education, and prior to that helped found the Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative. An alumnus of Hendrix College, C.J. holds an M.Phil. in the history and philosophy of science from University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. 

A farmer himself, C.J. has studied food systems in multiple countries and across multiple traditions, including his doctoral research on the relationship between freedom and food, slavery and agriculture. Other scholarly interests include social and political theory (esp. social determinants of health, biopolitics, race, and democracy), environmental ethics, and the American philosophical traditions. Born on a nut farm north of Shreveport, Louisiana, C.J. has lived in Nashville for more than 20 years, and currently lives with his wife and three children in Bellevue.