CV

Post-Doctoral Scholar (2024-present)

School of Global Health Management & Informatics

University of Central Florida

Doctor of Philosophy (2023)

Global and Community Health Services Research

School of Public Administration 

University of Central Florida 

Master of Health Administration (2017)

School of Global Health Management & Informatics

University of Central Florida

Bachelor of Science, Psychology (2014) 

College of Sciences

University of Central Florida

The Role of State Medicaid Policies in Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder in the Criminal Justice Population: Evidence from the Treatment Episode Datasets

Committee: Danielle Atkins (chair), Barbara Andraka-Christou, Jill Viglione, Lynn Unruh

Brief Summary: 

My dissertation examined the effects of state policies expanding access to Medicaid coverage on outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) referred to treatment by the criminal justice system using a quasi-experimental, difference-in-difference framework and data from the Treatment Episode Dataset-Admissions (TEDS-A) from 2006-2019. More specifically, I estimated the effects of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Medicaid expansion policy on insurance coverage at admission (i.e., Medicaid, private, uninsured, or other sources) and planned utilization of medications for OUD for all criminal justice referrals and the effects of the Medicaid suspension policy for justice-involved individuals and ACA Medicaid expansion on outcomes for individuals referred from prison or probation/parole since suspension policies should only affect recently incarcerated individuals. 

This study will provide some of the first evidence of the effects of both state Medicaid expansion and suspension policies on access and health services outcomes for individuals with OUD referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. To date, 12 states have not expanded Medicaid, 13 states have not adopted a suspension policy for incarcerated individuals, and among those states, four have adopted neither. This study will provide new evidence for state policymakers to consider as they navigate decisions regarding Medicaid expansion and/or suspension policies. Moreover, the Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021 is currently in Congress and would allow states to reinstate Medicaid 30 days prior to release for incarcerated individuals, which underscores the timeliness of this research.

Externally Funded Research

The Role of State Medicaid Policies in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the Criminal Justice Population: Evidence from the Treatment Episode Datasets

Funder: National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) R36 – Dissertation Grant

Role: Principal Investigator

Identifying MOUD Decision-Making Factors in Criminal Problem-Solving Courts

Funder: Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN, an NIH Initiative)

Role: Co-Investigator (Andraka-Christou, PI)

Enhancement & Evaluation for Florida’s Family Dependency Drug Courts

Funder: Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice“

Role: Local Co-Investigator & Program Evaluator at UCF (Elisabeth Kiel, PI)

Evaluating the Florida Opioid Initiative

Funder: Florida Supreme Court Office of States Court Administrator

Role: Co-Investigator (Barbara Andraka-Christou, PI)

Internally Funded Research

Exploratory Mixed Method Study of Recovery Coaching for Family Members of Loved Ones with Substance Use Disorder

Funder: University of Central Florida Office of Research Seed Funding Exploratory Research Award

Role: Co- Investigator (Danielle Atkins, PI)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Ahmed, F. Z., Golan, O. K., Totaram, R., Akil, S., Fatima-Hashani, N., Whitaker, D., Pigott, T., & Andraka-Christou, B.  (2025). Analyzing the Discursive Framing of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUDs) in U.S. News Media: A Comparative Study of Benefits, Persuasion Methods, and Temporal Trends. Health Communication.

Del Pozo, B., Rouhani, S., Bailey, A., Clark, MH., Martins, K., Ahmed, F.Z., Atkins, D., & Andraka-Christou, B. (2025) The effects of framing on US police chiefs’ support for public health and harm reduction interventions for people who use drugs: A randomized, controlled survey experiment. Health & Justice, 12(1), 50.

Andraka-Christou, B., Viglione, J., Ahmed, F., Del Pozo, B., Atkins, D. N., Clark, M. H., ... & Pivovarova, E. (2025). Factors affecting problem-solving court team decisions about medications for opioid use disorder. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 168, 209525.

Golan, O. K., Ahmed, F.Z., Andraka-Christou, B., Totaram, R., Asi, Y., Atkins, D. (2024). Impact of COVID-19 on Florida family dependency drug courts. Health & Justice, 12(1), 1-11.

Ahmed, F.Z., Andraka-Christou, B., Clark, M. H., Totaram, R., Atkins, D. N., & Del Pozo, B. (2022). Barriers to medications for opioid use disorder in the court system: provider availability, provider “trustworthiness,” and cost. Health & Justice, 10(1), 1-13.

Under Review

Andraka-Christou, B., Golan, O., Asi, Y., Atkins, D., Totaram, R., & Ahmed, F.Z. Implementation of evidence-based practices in five Florida family dependency drug courts: Lessons learned from court team member perspectives. Under review at Implementation Science.

Ahmed, F. Z., Noblin, A., Coutelyou, K., & Tynes, G. Evaluating the Readability, Accessibility, and Quality of Online Health Information on Opioid Use Disorder: A Comparative Analysis of Government and Non-Government Websites. Under review at Advances in Health Information Science and Practice.

Clark MH, Andraka-Christou B, Viglione J, Pivovarova E, Ahmed F.Z., Atkins D, Totaram R, & del Pozo, B. An Experimental Survey of Key Factors Involved in Problem-Solving Court Staff Decisions About Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. Under Review at Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.

Andraka-Christou B, Viglione J, Clark MH, Pivovarova E, Ahmed F.Z., Atkins D, Totaram R, & del Pozo, B. A Mixed Method Study of Problem-Solving Courts and MOUD Provider Partnerships. Submitted to Health and Justice.

Current Research Investigations

Investigation Completed – Manuscript in Process

Ahmed, F.Z., Harris, S., Andraka-Christou, B., Akil, S., & Margaritis, W. Factors Affecting Accessibility of Campus-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment for U.S. College Students

Ahmed F Z, Andraka-Christou B, Harris S, Margaritis W, Clark MH, Shewale S, & Akil S. Perceived Reasons for Co-Using Opioids and Stimulants in the United States: A Mixed Methods Study.

Shewale S, Ahmed, F. Z., Akil, S., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D. N., Clark, MH., & Totaram, R. A Recovery program for family members with loved one’s with substance use: Impacts on inner peace, communication, and addiction knowledge.

Polischuck, L., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D. N., Clark, MH., Ahmed, F. Z., Totaram, R., & Akil, S. A qualitative study of medical marijuana policies in Florida’s family treatment courts.

Shewale S, Andraka-Christou B, Harris S, Ahmed F Z, Clark MH, Margaritis W, & Akil S. Association of State Political Orientation, Location of Services, Funding Source, and the Range of Services Offered in Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Andraka-Christou, B., Ahmed, F.Z., Koval, A., Madeira, J., & Cortelyou, K. Developing the Mobile Mental Health Instrument for College Students.

Atkins D, Andraka-Christou B, & Ahmed F.Z. Public Knowledge, Awareness, & Attitudes Toward Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.

Investigation Ongoing

Andraka-Christou B, Ahmed F.Z., Shewale S, Pivovarova E, Martinez N, & Shields M. A scoping review of outcomes and experiences with involuntary civil commitment (ICC) and/or conservatorship for substance use disorder among people with SUD.

Andraka-Christou B, Ahmed F.Z., Akil S, & Nelson B. A Scoping Review of Problem-Solving Court Staff Attitudes, Practices, and Policies Regarding Medication for Opioid Use Disorders.

Siger M, Loch S, Andraka-Christou B, Ahmed FZ, Shewale S, & Thomas N. Improving Outcomes for Substance-Affected Families in the Child Welfare System: Review of State and Federal Laws on Plans of Safe Care

Andraka-Christou B, Atkins D, Ahmed F.Z., & Clark MH, Trends in Florida family dependency drug court data participant treatment usage and outcomes.

*Presented by

Podium Presentations

2024  *Andraka-Christou B, Viglione J, Ahmed F, Clark MH, del Pozo B, Pivovarova E, Atkins D, & Totaram R. Mixed method study of collaborations between problem-solving court staff and community providers of medications for opioid use disorder. NIH Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network Steering Committee Annual Meeting. June 12, 2024; Baltimore, MA.

2023  *Andraka-Christou B, Viglione J, Totaram Rs, Ahmed F, Clark MH, del Pozo & B, Atkins DN. Factors involved in problem-solving court decisions to allow medications for opioid use disorder. Oral presentation at the annual conference of Addiction Health Services Research; October 19, 2023; New York City.

2023  * Asi, Y. & Ahmed, F.Z. Medical neglect of political prisoners: Scoping review and analysis. Oral presentation at American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting; November 12, 2023; Atlanta, GA.

2023  *Andraka-Christou, B., Viglione, J., Totaram, R., Ahmed, F.Z., Clark M.H., del Pozo, B., Atkins, D.N. Factors involved in problem-solving court decisions to allow medications for opioid use disorder. Oral presentation at the annual conference of Addiction Health Services Research (AHSR); October 19, 2023; New York City, NY.

2023   Ahmed, F. Z.* & Atkins, D. The Effects of State Medicaid Policy on Health Services Outcomes for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder Referred to Treatment By the Criminal Justice System. Oral presentation at AsheCon; June 14, 2023; St. Louis, MO.

2022   *Ahmed, F., Atkins, D. The Effects of State Medicaid Policy on Health Services Outcomes for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder Referred to Treatment by the Criminal Justice System. Oral Presentation at Southern Economic Association (SEA) 2022 Annual Conference. Fort Lauderdale, FL.

2022   *Ahmed, F., Atkins, D. The Effects of State Medicaid Policy on Health Services Outcomes for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder Referred to Treatment by the Criminal Justice System. Oral Presentation at Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) 2022 Fall Conference. Washington DC.

2022   *Ahmed, F., Atkins, D., Andraka-Christou, B. Individual and Structural Characteristics Associated with Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder for Criminal Justice Referred Individuals. Oral Presentation at 2022 Public Administration Research Conference (PARC). Orlando, FL.

2021   *Ahmed, F.  & Entress, R. Food Security and Inequality during COVID-19: Policy Tools to Promote Equality and Resilience. Oral presentation at 2021 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference. Washington DC. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2021   *Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D., Asi, Y. Barriers and Facilitators of Implementation of Evidence-based Practices in Five Florida Family Dependency Drug Courts. Oral presentation at 2021 UCF Public Administration Research Conference (PARC). Orlando, FL.  (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2021   *Ahmed, F.  & Entress, R. Food Insecurity and Inequality during COVID-19: Policy Tools to Promote Equality and Resilience. Oral presentation at 2021 UCF Public Administration Research Conference (PARC). Orlando, FL.  (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2021   *Ahmed, F. State Medicaid Policies and Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Criminal Justice Population. Oral presentation at Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Student Seminar. Washington DC. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

Poster Presentations

2025  *Ahmed F Z, Andraka-Christou B, Harris S, Margaritis W, Clark MH, Shewale S, & Akil S. Perceived Reasons for Co-Using Opioids and Stimulants in the United States: A Mixed Methods Study. UCF CCIE Research Impact Showcase. March 27, 2025; Orlando, FL.

2024  *Andraka-Christou B, Ahmed F Z, Atkins D, Clark MH, Totaram Rs, & Akil S. Evaluation of BALM: An alternative to Al Anon for family of people with SUD. Addiction Health Services Research annual conference. October 16, 2024; San Francisco, CA.

2023  *Andraka-Christou B, Golan O, Totaram R, Ahmed F.Z., Asi Y, Atkins D. Implementation of evidence-based practices in five Florida family dependency drug courts: Lessons learned from court team member perspectives. Poster presentation at 16th Annual Dissemination and Implementation Conference of Academy Health. December 11, 2023; Arlington, VA.

2023  *Andraka-Christou B, Totaram R, Ahmed F.Z., Atkins DN, Golan, O, Asi, Y. Implementation of evidence-based practices in five Florida family dependency drug courts: Lessons learned from court team member perspectives. Academy Health D&I Conference. Arlington, VA.

2023   Golan OK*, Totaram R, Ahmed F. Z, Akil S, Fatima-Hashani N, Whitaker D, Andraka-Christou B. A Qualitative Comparison of Persuasion Methods and Descriptions of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Medications in U.S. News Media. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.

2022   *Totaram, R., *Ahmed, F., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D., Asi, Y., Family Dependency Drug Court Service Modifications During Covid-19. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Hollywood, FL.

2021   *Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D., Clark, M.H. Florida Court Staff Perceptions Regarding Barriers to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. University of Central Florida Scholar Symposium. Orlando, FL. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2020   *Totaram, R., Randall-Kosich, O., Andraka-Christou, B., Ahmed, F., Pereira, V., Akil, S., Gonzalez, J., Ildefonso, C., Joshi, A., El-Sabawi, T., Rivera-Atilano, R. Codebook Development to Analyze Mentions of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder/Naloxone in National News Media. CCIE RAST Virtual Research Showcase. Orlando, FL.  (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2020   *Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., Randall-Kosich, O., Andraka-Christou, B., Pereira, V., Akil, S., Gonzalez, J., Ildefonso, C., Joshi, A., El-Sabawi, T., Rivera-Atilano, R. Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Naloxone in News Media from 2005-2019. CCIE RAST Virtual Research Showcase. Orlando, FL. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2020   Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D., *Ahmed, F. Florida court staff beliefs and social norms regarding medications for opioid use disorder. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

2020   *Unruh, L., Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., Growth in Administrative Staff Compared to Nursing Staff in Pennsylvania Hospitals, 1991-2018. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. (Virtual due to COVID-19)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

2022   Totaram, R., Ahmed, F., Andraka-Christou, B., Atkins, D., Asi, Y. Service Modifications During COVID-19 and its Impact on Problem-Solving Courts. International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services Newsletter. 7(1):7. Available at: http://iafmhs.org/resources/Documents/Newsletter/IAFMHS%20Newsletter%202022%207(1)%20Winter%20.pdf

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

2024  *Ahmed, F. Z., Atkins, D., & Andraka-Christou, B. Admissions to Treatment and Receipt of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for Criminal Justice Referred Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder. Oral Presentation at the Substance Use Policy and Evaluation and Research Symposium; February 8, 2024; Orlando, FL.

2023   Ahmed, F. Z. & Totaram, R. Graduate Assistant Orientation at School of Global Health Management & Informatics. School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL.

2022   *Andraka-Christou, B., Viglione, J., Atkins, D., Clark, M.H., Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., del Pozo, B. Examining MOUD Decision-Making Factors in Problem Solving Courts. Virtual presentation at: JCOIN Steering Committee Meeting; National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.

2022   Ahmed, F., Totaram, R. Service Modifications During Covid-19 and its Impacts on Florida Dependency Drug Courts. Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator. (Virtual)

2022   Ahmed, F., Totaram, R., Akil, S. Study of Law Enforcement Officers’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, & Perceived Behavioral Controls about Referrals to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. St. Louis Police Department LEAD Program. St. Louis, MO. ​

2021   Ahmed, F. Trends in substance use history and social determinants of health. University of Central Florida’s Pre-Academia Fellowship. Orlando, FL. (Virtual due to COVID-19) 

Guest Lecturer for Dr. Barbara Andraka-Christou, School of Global Health Management & Informatics. University of Central Florida, Spring 2022

PHC 6420 Case Studies in Health Law

Guest Lecturer for Dr. Yara Asi, School of Global Health Management & Informatics. University of Central Florida, Fall 2021

HSA 6766 Health Care Statistics and Research

Lead Teaching Assistant for Dr. Yara Asi, School of Global Health Management & Informatics. University of Central Florida, Fall 2021, Spring 2022

HSA 6776 - Health Care Statistics & Research

Lead Teaching Assistant for Dr. Danielle Atkins, School of Global Health Management & Informatics. University of Central Florida, Fall 2019 - Spring 2021

HSA 2117 - Civic Engagement in the US Healthcare System

HSA 3430 - Health Care Economics

HSA 4702 - Health Sciences Research Methods

HSA 6115 - Health Economics and Policy

HSA 6128 - Health Care Service Management

PHC 6146 - Health Planning and Policy

Lead Teaching Assistant for Dr. Samuel Towne, School of Global Health Management & Informatics. University of Central Florida, Fall 2020

HSC 4564 - Health Care Needs of the Elderly

2022   Graduate Dean's Dissertation Completion Fellowship from the College of Graduate Studies (one dissertation chosen per college)

University of Central Florida

2022  Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Member of Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) local chapter

2021   College of Graduate Studies Presentation Fellowship

University of Central Florida

2020 Doctoral Research Support Award from the College of Graduate Studies (one dissertation chosen per college)

University of Central Florida