Cat Hartwell, MPH
Cat Hartwell works as an engagement strategist and project manager, cultivating new partnerships and projects, and planning events. She earned her MPH in Global Health from New York University and continues to conduct qualitative research that strengthens community climate and disaster resilience. Cat initially joined the team in 2021 as a research coordinator, concentrating on extreme heat, climate and health policy across the U.S., and broader community resilience initiatives. She also worked with Public Health – Seattle & King County, where she led an 18‑month, community‑driven climate adaptation project focused on extreme heat. Before entering the field of public health, Cat spent more than a decade as a documentary television producer in New York City, creating stories for National Geographic, Netflix, and CNN.
Cat’s research interests focus on extreme heat adaptation, climate and health policy, environmental justice, and community resilience.
Recent publications:
Lessons learnt from the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome: a qualitative study of western Washington’s healthcare community response
Forest therapy as a trauma-informed approach to disaster recovery: Insights from a wildfire-affected community
Barriers and facilitators to state public health agency climate and health action: a qualitative assessment