Two Join Institute for Population Health

The Institute for Population Health has hired two new team members to join its expanding efforts and work.

Child Safety Educator

Shannon Martinez, MEd, child safety educator with Creighton University’s Institute for Population Health (IPH), brings more than 21 years of experience as an elementary educator to her work in child injury prevention. A graduate of the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in geography/environmental sciences and elementary education, and of Grand Canyon University with a master’s in elementary education, Martinez has always had a passion for helping others.

“Through my experience as an educator, not only did I get to pursue my passion for helping others, but I discovered new passions in being a lifelong learner, an innovative educator, and ensuring the safety of students in the communities I served,” she said. “When this opportunity presented itself, it appealed to me because it allows me to take all my passions and expand my desire to serve the greater North Omaha community.”

A former military spouse, Martinez said she brings versatility and a variety of perspectives to the IPH team.

“Through innovative and engaging educational practices, I bring a learning culture that’s always evolving and focused on the needs of those I serve. I’m excited to intertwine education and the mission of IPH to develop an amazing community resource that benefits families and children. My role as safety educator is to help the safety center become a true community hub — a place where our North Omaha neighbors can find safety resources and education on key topics all in one welcoming space.”

Project and Policy Manager

Samantha Wall, MPH, project and policy manager for Creighton University’s Institute for Population Health (IPH), is a public health leader and nonprofit founder with expertise in health equity, project management and community-based solutions to reduce disparities in care. 

“I was immediately drawn to this role because it sits at the intersection of public health, community partnership and policy impact,” Wall said. “IPH’s mission to use data and evidence to inform policy and improve systems of care really resonates with my own commitment to translating research into action.”

Before joining Creighton, Wall served as the health equity and access advisor for the Health Center Association of Nebraska and founded the Omaha Better Birth Project, which launched a doula grant program for low-income families. In 2024, she received the Nebraska Public Health Association’s Public Health Defender Award and Health Equity Champion Award recognizing her dedication to building more equitable, community-driven healthcare systems. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and her master’s degree in public health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.