Evaluators

Dr. Smith F. Heavner, PhD, RN is the Chief Executive Officer of Pragmatic Approach. They provide leadership and direction to the firm and are responsible for ensuring alignment of Pragmatic Approach’s work with its mission and vision, while promoting evidence-based practice and the pursuit of equity and justice.

Expertise

Dr. Heavner has experience in evaluative thinking, stakeholder engagement, and implementation science. They began their career as a registered nurse and bring more than 10-years of clinical experience with specialization in emergency and critical care medicine before earning their PhD in Applied Health Research and Evaluation at Clemson University. Dr. Heavner has extensive experience applying evaluation methodologies in biomedical informatics, burnout syndrome, and implementing intersectional health disparities programs.

Dr. Mackenzie Stuenkel, PhD is the President of Pragmatic Approach. She provides operational oversight and technical guidance to the firm and is responsible for aligning Pragmatic Approach’s work with industry standards, while promoting ingenuitive and forward thinking practices.

Expertise

Dr. Stuenkel has experience in all stages of program implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. She first got her start in public health research working as a health policy advisor before attending Clemson University for a PhD in Applied Health Research and Evaluation. She is frequently presenting and publishing on dynamic utilization of implementation science frameworks and evaluation development.