BY

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have encouraged and helped me complete my doctoral program and this dissertation. First, I wish to recognize my advisor Dr. Stephen Schondelmeyer for his friendship and invaluable guidance and patience during this journey. Without his support and wisdom it would have not been possible to complete this dissertation. I owe great thanks to Dr. Jon Schommer, the Director of Graduate Studies of Social and Administrative Pharmacy and my thesis committee chair, for his thoughtful comments, recommendations and advice. He always had the proper words to encourage me when I most needed it. I want to express a special gratitude to Dr. Bob Cipolle, a fine friend and committee member, who always cared when I needed it. His kindness, wisdom, and understanding constantly provided me support and confidence to reach my goals. I recognize Dr. Steven Foldes, a friend and colleague from the Diverse Racial Ethnic Groups and Nations (DREGAN) Project, also a committee member, who facilitated my access to the data set and assisted me through the complexities of community based participatory research. I would also like to express my appreciation to Dr. Michael Oakes, who guided me throughout the design and methodological approaches of the dissertation. ii I wish to thank Dr. Peter Morley for his friendship and sophisticated intellect, who through endless conversations helped me to think about new roles and new personal and professional challenges. I recognize my colleagues and staff at the College of Pharmacy for their friendship and support