Lisa Hightow-Weidman leads Florida State University efforts to improve public health using innovative digital platforms
Tallahassee, Florida – In an era where technology increasingly shapes healthcare delivery, Dr. Lisa Hightow-Weidman is redefining the landscape of public health through her pioneering work in digital health. As the director of Florida State University’s College of Nursing Institute on Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI), Hightow-Weidman is leading efforts to integrate technology with clinical care, focusing on improving patient outcomes and addressing chronic public health challenges.
Hightow-Weidman’s career began in the early 2000s as an infectious disease specialist, with a particular focus on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At a time when smartphones were not yet common, her approach to intervention relied on early computer-delivered programs designed to meet young people where they were. “We didn’t necessarily have smartphones. We had cell phones, but they were flip phones back then,” she recalled. “I got into developing computer-delivered interventions because, at the time, it was a way to meet young people where they were.”
As technology evolved, so did her approach to healthcare. Hightow-Weidman expanded her research beyond HIV, addressing other pressing health challenges among youth, including mental health and substance use disorders. She invested in developing digital health platforms that house patient data and provide targeted interventions, creating tools that were both clinically effective and accessible to patients in need.
Hightow-Weidman’s work has been widely recognized for its translational impact. Among her most notable contributions is HealthMPowerment (HMP), a mobile-optimized platform designed to support HIV prevention. HMP was developed in collaboration with institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and bridges the gap between academic research and real-world health solutions. “We’ve been able to show the CDC that HMP, for example, is a successful intervention,” she said. “It’s one of the few true digital health interventions that has that stamp. We’ve shown the importance of digital health tools in addressing some of these conditions.”
Hightow-Weidman joined FSU in 2022 after a 21-year tenure at the University of North Carolina, where she directed the Behavior and Technology Lab. Her move to FSU was motivated by a desire to expand the scope of her work and establish an institute focused on digital health innovation. “There was a lot of support at Florida State to develop the institute,” she said. “In our institute, we’ve really expanded the breadth of what digital health and digital interventions can do — to improve health for all populations and not just focus on research, but also on teaching and innovation.”
The IDHI team comprises six faculty members, twelve affiliated faculty, a founding co-director, two postdoctoral scholars, and additional staff. Together, they tackle a broad spectrum of public health challenges, including HIV, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and more. The institute fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, partnering with departments across the university, including the College of Communication and Information, the College of Medicine, and the Department of Computer Science. “It’s a breeding ground to foster innovation across disciplines and do true team research and science,” Hightow-Weidman said.
The institute’s work is guided by human-centered design and data-driven methodologies, ensuring that digital interventions are both effective and scalable. Hightow-Weidman’s approach emphasizes translating research into tools that clinicians and patients can use in everyday life, making public health interventions more immediate and actionable. By integrating technology with clinical care, her team seeks to reduce barriers to access, improve adherence to treatment, and empower patients to take charge of their health.
Hightow-Weidman also praises FSU’s commitment to research and faculty support. “At FSU, there’s a desire to promote, honor and value research,” she said. “For example, at Discovery Days they hold a principal investigator recognition event. There is a gratitude and respect for research here, and a mindset about the importance of it. Coming here, I felt valued.”
Under Hightow-Weidman’s leadership, the IDHI continues to influence public health policy and practice. Her team collaborates with national organizations, including the CDC, to validate the effectiveness of digital interventions. The institute’s work not only advances academic research but also provides tangible benefits to communities, demonstrating how technology can bridge gaps in healthcare delivery.
As digital platforms become increasingly central to modern medicine, Hightow-Weidman’s work offers a model for the future. By combining clinical expertise, technology, and patient-centered design, she is helping to ensure that public health initiatives are both innovative and accessible. Her research underscores the potential of digital health tools to transform care, particularly for populations that have historically been underserved.
Hightow-Weidman’s vision extends beyond research. She emphasizes the importance of education and innovation, ensuring that students and early-career researchers gain the skills and experience necessary to continue advancing public health through technology. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and integrating digital interventions into both research and practice, she is helping to train the next generation of healthcare leaders.
With a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Lisa Hightow-Weidman has established herself as a pioneer in digital health, leveraging technology to improve health outcomes, enhance patient care, and inform public health policy. Her work at FSU’s IDHI illustrates the transformative potential of integrating digital platforms with clinical research, demonstrating that innovative solutions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities alike.
For more information about the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation and its ongoing projects, visit idhi.fsu.edu.
