Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW
Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW is the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and A
Dr. Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW currently serves as the Secretary of the
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), appointed to the position by
Governor Josh Shapiro in January 2023. With over 30 years dedicated to addressing the physical
and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations, she brings extensive experience to her
role. Prior to joining DDAP, Dr. Davis-Jones held the position of Senior Director of Behavioral
Health at Highmark Wholecare, where she provided leadership and administrative oversight for
behavioral health programs, including expanding into new markets and implementing health
management initiatives.
Dr. Davis-Jones's academic contributions include teaching foundational courses on social work
practice, diversity, risk, oppression, resilience, and empowerment. She played a pivotal role in
contributing to the content and analysis of measures for the book "Measuring Race and
Ethnicity: Inside and Out" by the late Dr. Larry Davis and Dr. Rafael Engel. This work focused
on psychological measures related to racial identity, acculturation, and intra and intergroup
relations, enhancing researchers' ability to compare concepts across groups and evaluate
disparities. Additionally, she served as co-principal investigator on the Strengthening Pittsburgh’s
African American Nonprofits (SPAAN) Project at the University of Pittsburgh-School of Social
Work.
Dr. Davis-Jones's commitment to community service is evidenced by her receipt of numerous
community awards and her active participation on local boards, reflecting her dedication to
making a positive impact beyond her professional responsibilities.
She has also been a vocal advocate in addressing the opioid epidemic, delivering public
testimonies before the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees, and presenting at
national and local conferences. Her collaborative efforts have contributed to published reports
and journal articles focused on tackling the opioid epidemic in Allegheny County.