From a Barber’s Chair, Trimming Vaccine Hesitancy

The tools of science in Stephen Thomas’ laboratory look a lot like a sharp set of clippers and an adjustable chrome and leather chair. The University of Maryland public health professor and director of the Maryland Center for Health Equity has spent his career examining disparities in health access and outcomes, and exploring the potential of barbershops, salons and other trusted community gathering places in closing those gaps.

The first installment of the new video series, “Enterprise: University of Maryland Research Stories,” distills his work throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage vaccination in underserved communities while working to connect on a much broader range of health imperatives as well.