She is viewed as a national leader in public systems research as it pertains to how the delivery of services by local public health departments impacts health and health disparities. Her research with state and local health departments has promoted innovation in public health systems research to improve health outcomes. As Deputy Director of the RWJF-funded National Turning Point Initiative, Dr. Bekemeier actively assisted many state public health leaders in strengthening their public health systems state-wide through complex assessment, planning and partnerships. Today, 12 states and their local public health practice-based research partners have formally partnered with Dr. Bekemeier to examine how to better meet the needs of their communities.