Ryan DeMato is an Applied Medical Anthropologist and Public Health professional from Memphis, Tennessee. Having specialized in Biocultural Epidemiology, Ryan has studied a wide range of public health topics including storytelling and maternal healthcare experiences of parents with children with Down Syndrome, maternal and child wellbeing, learning disabilities and education, as well as opioid use and addiction in rural Appalachia.
Ryan has been an educator for some years in the Memphis area as well as Darien, teaching all ages, from public health for physicians to reading intervention for elementary and middle school aged children.
Ryan has joined Positive Directions as a part-time Coalition Coordinator for the Norwalk Partnership (TNP). In this role, he supports a community based coalition focused on preventing substance misuse and promoting mental wellness among youth and young adults in Norwalk.
He is excited to work for the Norwalk Partnership and Positive Directions and use his knowledge to address issues relating to mental health and substance use in Norwalk and the surrounding communities.