Janna Lesser, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Director and Professor
School of Nursing
Our School of Nursing collaborates with interdisciplinary academic programs at Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï and community of health care professionals to address health disparities among women and their families.
The Center for Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï-Based Health Promotion with Women and Children promotes Íø±¬³Ô¹Ï-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), a research method that unites communities and academic researchers in the common goal of addressing community-identified needs through a process of sharing power, establishing trust, fostering co-learning, enhancing strengths and ultimately building community capacity. While marginalized and disenfranchised groups have historically had reason to mistrust health researchers, CBPR has emerged as a viable method to promote equity and trust among partners throughout the research process.
Our Center promotes collaboration between interdisciplinary academics, community members and healthcare profession students to address health disparities among women and their families, health disparities that are associated with social, political, and economic issues such as poverty, inadequate housing, racism, and lack of access to health resources. Our Center provides mentoring in CBPR methods and scholarship to faculty, students, and community members.