Psychosocial and Community Health: PCH Faculty

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PCH: Faculty

B. Josephine Ensign, DrPH
Associate Professor

Psychosocial & Community Health
357263
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-7263

Email Address: bjensign@u.washington.edu


I am a Family Nurse Practitioner with a doctorate in International Public Health. My clinical and research work for the past 14 years has been with underserved populations in the US, including refugee, gay/lesbian, HIV+, and homeless youth populations. During this time, I have visited and worked with homeless youth-serving agencies in cities around the world to learn about and share in innovative strategies to help improve the health of homeless youth.
The majority of my research to date has focused on needs assessment research using mixed-method approaches (ie.: combination of qualitative and qualitative research methods) of homeless people. I have a special interest in applying practices and approaches from international health to US underserved populations, especially around reproductive health and access to care issues. My research is practice-based, in that I do research with populations for whom I am currently providing primary care services to as a nurse practitioner. My research and practice reciprocally inform and guide each other.
My primary academic appointment is in the School of Nursing, and I hold adjunct appointments in both the School of Public Health and Community Medicine and the Department of Women's Studies. I teach a variety of courses, including an interdisciplinary women's health course, and I help administer the Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

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