Andrea B. Laporte Professor of Nursing
Professor of Nursing in Surgery
Perelman School of Medicine

Whether they are shot, hit by a car, or suffer multiple stab wounds, some injured patients heal well, physically and mentally. Others may heal physically, but suffer depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therese Richmond’s work on injured patients demonstrates that the psychological effects of trauma, rather than physical injury alone, drive the quality of recovery.

Dr. Richmond is passionate about using nursing science to prevent injury and violence and improve outcomes, particularly in patients from vulnerable urban populations worldwide – those who live on the margins of society, have limited resources, or live in pervasively violent communities. An early clinical position in a Washington, DC trauma ICU and resuscitation unit sparked Dr. Richmond’s interest in preventing injuries and her curiosity about survivors’ quality of life. This experience led to specialization in nursing care for victims of injury and violence, including co-founding the Firearm & Injury Center at Penn three decades ago and which now is a vibrant interdisciplinary research center: the Penn Injury Science Center.

“It is a privilege to work with vulnerable individuals, families, and communities to prevent the impact of injury and violence and improve recovery from serious injury.”

Education

  • PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 1995
  • MSN, Catholic University of America, 1982
  • BSN, University of Delaware,, 1978
  • Diploma, Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing, 1975