Two PhD Students Selected as RWJ Health Policy Research Scholars
We are proud to announce that two Penn Nursing PhD students, Levia A. Sutton, MSN, CRNA, and Emmanuel “Manny” Fernandez, have been selected to participate in one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s leadership programs. These programs connect changemakers across the country—from diverse professions and fields—to learn from and work with one another in creating more just and thriving communities.
September 18, 2024
Specifically, Levia and Manny were selected as Health Policy Research Scholars. Designed for doctoral students from historically marginalized backgrounds and populations underrepresented in specific disciplines, Health Policy Research Scholars help students from all fields apply their work to policies that advance equity and health while building a diverse network of leaders who reflect our changing national demographics.
As members of the program’s newest cohort, Levia focuses on the structural determinants of health, investigating the impact of exposure to community violence on the well-being of individuals in marginalized communities, with a particular interest in the health of Black women.
Manny’s research aims to revolutionize bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and care among disproportionately affected populations. By identifying barriers and facilitators to testing, his work aims to inform targeted interventions to increase STI testing rates–crucial for maximizing the utilization of STI prevention strategies.
To learn more about Health Policy Research Scholars and RWJF’s other leadership programs, and to meet other participants, visit www.healthpolicyresearch-scholars.org
