Jessica Williams, PhD, MPH, PHNA-BC, FAAN

Associate Professor

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Nursing
Campus Box #7460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460

Jessica Williams, PhD, MPH, PHNA-BC, FAAN is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing. She is a board-certified advanced public health nurse with clinical training in both hospital and community settings. Her research focuses on improving the role of the healthcare system in addressing syndemic health outcomes (e.g., chronic pain, HIV, opioid misuse) of interpersonal and gender-based violence and is facilitated through the application of community engagement methodology and dissemination and implementation science. Her research demonstrates how trauma impacts patient-provider communication and access to effective health services. This work highlights the unique difficulties survivors face managing chronic health conditions and how internal resources affect these challenges both positively and negatively. Her most recent research focuses on understanding the contribution of interpersonal violence to chronic pain opioid misuse and factors that promote resiliency among survivors.

Dr. Williams teaches courses in qualitative research methodology and evidence-based practice. She also provides training for health providers focused on screening and responding to interpersonal and gender-based violence within healthcare settings based on current evidence-based practice guidelines. She earned her PhD in 2008 from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

AHEC-SON FACULTY

Jessica R. Williams, PhD, MPH, PHNA-BC, FAAN is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing. She is a board-certified advanced public health nurse with clinical training in both hospital and community settings. Her research focuses on improving the role of the healthcare system in addressing long-term sequalae (e.g., chronic pain, HIV, opioid misuse) of gender-based violence and is facilitated through the application of community engagement methodology and dissemination and implementation science. Her research demonstrates how trauma impacts patient-provider communication and access to effective health services. This work highlights the unique difficulties survivors face managing chronic health conditions and how internal resources affect these challenges both positively and negatively. Her most recent research focuses on understanding the contribution of gender-based violence to opioid misuse and identifying factors that promote resiliency among survivors. Dr. Williams regularly teaches courses for health providers focused on screening and responding to intimate partner violence within healthcare settings based on current evidence-based practice guidelines. She earned her PhD in 2008 from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. 

 Available for presentations: I am happy to talk about any of the topics listed above, and can develop more specialized programs within any of these categories: 

  •  Interpersonal Violence and Trauma 
  •  Trauma-Informed Care 

Previously Taught AHEC SON Topics, if applicable: 

  •  Creating a culture of care for survivors of intimate partner violence 
  •  Addressing trauma and violence in pregnancy