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210-845-3764

lesser@uthscsa.edu

Janna Lesser, PhD, RN, FAAN

Professor

As a nationally recognized expert in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), my contributions extend beyond the walls of health care institutions, as I strive to produce a knowledge exchange between communities and academic settings. I have been conducting funded community-engaged projects among communities living with a myriad of health and social inequities for over twenty-five years. Examples of target populations include inner-city dwelling adolescent mothers and fathers, disenfranchised youth (including youth in the juvenile justice system), families living in predominantly Latino, impoverished communities, urban Native Americans, and individuals living with chronic and severe mental illness. As the director of the South Texas AHEC and the Center for Community-Based Health Promotion with Women and Children, I have created vibrant centers for both service and scholarly activity focused specifically on promoting issues of health equity and social justice engaging the community of interest and young nursing scholars. I work hard to contribute to the professional development of students within my school, other health care disciplines and junior faculty. Success is seen in the accomplishments of these faculty and students in presenting their work at research conferences and manuscript publications. 

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1997 - Doctor in Philosophy - Nursing - University of California, Los Angeles
    • 1988 - Master of Science In Nursing - Nursing - University of California, Los Angeles
    • 1981 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing - Columbia University
    • 1977 - Bachelor of Arts - English - University of California, Berkeley

    Highlights

    Licensure and Certifications

    • Registered Nurse (Texas)

    Honors and Awards

    • 2019, A Visionary Leader of UT Heath School of Nursing Award 
    • 2017, Community Engagement Hero Award for Community Health Improvement Project: Awarded by IIMS, UT Health San Antonio 

    Appointments

    • 2017 - present - Director, Center for South Texas Programs - UTHSA, Center for South Texas Programs
    • 2017 - present - Director, South Texas AHEC Program - UTHSA, Center for South Texas Programs
    • 2016 - present - Director, Center for South Texas Programs, UTHSA - UT Health Science Center San Antonio
    • 2016 - present - Professor with Tenure - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2009 - present - Director - UTHSCSA School of Nursing Center of Excellence for Community-Based Health Promotion in Women and Children, Family and Community Health Systems, San Antonio

  • Instruction & Training

    • 2023, NURS 7377 Mixed Methods for Clinical Nurse Scientists, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020 - 2023, CBPR elective course, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020 - 2021 , Case Study Methodology, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019 - 2022, Qualifying Exam Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2017 - 2022, NURS6105 Role of the Clinical Nurse Scientist, Sole Teacher, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2017-2023, NURE7090 Dissertation Proposal Process in Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2016 - 2023, NURS 7380, Qualitative Inquiry for Clinical Nursing Research, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2016 - 2023, NURS 7373 Nursing: Quantitative Research Methods II, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2021-2023, NURS 7377 Mixed Methods for Clinical Nurse Scientists, Co-Teacher, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing

  • Research & Grants

    Grants

    Currently Funded: 

    • Funding Agency: DSHS/CDC Title: COVID19 and Health Disparities Status: Active Period: 06/2021 – 05/2024 Role: Principal Investigator Total Costs: $1,014,000 
    • Project: U77HP03049 Funding Agency: HRSA Title: Model State-Supported Area Health Education Centers Status: Active Period: 09/2022 - 09/2027 Role: Principal Investigator  Total Costs: $3,606,250 
    • Funding Agency: PCORI Title: Stakeholder engagement to support the bridge between Latino communities and patient centered outcomes research. Status: Active PI: Sara Masoud Co-PIs: Carole White and Janna Lesser Proposed Budget: $249,909 

    Completed Research/Projects

    • Project #: U77HP03049. Funding Agency: HRSA. Title: Model State-Supported Area Health Education Centers. Status: In review. Period: 09/2022 - 09/2027. Role: Principal Investigator % Effort: 10. Total Costs: $3,705,000. Grant Detail: Goals: 1) Prepare a diverse, culturally competent primary care workforce representative of the communities we serve; 2) Improve workforce distribution throughout South Texas, particularly among rural and underserved areas and populations; and 3) Develop and maintain a South Texas healthcare workforce that is prepared to deliver high quality care in a transformational health care delivery system with an emphasis on rural and underserved areas and communities.  
    • Funding Source: Nursing Advisory Council Title: The Impact of COVID-19 Project ECHO Workers Status: Active Period: 2021-2022 Role CoI (PI: Pam Recto) Total Costs: $5000 
    • Funding Source: LINC Title: A Co-curricular IPE for Health Professions Students: A World Cafe Approach for Facilitating Knowledge about IPEC and Patient-Centered Care Status: Active Period: 2021-2022 Role: CoI (PI: Pam Recto) Total Costs: $5000 
    • Funding Agency: HRSA AHEC Supplemental Award Title: HRSA CARES Act Supplemental Funding Award Amount: $190,910 COVID-19 activity supplement Status: Completed Period: 2020-2021 Role: Principal Investigator Total Costs: $190,910 

     

     

      

     

  • Service

    School

    Student Mentees/Trainees

    Current in Progress Students.  

    • 2022,  Doctoral Dissertation, Sara Masoud, Translation Science (TS), Membership on Supervision Committee 

    Dissertation Committee Chair: Current in Progress Students 

    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Ashlie Glassner, UT Health San Antonio. Title: Co-learning about the impact of stigma on persons living with young-onset         dementia: A participatory action research 
    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Shanae Rhodes, UT Health San Antonio. Title: Being a Superwoman, the Experience of African American Dementia Caregivers and Their Mental Health: A Mixed Methods study 
    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Lisa Dodge, UT Health San Antonio. Title: How do family members describe their experience of losing a loved one  during the first wave of the Pandemic? 
    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Holly Johnson-Rodriguez, UT Health Science Center. Title: The Trauma experienced by ICU nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: A Mixed Methods Study 
    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Adriana Munoz, UT Health Science Center 
    • 2022, Doctoral Dissertation, Nia Lane, UT Health Science Center. Title: The Perceived Life Experiences of Black AME Church Members and their Influence on Health

    Institutional

    • 2020 - 2021, UT Health San Antonio.LINC Co-Curricular IPE Committee 
    • 2016 – Present, UT Health San Antonio Community Engagement Core, IIMS, Present  Member 
    • 2014 – Present,  UT Health San Antonio, VPR Search Committee, Member 
    • 2010 – Present. UT Health San Antonio, Faculty Council (FC), Member 
    • 2008 – Present, UT Health San Antonio, SON, Undergraduate APG Committee, Member 
    • 2003 – Present, UT Health San Antonio Faculty Assembly (FA) Member 

     

    Service to the Profession

    • 2016 - Present, National Upcoming special edition of Issues in Mental Health Nursing on Refugee Mental Health Guest Editor 
    • 2016 - Present, International Special edition of Journal of Research in Nursing, Using Mixed Methods to conduct Patient-Centered Research Guest Editor 
    • 2016 - Present, National Cultural Competence Column in Issues in Mental Health Nursing Co-Editor. Co-edit column (with Jackie Flaskerud) 
    • 2015 - Present, International Journal of Research in Nursing, Appointed as an International Associated Board Member 
    • 2011 - Present, National Progress in Community Health Partnerships Journal Reviewer 
    • 2007 - Present, National Western Journal of Nursing Research Journal Reviewer

    Professional Affiliations 

    • 2008-Present, Society for Adolescent Medicine 
    • 2006-Present, Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH) 
    • 2006-Present, Texas Regional Chapter Society for Adolescent Medicine 
    • 2005-Present, Sigma Theta Tau International 
    • 2005-Present, Southern Nursing Research Society 
    • 2005-Present, Western Institute of Nursing 

    Community

    • 2020 - Present, My Sisters Keepers (MSK). CBPR Consultant 
    • ​2007 - Present, Las Mujeres Nobles de Harlandale/Mujeres Westside, Organizing Committee Member 
    • 2005 - Present, Prosumers Group, Sponsor 
    • 2005 - Present, Familias En Accion Community Collaborative Council, Organizing Committee Member 
    • 2005 - Present, American Indians in Texas - Spanish Colonial Missions and MESA Center for Health Disparities Community-Academic Partnership, Organizing Committee Member 

  • Publications

      Peer-reviewed Articles (*indicates data-based) 

      • *Recto, P., Lesser, J., Paleo, J., Gray, A.H., Zapata Jr., J., A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, Eduardo Gandara. (in-press). Teaching person-centered care and interprofessional collaboration through a virtual mental health world café: A mixed methods IPE pilot project. Issues in Mental Health Nursing.  

      • Lesser, J., Castilla, M., Castillo, C., Escareno, J., Flores, M., Gandara, E., Hernandez, L., Morales, V., Recto, P., Vela, V., Zapata Jr., J., Zavala-Idar, A. (in-press). Developing a COVID-19 health equity workgroup with CHWs: Answering a call to action. Issues in Mental Health Nursing.  
      • Gandara, E., Recto, P., Zapata, J., Jr, Moreno-Vasquez, A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, M., Hernández, L., Flores, M., Escareño, J., Castillo, C., Morales, V., Medellin, H., Vega, B., Lesser, J.(2023) Using CBPR to translate an English to Spanish language CHW COVID-19 & health inequities project echo within South Texas. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 44(3), 218-222. https://doi-org.libproxy.uthscsa.edu/10.1080/01612840.2022.2029103  
      • *Recto, P., Lesser, J., Paleo, J., Gray, A.H., Zapata Jr., J., Moreno-Vasquez, A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, (2023).  The co-development and implementation of a mental health world cafe. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2022.2085453  
      • *Recto, P., Zapata Jr., J., Gandara, E., Moreno-Vasquez, A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, M., Hernandez, L., Flores, M., Escareno, J., Castillo, C., Morales, V., Lesser, J. (2022). Supporting community health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods pilot. Public Health Nursing, 40(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13144.   
      • *Gandara, E., Recto, P., Zapata, J., Jr, Moreno-Vasquez, A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, M., Hernández, L., Flores, M., Escareño, J., Castillo, C., Morales, V., Medellin, H., Vega, B., Hoffman, B., González, M., & Lesser, J. (2022). A program evaluation of a pilot Spanish opioid use disorder project echo program for CHWs. Public Health Nursing.  
      • *Recto, P., Lesser, J., Farokhi, M.R., Lacy, C.J., Chapa, I., Garcia, S., Geelhoed, M., Johnson, L., Stone, M., Worabo, H., & Zorek, J.A. (2022). Addressing health inequities through co-curricular interprofessional education. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100549  
      • *Zapata, J., Jr, Lesser, J., Recto, P., Moreno-Vasquez, A., & Idar, A. Z. (2022). Perceptions of Community Health Workers during Two Concurrent National Health Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19. Issues in mental health nursing, 1–9. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2021.2011508 
      • * Recto, P., Zapata, J., Jr, Gandara, E., Moreno-Vasquez, A., Zavala Idar, A., Castilla, M., Hernandez, L., Flores, M., Escareno, J., Castillo, C., Morales, V., & Lesser, J. (2022). The Vital Role of CHWs During the COVID-19 Pandemic within the South Texas Communities. Issues in mental health nursing, 1–4. Advance online publication. https://doi-org.libproxy.uthscsa.edu/10.1080/01612840.2022.2027695 
      • *Eduardo Gandara, Pamela Recto, Jose Zapata Jr., Andrea Moreno-Vasquez, Annette Zavala Idar, Martha Castilla, Ludivina Hernández, Melissa Flores, Juana Escareño, Cynthia Castillo, Vicky Morales, Hazel Medellin, Bonifacio Vega, Brenda Hoffman, Mayra González & Janna Lesser (2022) Using CBPR Principles with CHWs to Translate an English to Spanish Language CHW COVID-19 & Health Inequities Project ECHO within South Texas, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2029103 
      • *Moreno-Vasquez A, Lesser, J et al. Essentials to the fabric of their community: COVID-19 and female domestic woekders living on the westside of San Antonio. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 2021, http://doi.org/10.1080/0612840.2021.1995979. 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J et al. The development and implememtation of a COVID-19 project ECHO: A program for community health workerds serving populations from rural and medically underserved areas in South Texas, Issues in Mental health Nursing. online: 2021, http://doi.org/10/1080/0612840.2021.1954449. 
      • *Oscos‐Sanchez, Manuel Angel; Lesser, Janna; Oscos‐Flores, Luz Dolores; Pineda, Daniel; Araujo,Yulissa; Franklin, Barbara; Hernandez, Joyce Ann; Hernandez, Silvestre; Vidales,Angelica. The effects of two community‐based participatory action research programs onviolence outside and in school among adolescent and young adults in a Latino community. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021, 68(2), p370.  
      • *Moreno‐Vasquez, A., Bazan, J., Flores, B., Hoffman, B., Idar A.Z., Lopez, A., Winkler, P., Recto, P., Zapata Jr., J., Lesser, J. Developing and Implementing a Co‐Curricular IPE Program for Communities and Health Profession Students in South Texas: AHEC Scholars Program. Journal of Public Health, Published Ahead of Print, 2021, DOI:10.1111/phn.12947. 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J. Hispanic fathers during COVID-19: Balancing parenthood, finding strength, and maintaining hope. Public Health Nursing. 2021, May:38(3)367-373         
      • *Recto P, Lesser J, et al. Supporting the mental health needs of adolescent fathers during COVID-19: Opportunities for nursing practice and community-based partnerships, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Published Ahead of Print, 2020. https://doi-org.libproxy.uthscsa.edu/10.1080/01612840.2020.1850951 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J. Adolescent fathers’ perceptions and experiences of fatherhood: A qualitative exploration with Hispanic adolescent fathers. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Published Ahead of Print, 2020, https://doi-org.libproxy.uthscsa.edu/10.1016/i.ped.2020.010. 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J. Hispanic fathers during COVID-19: Balancing parenthood, finding strength, and maintaining hope. Public Health Nursing. 2021, May:38(3)367-373         
      • *Zapata J, Colistra A, Lesser J, et al. Opioid use disorder ECHO: A pilot project providing knowledge and building capacity for community health workers in a medically underserved area of South Texas. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2020, 42 (4), 381-390. 
      • *Potter ML. Edited by Flaskerud JH & Lesser, J. An exploration of perceptions of rationing of care: A pilot study. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2021, 42(8), 784-789. 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J. The parenting experiences of Hispanic adolescent fathers: A life course theory perpective. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 2020, 42(11), 918-926. 
      • *Hicks L. Edits by Flaskerud JH &Lesser J. Reflections on a Qualitative Interview Childbirth. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2020, 41(6), 552-555. 
      • *Recto P, Lesser J. “Fathers need help too”: Adolescent Fathers and Depression. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Pulished Ahead of Print, 2020, doi:10.1080/01612840.2020.1752866. 
      • *Yin Z, Lesser J, Wang, J et al. Using Mobile Tools to Engage Rural Underserved Individuals in a Diabetes Education Program in South Texas: Feasibility Study. JMIR Mhealth & Uhealth, 2020; 8(3). 
      • Monney MK. Edited by Flaskerud JH & Lesser,J. Resilience among spouses of United States service members during deployment Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2019;40(4):362-364 
      • Flaskerud, JH, Lesser, J. The current socio-political climate and psychological distress among transgender people Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2018;39(1):93-96 
      • *Oscos-Sanchez MA, Lesser J, Oscos-Flores, LD. Using Community Based Participatory Action Research to Define Positive Youth Development Program Goal Priorities with a Latino Community Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2016 Oct:1-4 
      • Lesser J, Paleo J. Teaching Nursing Students the Value of Person-Centered, Recovery-Oriented Relationships Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2016 Jan;37(C):436-439 
      • *Lesser J. Life Course perspectives can help us understand health-related disparities among marginalized Latino male youth Journal of Research in Nursing 2015 Dec;20(8):717-722 
      • *Bonugli, R, Paleo, J, Gray, J, Lesser, J. "A New Pair of Glasses"*: Creating a World Where Recovery is Possible Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2015 Nov;36(11):920-923 
      • *Lesser J, Vacca J, Pineda, D.. Promoting the Positive Development of Latino Youth in an Alternative School Setting: A Culturally Relevant Trauma-Informed Intervention Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2015;36(5):388-390 
      • *Lesser J, De la Rosa EM, Ramirez, V.. Las Mujeres Nobles Identify their Meaning of Empowerment: A Participatory Data Analysis Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2015;36(8):641-643 
      • *Anderson NLR, Lesser J, Oscos-Sanchez MA, Pineda D, Garcia G, Mancha J. Approaches to Community Nursing Research Partnerships: A Case Example Journal of Transcultural Nursing 2014 Apr;25(2):129-136 
      • *Oscos-Sanchez, MA, Lesser, J, Oscos-Flores, D. High School Students in a Health Career Promotion Program Report Fewer Acts of Aggression and Violence Journal of Adolescent Health 2013;52(1):96-101 
      • *Lesser J, Koniak-Griffin D.. Using Qualitative Inquiry and Participatory Research Approaches to Develop Prevention Research: Validating a Life Course Perspective Family and Community Health 2013;36(1):34-41 
      • *Fowler, S, Venuto, M, Ramirez, V, Martinez, E, Pollard, J, Hixon, J, Shaw, J, Lesser, J. The Power of Connection and Support in Community Engagement: Las Mujeres Nobles de Harlandale Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2013;34:294-297 
      • *Bonugli, B. Lesser, J. Escandon, S.. "The Second Thing to Hell is Living under that Bridge": Narratives of Women Living with Victimization, Serious Mental Illness, and in Homelessness Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2013;34(11):827-835 
      • *Koniak-Griffin, D. Lesser, J. Takayanagi, S Cumberland, WG. Couple-focused human immunodeficiency virus prevention for young latino parents: randomized clinical trial of efficacy and sustainability Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2011 Apr;165(4):306-312 
      • *Kelly P, Lesser J, Chang A, Oscos-Sanchez M, Martinez E, Pineda D, & Mancha J.. A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of an Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program with a Mexican-American Community Family and Community Health 2010 Sep;33(3):207-215 
      • *Bonugli RJ, Brackley, M, Williams GB, Lesser J. Sexual Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adult Women with Severe Mental Illness: A Pilot Study Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2010 Jul;31(7):456-460 

      Abstracts 

      • Zapata J, Lesser, J et al. Opiod use disorder ECHO: A pilot project prviding knowledge and building capacity for CHWs in medically underserved areas of South Texas. 2019 (IIMS Community Engagement Conference Booklet) 
      • Moreno-Vasquez A, Lesser, J et al. Development and testing of an interprofessional education and collaboration program in South Texas. 2019 (IIMS Community Engagement Conference Booklet) 
      • Zaragoza G, Arevelo-Fleches L, Flores B, Lesser J. Family Conflict: A well-kept secret in Latino dementia caregivers. 2019 
      • Oscos-Sanchez MA, Lesser J, Oscos-Flores LD. Sustaining non-violence among adolescents and young adults in a Latino community 2019. (Journal of Adolescent Health; vol. 64, no. 23). 
      • Oscos-Sanchez, M. Lesser J. Oscos-Flores, D. Pineda, D. Decreasing Violence Among High-Risk Latino Youth 2011 Feb. p. S80. (Journal of Adolescent Health; vol. 48, no. 2) 
      • Oscos-Sanchez, M. Lesser, J. Oscos-Flores, D. Pineda, D. El Joven Noble Reduces Substance Use Among High-Risk Latino Youth 2011 Feb. p. S76. (Journal of Adolescent Health; vol. 48, no. 2) 
      • Oscos-Sanchez, M. Lesser, J. Oscos-Flores, D. Pineda, D. Defining Positive Youth Development Priorities With A Latino Community 2011 Feb. p. S78-S79. (Journal of Adolescent Health; vol. 48, no. 2) 

      Invited Podium Presentations (i. e. keynotes presentations)  

      • 2023  Workshop: CHW’s to Improve Health Equity. School of Nursing Research   Retreat. San Antonio, TX. Janna Lesser, Pamela Recto, Cynthia Castillo, Ludivina     Hernandez, Martha Castilla, Eduardo Gandara.   
      • 2023 The Co-Development and Implementation of a Mental Health WorlCafé. Pamela   Recto, Janna Lesser, Anna Gray, Jose Zapata Jr., Annette Zavala Idar, Martha Castilla 2023 LINC Symposium. Virtual Presentation. 2018, Familias En Acción: Sustaining a Community Academic Partnership for 13 Years, IIMS Community Engagement Symposium: Community-Campus Partnership to Improve Equity, UTHSA IIMS, San Antonio, TX (Co-Presenter). Details: Oscos-Sanchez, Lesser et al. Invited speakers 
      • 2014, Improving the Science of Community-Based Participatory Research Using a Transformation Mixed Methods Aproach, MMIRA Inaugural Conference 2014, Boston, MA (Invited Speaker). Details: Invited Panel Presentation 
      • 2012, Community-Based Participatory Research as a Strategy for Decreasing Health Inequities and Promoting Social Justice, 2012 Western Institute of Nursing Conference, Portland, OR (Invited Speaker).Details: Western Academy of Nursing Panel 

      Peer Reviewed Podium Presentations  

      • 2014, A Randomized Controlled Evaluation of the Effects of the Familias en Acción Scholarship Program on Adolescent Violence, Substance Use, and Unsafe Driving, 2014 SAHM Annual Meeting, Austin, TX (Co-Presenter). Details: Accepted for presentation 
      • 2014, An Evaluation of the Effects of Participation in El Joven Noble on Youth Violence, 2014 SAHM Annual Meeting, Austin, TX (Co-Presenter). Details: Accepted for Presentation 
      • 2013, Building Collaborative Relationships Via Community Partnership Model Action Phases, 2012 Western Institute of Nursing Conference, Anaheim, CA (Co-Presenter). Details: Symposium Presentation 
      • 2013, The Utility of the Life Course Perspective to Inform Interventions, 2013 Western Institute of Nursing Conference, Anaheim, CA (Co-Presenter). Details: Symposium Presentation