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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.