Bertha E. Flores, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC
Associate Professor/Research
Dr. Flores is a Hispanic, bilingual/bi-cultural Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA), School of Nursing (SON). She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. As a practicing Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner, she has acquired a unique perspective of the needs of women. She earned a PhD in Nursing, Women’s and Gender studies and Geriatric portfolios from the University of Texas at Austin. She received the Outstanding Graduate Award from UT Austin, School of Nursing. In 2018, she obtained a graduate Certificate in Cancer Prevention, from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her nursing career expands from clinical nursing at the bedside and outpatient care of women, to academic and faculty roles. Dr. Flores is Director of the Certificate in Translational Science Program and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Faculty member. She has mentored students in clinical and didactic undergraduate and graduate nursing programs as well as international, high school, translational science, and medical students. Her leadership in education lead to the development and introduction of veteran simulation content in the maternal-child undergraduate nursing curriculum. Her passion and commitment in the field of health disparities has identified the importance of cultural literacy, the use of code-switching in health communication. She has received numerous awards including the John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) and the KL2 Scholar award supported through a Clinical and Translational Science (CTSA) award. Her experiences have highlighted the importance in how education is fundamental in bridging health disparities among vulnerable polulations.
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Professional Background
Education
- 2018 - Certificate - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- 2018 - Postdoctoral Training - Clinical and Translational Science - The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
- 2013 - Postdoctoral Training - Health Disparities (UNTHSC STAR Fellow) - University of North Texas Health Science Center
- 2012 - Doctor in Philosophy - Nursing-Women's Health Geriatric Portfolio - The University of Texas at Austin
- 1994 - Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health - The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
- 1987 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing - The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
- 1982 - Certificate - Nursing - San Jacinto Community College District
Highlights
Licensure and Certifications
- Women‘s Health Care Nurse Practitioner NCC-National Certification Corporation
- Advanced Practice Nurse - Texas Board of Nursing
- Registered Nurse
Honors and Award
- 2022, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (ELAN) fellowship to prepare for administrative and leadership positions in nursing
- 2019, PURSUE Award
- 2018, PURSUE Award
Appointments
- 2022 - Present - Associate Professor with Tenure - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021 - 2023 - Director, Certificate in Translational Science, Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Program - UT Heatlth San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 2021- Present - Affiliate, South Texas Veterans Healthcare System/ Audie L. Murphy Div- Geriatric Research - Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
- 2020 / Present - Graduate Faculty - Department of Translational Science Program, UT Health San Antonio
- 2019 / Present - Assistant Professor - Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Program, UT Health San Antonio
- 2016 / Present - Assistant Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2014 - Present - Graduate Faculty - UT Health San Antonio, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
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Instruction & Training
- 2022, NURS 6320: DNP Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 6454: FNP Diagnosis and Management: Concepts and Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 7305: DNP Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020 - Present, NURS 6451 FNP Diagnosis & Management: Young Families, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020 - Present, TSCI 6001-GS-A Introduction to Translational Science, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2019 - Present , NURS 7099 Dissertation, Dissertation Chair, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2017 - Present, NURS 6250 Advanced Health Promotion, Health Protection, & Disease Prevention, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2017 - Present, NURS 6210 Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020, NURS 6130 Nurse Practitioner Conceptual Basis, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020, NURS 6451 FNP Diagnosis & Management: Young Families, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020, NURS 4533 Disease Management III: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2019, TSCI 6001-GS-A: Introduction to Translational Science, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2016 - 2019, NURS 6130 Nurse Practitioner Conceptual Basis, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2016, NURS 6621 FNP Diagnosis Management: Young Families, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
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Research & Grants
Grants
Currently Funded:
- 2023-2027, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas, $2,500,000.00 Title: Screen, Treat, or Prevent (STOP)-HCC-HCV: Expansion to all Adults. This is a multi-component intervention aimed at expanding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) screening and navigation to care from baby-boomers to all adults. Role: Co-PD, Site PI
- 2022 – 2025, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (PP220036) Title: Increasing the use of HPV vaccination among medically underserved young adults Role: Co-PD/Site PI
- 2021 – 2023, Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI) Dollars: $199,959. P30CA054174. Title: Addressing liver cancer health disparities among the South Texas population residing in three persistent poverty counties using the STOP-HCC-HCV program as a framework. Role: Program Director
- 2021 - 2024, Funder: Office of Minority Health. Title: Family-Centered Approaches to Improving Type 2 Diabetes Control and Prevention Parra-Medina (PI). Role: Site PI/Evaluator
- 2021 – 2024, Funder: American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant. Dollars: $360,000. Title: Institutional Research Grant (IRG). Role: Review Committee Member
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: UT Health San Antonio, Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics $3,897.00. Title: Facilitators to COVID-19 Vaccination: Lessons Learned to Inform Health Marketing Campaign for Underserved Communities. Role: Co-Mentor
- 2021 - 2021, Funder: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health Veterans Administration. Title: GRECC Connect. Role: Sub-investigator
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (PP180091), $2,592,731.00. Title: STOP-HCC Expansion Grant. Role: Site PI
Pending Submissions:
- 2022, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (PP220036). Title: Increasing the use of HPV vaccination among medically underserved young adults. Role: Site PI
Completed Research/Projects:
- 2017 - 2020, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (PP180063), $294,804.00. Title: STOP HCC-HCV Prevention Program Dissemination Project. Role: Co-Investigator
- 2017 - 2020, Funder: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (PP180063), $294,804.00. Title: STOP HCC-HCV Prevention Program Dissemination Project. Role: Co-Investigator
- 2017 - 2019, Funder: ReACH Pilot, $10,000.00. Title: The Microbiome as Potential Mediator of Diabetes Health Disparities. Role: Co-Investigator
- 2018 - 2019, Funder: Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (PP160042), $1,295,493.00. Title: Using Best Practices to Promote HPV Vaccination in Rural Primary Care Settings. Role: Co-Investigator
- 2015 - 2018, Funder: ReACH Pilot, $10,000. Title: Hispanic Grandparents as Primary Caregivers of their Grandchildren in the Context of Prenatal Substance Abuse. Role: Principal Investigator
- 2016 - 2018, Funder: Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science (IIMS), Mentored Research Career Development KL2 (KL2 TR 001118), $223,000.00. Title: Nuestra Pareja (Our Partner): Together Against Cervical Cancer. Role: KL2 Scholar
- 2015 – 2017, Funder: The University of North Texas Health Science Center, $14,700.00. Title: STAR Fellowship Pilot Program. Role: Principal Investigator
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Service
Institutional
- 06/2022 – Present, UT Health San Antonio, SON Faculty Assembly- Chair
- 07/2021- 06/2023, UT Health San Antonio, MSCI-TS Director, Certificate in Translational Science Program
- 07/2021- Present, UT Health San Antonio, SON Grade Appeal Committee, Member
- 2021,UT Health San Antonio Volcker Biomedical Research Academy Scholar, Speaker
- 2021- 2022, UT Health San Antonio, SON Faculty Assembly-Chair Elect
- 2020 - Present, UT Health San Antonio, MSCI, TS Admissions Committee, Member
- 2020 - 2021 UT Health San Antonio, SON COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Clinic
- 2020 - Present UT Health San Antonio UT Collaboration for Population Health Innovation and Improvement (CoPHII), Nominee, Member
- 2020 - 2021 UT Health San Antonio, SON PhD working Group, Member
- 2020 - 2021 UT Health San Antonio, SON Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS), Chair-Elect
- 2020 - 2021 UT Health San Antonio, SON Committee on Scholarship (COS), Member
- 2019 - Present UT Health San Antonio, MSCI-TS Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS), Member
- 2018 - Present UT Health San Antonio, SON FNP Faculty Committee, Member
Service to the Profession
- 2019 - Present, Journal Reviewer Journal of Transcultural Nursing
- 2019 - Present, Editorial Board Member University of Health Sciences, Journal of Nursing
- 2015 - Present, Reviewer Clinical Nursing Research
Professional Affiliations
- 2018 - Present, Western Institute of Nursing, Member
- 2014 - Present, National League for Nursing, Member
Community
- 2020 - 2021, Nurse Practitioner COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Clinic
- 2020 - 2020, Nurse Practitioner Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC)
- 2020 - 2020, Hepatitis C Education Information Invited speaker
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Publications
- Arevalo-Flechas, L., Flores, B.E., Wang, H., Liang, H., Li, Y., Gelfond, J., Espinoza, S., Lewis, S. L., Musi, N. & Yeh, C. Stress-busting program for family caregivers: Validation of the Spanish version using biomarkers and quality-of-life measures, Research in Nursing & Health, 2022 Apr; 45(2): 205-217
- Morales-Campos, D., Flores, B. E., Donovan, E., Burdick, S., Parra-Medina, D. & Kahn J. A. A Qualitative descriptive study of providers’ perspectives on human papillomavirus vaccine administration among Latino/a adolescents in South Texas clinics: barriers and facilitators, BMC Public Health 2022 22:443
- Su, Z., Wang, J., Li, X., Fernandez, A. A. McDonnell., Flores, B.E. Understanding Technology-based interventions for Caregivers of Cancer patients: A Concept Analysis, JMIR, 2021 Nov 16;7(4) PMID 34783664
- Kitten, A. K., Laurajo, R., Lee, G. C. Flores, B.E. & Reveles, K. R. Gut microbiome differences among Mexican Americans with and without diabetes mellitus, PLOS ONE, 2021 May 13;16(5) PMID 33983982
- Stevens, K. R., de la Rosa, E., Ferrer, R. L., Finley, E., Flores, B.E., Forgione, D. et al., Bootstrapping implementation research training: A successful approach for academic centers, Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, July 2021, 5 (1) PMID 34733544
- Flores, B. E., Riley-Baker, J., Flores, R.A. & Young-McCaughan, S. Integrating Veteran healthcare into Nursing Curricula: In the Student’s words. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, October 2021, 59, 32-39
- Su, Z., McDonnell, D., Liang, B., Kue, J., Segalo, S., Advani, S., Flores, B.E. & Wand J. Technology-based health solutions for cancer caregivers to better shoulder the impact of COVID-19: A systematic review protocol, Systematic Reviews, Feb 2021; 10(1):43 PMID 33526095.
- Flores P, Fernandez, A.A., Wang CP, Bobadilla, R, Hernandez, L., Jain, M.K., Turner, B.J.. Educating Primary Care Providers and Associate Care Providers about Hepatitis C Screening of Baby Boomers: a Multi-practice Study Journal of Cancer Education 2020 Jun
- Riley-Baker, Jacqueline, Flores P, Young-McCaughan S. Outcomes Educating Nursing Students Using an Evolving Simulated Case Scenario Clinical Simulation in Nursing 2020 Feb;39:7-17.
- Flores, B.E., Acton, G., Arevalo-Flechas, L., Gill, S. & Mackert, M.. Health literacy and cervical cancer screening among Mexican-American women Health Literacy Research and Practice (HLRP) 2019 Jan;3(1):e1-e8.
- Flores, B.E. Readiness for Enhanced Health Literacy. In: Herdman,H. & Kamistsuru, S. [Eds]. NANDA International Nursing Diagnosis 2018-2020: eleventh Edition. New York, NY: Thieme; 2018.
- Flores, B. E., Wang, J., Bobadilla, R., Guerrero, J., Rochat, A., Winkler, P., Irwin, D., DeLa Paz, R., Imperial, J., Mamta, K. & Turner, B. Screen, Treat, or Prevent hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatitis C Virus (STOP-HCC-HCV) program in South Texas, in Principles of Community Engagement, Chapter 3Nov. 2021 (accepted).
- Flores, B.E. Arevalo-Flechas, L., Martinez, M., Tobar, M., Goros., W., Gelfond, J., Patel, D. & Parra-Medina, D. “Nuestra Pareja” [Our Partner]: Together Against Cervical Cancer: Interim Results, 2020, in (Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos, Springer Open).
- Romero, R. L., Crocker, L.C., Flores, B.E., Villarreal, E. K., Parra-Medina, D. & Morales-Campos, D., Increasing Provider’s Recommendations for HPV Vaccination Using Academic Detailing in South Texas, 2020 in (Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos, Springer Open).
- Flores P, Arevalo-Flechas, L, Martinez, Martha. Parenting all over again: Hispanic "Abuelitas" raising grandchildren in the context of substance abuse disorders 2019 Nov. (Innovation in Aging).
- Zaragoza, G., Arevalo-Flechas, L, Flores P, Lesser P. Family Conflict: A Well Kept Secret in Latino Dementia Caregiving 2019 Nov. (Innovation in Aging; vol. 3, no. S1).
- Flores P, Martinez M, Arevalo-Flechas, L., Tobar, M., Parra-Medina, D.. "A clash of cultures:" Cervical cancer screening and Hispanic males Cambridge University Press; 2017 Feb. (Journal of Clinical and Translational Science; vol. 1, no. S1).
- 06/2023, STOP HCC-HCV: A Community-based approach to Integrate HCV Screening and Treatment in Rural Primary Care. Leaving no none Behind: Interventions that Address Systems and Structures to Reduce Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Disparities. A Virtual Symposium. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMDH), National Institute of Health (NIH) (Invited Speaker)
- 06/2022, Cancer Health Disparities among Hispanics in South Texas. Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy. UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2022, Addressing liver cancer health disparities among the South Texas Hispanic population residing in three persistent poverty counties using the STO-HCC-HCV program. NCI Rural Supplement Steering Committee meeting (Invited Speaker)
- 2022, STOP-HCC-HCV: Expansion in South Texas (2018-2022). Population Science and Prevention Program meeting, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2021, Coming together to transform rural health telementoring: Panel discussion with leaders in rural health. Rural Telementoring Training Center, Resource, Information, Support & Education-RISE for Rural Telementoring, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2020, Cancer Health Disparities among Hispanics in South Texas, Bench to Bedside Seminar, South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX ( Invited Speaker)
- 2020, Cancer Prevention in South Texas, BEAT Academy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2020, Multicomponent prevention of cervical and liver cancer in South Texas, Population Science and Prevention Program, Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2020, Hepatitis C Education Information, community forum in Kerr County (Invited Speaker)
- 2019, Students in Research: Cervical Cancer Prevention Practices among Hispanics, Building Scholars, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX (Keynote Speaker) Details: workshop feedback: “largest gathering for all workshops held in the last five years”
- 2019, Redesigning a South Texas Federally Qualified Health Center to Address the Hepatitis C Epidemic, 2019 Community Health Institute (CHI) & EXPO, Chicago, IL (Co-Author)
- 2019, A tale of two countries: Bicultural/bilingual research, SUNRISE mentoring program, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2019, STOP HCC-HCV: Hepatitis C from threat to cure, Throughout South Texas, South Texas providers, Clinics, South Texas, TX (Invited Speaker) Details: Designed for providers in South Texas
- 2018, STOP_HCV-HCC: Hepatitis C from threat to cure, San Antonio Nurses in Advanced Practice, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)
- 2022, Sociodemographic Predictors of Perceptions on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate among Vaccinated Individuals in Bexar County, Texas. 24th International Union for Health Promotion and Education World Conference on Health Promotion, Montreal, Canada. (Poster presentation, Co-Author).
- 2021, Factors Associated with Endorsements for Prevention Measures after COVID-19 Vaccination. Poster accepted for presentation at the 24th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (Co-Author)
- 2021, Using the National League of Nursing Jenny Brown Advancing Care Excellence for Veterans Simulation Scenario to Teach Women Veteran’s Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Partnerships in Veteran & Military Conference: Inspiring a Community of Care and Connection, University of Colorado, 2020 (accepted First-Author, Podium Presentation)
- 2020, Leveraging Technology to Build workforce capacity in rural and underserved populations in South Texas, National AHEC Organization 2020, Salt Lake City, UT (Co-Author)
- 2020, Intersection of two epidemics among young people in the U.S: Opioids and hepatitis C virus, Southern Nursing Research Society, New Orleans, LA (First-Author, Sole Presenter) Details: Best in School Poster Session
- 2020, Evaluation of a provider-directed HCV education intervention, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos, Cancer Epidemiology & Prevention, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (First-Author, Sole Presenter)
- 2019, Using Academic Detailing to improve HPV vaccine uptake among South Texas adolescents, American Public Health Association, Cancer Caucus, Philadelphia, PA (Co-Author)
- 2019, Cervical Cancer Screening Practices among Hispanic Women in South Texas: The Role of Positive Machismo, IIMS 10 years: Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day; A decade of Progress, Student, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Co-Author)
- 2019, HCV and the Opioid Epidemic, STOP HCC-HCV Leadership Board Meeting, UT Health San Antonio, ReACH, San Antonio, TX (First-Author, Panel)
- 2018, HPV/Cervical Cancer Health Disparities among Hispanic Populations, Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy Scholars, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (First-Author, Sole Presenter)
- 2018, The impact of health literacy, self-efficacy, acculturation and education on cervical cancer screening practices among Hispanic women in South Texas, 9th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day, IIMS, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (First-Author, Sole Presenter)
- 2018, The impact of health literacy, self-efficacy, acculturation and education on cervical cancer screening practices among Hispanic women in South Texas., Translational Science 2018, Health Equity/Community Engagement, Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), Washington, DC, DC (First-Author; Sole Presenter)
- 2018, Intergenerational cervical cancer education among Hispanics, Transforming Health through Advances in Nursing Research, Practice, and Education, Latino Health, Western Institute of Nursing (WIN), Spokane, WA (First-Author, Sole Presenter)
- 2017, Using academic detailing to improve human papillomavirus vaccination rates in South Texas, Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference, Prevention, Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas, Austin, TX (Co-Author)
- 2017, Ethnicity and Socioeconomic status as players in community-dwelling older adults' falls, The 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Minority and Diverse Populations, IAGG, San Francisco, CA (Co-Author)
- 2017, Caregiving for Grandchildren and Dementia Caregiving: Not that Different among Hispanics, The 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Minority and Diverse Populations, IAGG, San Francisco, CA (Co-Author)
- 2022, Collective Good and Individual Choice: Perceptions on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate among Vaccinated Individuals in South Texas. [Poster presentation]. Live Poster Session for15th Annual Community Service Learning Conference, San Antonio, Texas. (Co-Author)
- 2022, Employing community health workers to educate primary care clinics on the use of a bilingual (English/Spanish) Hepatitis C virus mobile app in South Texas, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022, San Antonio, TX (First-Author)
- 2019, Family Conflict: A well Kept Secret in Latino Dementia Caregiving, GSA 2019: Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX (Co-Author)
- 2019, Parenting All Over Again: Hispanic "Abuelitas" Raising Grandchildren in the Context of Substance Abuse Disorders, GSA 2019: Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX (Co-Presenter)
- 2018, The impact of health literacy, self-efficacy, acculturation and education on cervical cancer screening practices among Hispanic women in South Texas, 9th Annual Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day, IIMS, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (First-Author; Sole Presenter)
- 2018, The impact of health literacy, self-efficacy, acculturation and education on cervical cancer screening practices among Hispanic women in South Texas., Translational Science 2018, Health Equity/Community Engagement, Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), Washington, DC, DC (First-Author; Sole Presenter)
- 2018, Intergenerational cervical cancer education among Hispanics, Transforming Health through Advances in Nursing Research, Practice, and Education, Latino Health, Western Institute of Nursing (WIN), Spokane, WA (First-Author, Sole Presenter)
- 2017, Using academic detailing to improve human papillomavirus vaccination rates in South Texas, Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference, Prevention, Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas, Austin, TX (Co-Author)
- 2017, Ethnicity and Socioeconomic status as players in community-dwelling older adults' falls, The 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Minority and Diverse Populations, IAGG, San Francisco, CA (Co-Author)
- 2017, Caregiving for Grandchildren and Dementia Caregiving: Not that Different among Hispanics, The 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Minority and Diverse Populations, IAGG, San Francisco, CA (Co-Author)
Peer-reviewed Articles (*indicates data-based)
Peer-Reviewed Articles submitted
Abstracts-peer reviewed
Invited Podium Presentations (i. e. keynotes presentations)
Peer Reviewed Podium Presentations
Peer-Reviewed Poster Presentations