Benissa E. Salem

Benissa E. Salem, PhD, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL is an Associate Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Nursing. Her research focuses on reducing health disparities among people experiencing homelessness and underserved communities, employing mixed-methods and community-based participatory research (CBPR). She has expertise in trauma-informed care, frailty, and intervention development. Dr. Salem holds a PhD in Nursing from UCLA and completed a T32 health disparities fellowship at the National Institute of Nursing Research.

Education:

• Trauma-Informed Clinical Foundation Certificate, University at Buffalo School of Social Work
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Disparities & Vulnerable Populations, UCLA
• PhD in Nursing Science, UCLA
• MSN in Nursing, UCLA
• Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (minor: News, Media, & Society), University of Southern California

Research Interests:

• Homelessness and health disparities
• Frailty in vulnerable populations
• Trauma-informed care frameworks
• Intervention design for marginalized communities

Publications: Her recent work addresses HCV care, mental health during the pandemic, and tuberculosis medication adherence among homeless populations. Key themes include community engagement, policy implications, and translational nursing interventions.

Awards:

• 2022 Faculty DAISY Award
• 2020 Mark Askins Leadership Award
• 2013 UCLA School of Nursing Emerging Leader Award

Professional Activities: Leadership roles in Sigma Theta Tau International, Gerontology Society of America, and American Public Health Association. Active in policy advocacy and nursing education.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with UCLA’s Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) and community organizations addressing homelessness.