Cecily L. Betz

Cecily L. Betz, PhD, RN, FAAN is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and holds dual roles as Nursing Director and Research Director of the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her expertise centers on health care transition planning for youth with special health care needs, spina bifida, and pediatric nursing education. She co-edited seminal texts in transition planning and founded two influential journals: Health Care Transitions and the Journal of Pediatric Nursing.

• Affiliations: USC Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics; USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
• Research Focus: Transition of care for adolescents with chronic conditions, self-management, and nursing leadership.

Her research emphasizes barriers to mental health transitions, psychosocial outcomes of adults with spina bifida, and caregiver perspectives. She has over 200 publications and 10 textbooks, with a focus on pediatric nursing standards and transition service models. Awards include the 2008 Margaret S. Miles Service Award and 2018 Barbara A. Larson Humanitarian Award for contributions to pediatric nursing.

Dr. Betz leads the Movin’ On Up Health Care Transition Program, an interdisciplinary initiative, and advocates for nursing’s role in transition care. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and policy to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities.