Jennifer Dean Durning

Jennifer Dean Durning, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She joined the faculty in 2020 after serving as a term lecturer. Her expertise lies in pediatric primary care, child/adolescent development, and healthcare for immigrant families and under-resourced communities. Dr. Durning’s research focuses on optimizing health outcomes for children in immigrant families, particularly Dominican American adolescents, informed by her 23 years of clinical experience.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), French and Anthropology, University of Notre Dame
• Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
• PhD in Nursing Education, Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (2024)

Research Interests: Dr. Durning’s work emphasizes improving preventive healthcare access for adolescents in immigrant families, mental health of healthcare workers during crises, and post-operative care for infants with congenital heart defects. She uses integrative reviews and observational studies to address disparities in pediatric care.

Key Contributions: Her articles explore pandemic impacts on healthcare workers, preventive care barriers for immigrant youth, and post-surgical feeding challenges. She actively presents at conferences like the Eastern Nursing Research Society.

Awards:

• 2018: Partners in Excellence Award (Partners Healthcare) for community service post-Columbia Gas tragedies
• 1998: Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Professional Engagement: Dr. Durning mentors pediatric nurse practitioner students, advocating for family-centered care. Though no grants are explicitly detailed here, her work aligns with community health outreach and clinical education initiatives.