Julia Snethen

Dr. Julia Snethen is a Professor and PhD Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. Her work integrates maternal-infant health, childhood obesity prevention, and family-centered health promotion, with a focus on Latino communities. She actively collaborates with the American Academy of Nursing Child, Adolescent and Family Expert Panel to address pandemic and racism effects on childhood obesity.

• PhD in Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• MSN in Maternal-Child Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston
• BS in Nursing, Graceland College
• BS in Arts & Science, University of Missouri-Columbia

Her research centers on childhood obesity prevention, family decision-making patterns, and obesity stigma, particularly in Latino and Thai populations. She has developed culturally appropriate interventions for Latinx elementary students and explored transgenerational stress impacts on child health.

Dr. Snethen's scientific contributions include over 15 NIH-funded and institutional grants for family health programs, faith-based wellness initiatives, and obesity prevention. She leads the Health and Wellness CBPR Program for Latino Youth and has published extensively on cross-cultural health perceptions.

• Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2017)
• Daisy Foundation Faculty Excellence in Education Award (2017)
• Society of Pediatric Nurses National Excellence in Education Award (2010)
• Multiple Midwest Nursing Research Society awards
• STTI Leadership Academy recognition

As advisor to numerous PhD students, she has mentored research on Thai parental health perceptions, Latino immigrant health, and student nurse wellness. Her work bridges clinical practice, policy development, and community-based research.