Madeline Fernandez

Dr. Madeline Fernandez serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing Science at East Carolina University's College of Nursing, where she conducts impactful research at the intersection of reproductive health, mental health, and health disparities. Her primary appointment is complemented by active affiliations with the Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA), National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Nursing from University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
• MSN as Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from Frontier Nursing University
• BSN from University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies

Dr. Fernandez's research program centers on three interconnected domains: psychological impacts of reproductive loss (particularly miscarriage during the pandemic), culturally responsive interventions for Hispanic populations regarding HPV/HIV prevention, and nursing education innovations. Her work consistently employs mixed-methods approaches to examine how social determinants of health, cultural factors, and systemic barriers affect women's reproductive experiences. She emphasizes community-engaged methodologies that translate research into practical clinical and public health applications.

Analysis of her 11 recent publications (2020-2025) reveals strong thematic continuity in reproductive mental health, with increasing focus on pandemic-related impacts and Hispanic health equity. Her work spans clinical psychology, public health intervention design, and nursing education, characterized by methodological diversity including qualitative analysis, cross-sectional studies, and community-based participatory research.

Her scholarly recognition includes:

• 2025 Faculty Book Author and Affordable Textbooks Award (ECU Academic Library Services)
• 2023 Beta Nu Excellence in Research Award (STTI Beta Nu Chapter)

Dr. Fernandez maintains an active grant portfolio with four current principal investigator roles and two co-investigator positions. Her ECU-funded projects focus on miscarriage bereavement training, perinatal care gaps for Latino families, and psychological distress management, while external funding includes Sigma Global Nursing Excellence and NSF support. She actively mentors through research collaborations and has developed community-facing educational resources including radio programs and culturally tailored health interventions.

Her research program operates through community partnerships rather than a formal laboratory, with emphasis on the Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network and Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Alliance for translational impact. Current projects examine silence around miscarriage and telehealth-based nursing education innovations.