Monique Stephanie Balthazar

Dr. Monique Stephanie Balthazar is an Assistant Professor at the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on sleep health, brain health, and social determinants of health, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations, including racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities. She integrates multidisciplinary approaches to address health disparities and improve healthcare equity.

Her work spans clinical and translational nursing science, including studies on transgender and gender diverse populations, HIV/AIDS, violence, and mental health. Notable projects include analyzing stigma in psychiatric care, risks of intimate partner violence among gender minorities, and cost-effectiveness of palliative care interventions. She contributes to policy initiatives aimed at reducing health inequities and has published extensively in journals like International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Violence Against Women.

Dr. Balthazar’s research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals targeting health equity and well-being. She collaborates internationally and leads initiatives such as the Living Well Project and studies within the LITE Cohort. Her efforts emphasize community-based approaches to foster inclusive healthcare systems.