Ann-Margaret Navarra, an associate professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing, has been chosen for a national fellowship aimed at addressing health inequities in the United States. She is one of the initial 10 "innovators" selected by the Institute for Policy Solutions (IPS) at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing for the Nursing Science Incubator for the Social Determinants of Health Solutions (N-SISS) Fellowship.
The N-SISS Fellowship will bring together nurse scientists and other professionals from related fields across the country to examine social determinants of health (SDOH). Navarra was chosen due to her qualifications, innovative research focus, and dedication to eliminating healthcare inequities through SDOH.
Navarra joined Stony Brook Nursing in January 2024 and serves as the associate dean for nursing research and innovation. Her research primarily focuses on HIV/AIDS, pediatrics, chronic disease, and underserved populations. In the 1990s, she was among the first advanced practice pediatric nurses leading care initiatives for youth with HIV/AIDS. This work significantly contributed to advancements in HIV behavioral sciences and health equity.
The N-SISS Fellowship will run for three years and eventually include over 30 innovators selected by Johns Hopkins. It aims to be an active incubator assessing SDOH nationwide. The program will feature virtual and on-campus courses, guided self-study, applied research training, individualized mentoring, team mentoring, and development of SDOH-focused grant proposals for National Institutes of Health agencies.
Navarra and her fellow participants will begin a two-week intensive training program in Washington, DC on February 3.