Nikki Keene Woods PhD, MPH, Certified in Public Health

Dr. Nikki Keene Woods is a Professor with tenure at Wichita State University in the Department of Public Health Sciences. She has earned master degrees in Behavioral Science and Public Health in addition to a PhD in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas. She is a maternal, infant, and child health researcher and educator with an emphasis on addressing health disparities.

Social Determinants of Health

Maternal, Infant and Child Health

Health Equity

Environmental Health

Collaborative Community Health

Women's Health

Health Across the Lifespan

Health Literacy

Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health

Maternal, Infant and Child Health

Health Equity

Social Determinants of Health

Environmental Health

Epidemiology

Community-based Health

 

Health Across the Lifespan

Selected list of publications:

a. Infant Mortality and Race in Kansas: Associations with Women, Infants, and Children Services.

b. “Same Room, Safe Place:” The Need for Professional Safe Sleep Unity Grows at the Expense of Families.

c. Interpregnancy Intervals, Birth Outcomes, and Educational Needs.

d. Health Literacy and Older Adults: A Systematic Review

e. Assessment of COVID-19 Knowledge Among University Students: Implications for Future Risk Communication Strategies

 

Education                                                                                                      
2011, University of Kansas
Doctor of Philosophy in Behavioral Psychology

Dissertation: Examining the Effects of a Training and Technical Assistance Intervention on the Functioning of Eight Community Coalitions to Prevent Substance Abuse

2010, University of Kansas Medical Center
Master of Public Health

Thesis: Evaluating the Sustainability of Reported Health Behaviors Changes in Healthy Congregations II

2009, University of Kansas
Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science

Thesis: Examining the Effects of a Community Change Intervention in Two Midwestern Communities

2007, Wichita State University
Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Services Management and Community Development 

Academic Experience

1. Wichita State University, Professor with tenure, Public Health Sciences
2022- Present

1. Wichita State University, Associate Professor with tenure, Public Health Sciences
2017- 2022

2. Wichita State University, Assistant Professor (tenure-track)
2012- 2017

3. University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, Adjunct Faculty
2013- 2015

4. University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, Research staff (non-tenure track)
2010- 2012

 

Current grants:

a. Examining the Feasibility of a Wearable Device for Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring funded by the National Institutes of Health, $436,017, 2022- 2025 (Prinicipal Investigator).

b. Improving Healthcare Language Access for Spanish Speakers in Kansas funded by Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health/Office of Minority Health, $375,000, 2022-2025 (Co-Investigator).

Completed grants:

a. COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Guatemalan Indigenous Communities in Kansas funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $250,000, 2022-2023 (Co-Investigator).

b. Women Involved Network (WIN for Kansas): Community Collaboration to Create Health Equity 

c. Engaging Language Professionals for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research with Latino Communities

National

American Public Health Association Women’s Caucus, Membership Committee, Co-Chair (2018-2019)

Association of Teachers of Maternal Child Health, Membership and Engagement Committee, Member (2017-2021)

State

Kansas Public Health Association, Annual Conference Awards Chair (2018-2022)

Local

Sedgwick County Community Health Assessment Advisory Council, Member.

Women's Health Network of Kansas, Advisory Board Member. 

Junior League of Wichita, Board Member.