Bridgette M. Rice PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and the Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations, in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University.
Dr. Rice is the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and the Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations, in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University. Prior to this, she was an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Dr. Rice is highly sought after for her expertise in health equity promotion in marginalized communities, as well as insights from her multi-decade career working with cross-sectorial partners to effect change.
Community engagement is the cornerstone of Dr. Rice’s extensive program of research—which is done in partnership with affected populations. Her methodological advances have been applied to address multiple health inequities (e.g., HIV/STI prevention, youth mental health service utilization, cardiovascular disease risk among young Black men, gun violence). She uses novel approaches including mixed methods research and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. Cognizant of the role of geography in health, her spatially-based research explicates and intervenes in factors such as neighborhood disadvantage to prevent disease and promote health equity. Intent to share this knowledge with others to achieve the greatest impact, her extensive dissemination efforts are reflected in more than 80 publications (including articles, books and book chapters) and over 100 presentations (including commencement and keynote addresses).
Dr. Rice is a visionary leader who is committed to using her expertise to support others and advance global health. She has a track record of success through numerous international and national organizations. She is a mentor in the Partners in Health Global Nurse Executive Fellowship Program. She is the Founder & Director of the Research for Equity and Justice Collective (REJC), an international collaborative of transdisciplinary faculty, staff, students and community members who address multi-level factors that influence health. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the National Advisory Committee for the American Nurses Association (ANA)/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program. She was one of the inaugural Commissioners for the American Nurses Association National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. She is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Bridgette Executive Consulting, LLC where she works with individuals and organizations to promote the engagement and retention of racial and ethnic minoritized groups in health-related fields.
Throughout her life, Dr. Rice has remained a staunch justice advocate who believes that research can be leveraged as an advocacy tool to ensure all individuals have an opportunity to achieve their full health potential. Her work has been featured through multiple media outlets, and she has received numerous honors and awards, including the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research Protégée Award in 2015, the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses Diversity and Equity Award in 2020 and induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2022.
Dr. Rice holds degrees from Villanova University (BSN ‘03), the University of Pennsylvania (MSN ‘05, PhD ‘09) and Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University (MDiv ‘17).
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