Sabrina Elias

Biography

Building on her background as a former consultant for the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Sabrina Elias’s PhD research focuses on shared decision making among patients with hypertension. At PAHO/WHO her work on Latin America and the Caribbean focused on interprofessional education, nursing education, and advanced practice nursing. Based on this and other previous experiences, Sabrina came to appreciate the importance of multiethnic perspectives in health. Racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence and control persist. Understanding differences in shared decision making practices and its impact on hypertension control in multiethnic groups is essential to improving health outcomes. Therefore, Sabrina’s PhD research uses a mixed-methods approach to examine shared decision making from the perspectives of multiethnic patients with hypertension. Research results will inform the development of culturally congruent interventions to promote hypertension control and reduce racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension treatment.

Dissertation Focus

Shared decision making, racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension, and mixed-methods research.

Major Achievements

• Conway Scholar, Doctor of Philosophy, Johns Hopkins Schools of Nursing (2017 – Present)
• Masters Research Fellowship, São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (2014 – 2015)
• Research Internship Abroad Fellowship, São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (2015 – 2015)
• Member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (2009 – Present)