PhD Candidate

Melissa Lehan Mackin, PhD(c), RN
melissa-lehan@uiowa.edu

Education:
MSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing

BSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing, Biology minor

Advisors: 

M. Kathleen Clark, PhD, RN, ARNP, FNP

Lioness Ayres, PhD, RN

Janette Taylor, PhD, RN

Cognate Area: 

I created my own cognate area, "social policy."  Under this I took courses in women studies, sociology, and health policy.

Research Focus:

My area of interest is women's health, specifically, in how health disparities or barriers to seeking healthcare are created and maintained by surrounding social forces.  I want to know how the opinions of peers, parents, co-workers, and community leaders, in addition to religion, local, state and federal policy, either directly or indirectly influences women's health.  My ongoing dissertation project is a mixed methods study structured within ecosocial theory, examining elements of the social context that impact knowledge and use of emergency contraception.  My future direction is to continue to examine other areas of health impacts for women to uncover signs of injustice and inequality.  I would like the knowledge gained to influence social policy that may produce more equitable health services and enhance the wellness of women.

Publications and Presentations:

Taylor, J., Lehan Mackin, M., & Oldenburg, A. (2008). Engaging Racial Autoethnography asTeaching Tool for Womanist Inquiry. (In Press). University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Lehan Mackin, M., Clark, M., & Hemphill, S. (2008). Project Pharmacy: Women’s Access to Emergency Contraception in Iowa Pharmacies. Poster session presented at 9th Annual Interdisciplinary Health Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.

Lehan Mackin, M., Clark, M., & Hemphill, S. (2008). Project Pharmacy: Women’s Access to Emergency Contraception in Iowa Pharmacies. Paper presentation at Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Meeting, Iowa City, IA.

Lehan Mackin, M., Clark, M., & Hemphill, S. (2008). Project Pharmacy: Women’s Access to Emergency Contraception in Iowa Pharmacies. Paper presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Lehan Mackin, M., Clark, M., & Hemphill, S. (2008). Project Pharmacy: Women’s Access to Emergency Contraception in Iowa Pharmacies. Paper presentation at Meeting of the Project Pharmacy Coalition, Des Moines, IA.

Bergen, K., McNichol, P., & Lehan Mackin, M. (2008). Barriers to Recruitment in End of Life Research. Poster session presented at 9th Annual Interdisciplinary Health Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.

Bergen, K., McNichol, P., & Lehan Mackin, M. (2008). Barriers to Recruitment in End of Life Research. Poster session presented at Midwest Nursing Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Bergen, K., McNichol, P., & Lehan Mackin, M. (2007). Barriers to Recruitment in End of Life Research. Poster session presented at Evidence-based Nursing Research Conference. Coralville, Iowa.

Lehan Mackin, M., Keiffer, D., Bezoni, B. & Baumler, S. (2004, April). Creative Caring. Poster session presented at the Oncology Nursing Society, Anaheim, CA.

Funding Sources and Collegiate Honors:

I have received a T-32 fellowship, currently have a F31 funded research grant, received the 2008 Public Policy Center Award, and been doctoral student of the month two times.

Current Faculty/Research Affiliations:

I am a research assistant for Keela Herr under her NCI funded study Cancer Pain in Elders: Promoting Evidence Based Practices in Hospices.  The study is examining current pain management practices by hospice staff for persons over the age of 55 and enrolled in hospice care in their home.

I am collaborating with Lioness Ayres on a project that has come out of her NINR funded study: Persons with Impaired Mobility: Transitions to Adulthood. We are currently looking at how select persons with CP embody “ableism”.