Faculty Experts 

Dr. Benes' research strives to enhance the biopsychosocial approach to healthcare for two vulnerable populations: those with complex chronic pain and individuals dealing with houselessness.

Dr. Brown's research focuses on using GIS spatial data analysis and mapping approaches to examine structural factors and multi-level interventions for rural mental health, especially suicide. Her research is focused on the population level, including the broader social, economic, environmental, and political drivers of health.

Dr. Hammersla’s research interest focus on the improving quality of life for elderly individuals living in rural areas through innovative health care delivery.

Dr. Hanson's research is centered on maternal and perinatal mental health, focusing on postpartum depression and perinatal substance use. 

 

Dr. Hellem’s research interests focus on the utilization of complementary health techniques to improve mood. She specifically focuses on the use of modalities that include both a mind and body component to offer holistic and comprehensive treatment options.

Dr. Hill is a public health clinician and researcher who investigates ecological determinants of human environmental exposures.

Dr. Hogan's research interests encompass a multifaceted approach, which involves investigating nursing education, interprofessional collaboration, and preventative healthcare factors affecting the well-being of rural and underserved populations in Montana.

Dr. Hoover's research focuses on the intersection of adolescents and young adults living beyond a cancer diagnosis and the promotion of health behaviors to enhance overall health outcomes. By investigating effective strategies for increasing health behavior participation, she aims to empower this population to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Johnson explores the use of wearable technologies for patient safety in clinical trials, expanding the research nurse role in clinical trials, and methods of creating awareness of clinical trial patients when seeking care in their communities through provider partnerships. 

Dr. Larsson is interested in community-based risk communication research with vulnerable groups. Dr. Larsson utilizes techniques such as digital signage technology and motivational interviewing in novel settings to expand the reach of traditional public health communication approaches to settings with limited access.

Dr. Luparell writes and speaks about how to cultivate civility in nursing education and nursing practice settings.  As an outgrowth of this work, she also is also working with others to develop the concept of professional identity formation in nursing. 

Dr. Benjamin Miller focuses on quality of care in rural communities through educational preparation, transition to practice, and provision of care in low-resource communities.

Dr. Carrie Miller’s research interests focus on simulation-based pedagogy in preparing healthcare students for safe clinical practice and its impact on clinical outcomes.  

Dr. Moyce’s research interest focus on the health of the Latino immigrant population, centered mostly around occupational health. She also works with the local Spanish-speaking community to improve their access to health services in Gallatin County.

Dr. Ruff’s scholarly identity is centered on issues of nursing education, the nursing care of children and their families, transcultural nursing, vulnerable populations, trauma informed care in the pediatric population and children with special health care needs.

Dr. Running’s research centers on exploring the efficacy of integrative therapies to address stress responses across the lifespan.

Dr. Secor's research centers around using mixed methods approaches to understanding how social context impacts adolescent health, especially adolescent sexual health and access to adolescent friendly services.

Dr. Stellflug’s program of research focuses on education and training of rural healthcare providers.

Dr. Ruth Tretter is an Assistant Professor located on the Missoula Campus.