Jennifer Vanderlaan, Ph.D., MPH, CNM
Assistant Professor
Biography
Dr. Jennifer Vanderlaan joined the UNLV School of Nursing in 2019 and serves as an Assistant Professor. She is trained as a midwife and family nurse practitioner, and previously provided continuing education for midwives in sub-Saharan Africa and Central America.
Expertise
Dr. Vanderlaan specializes in the fields of Health Services Research, Maternal Health, Health Policy, and Midwifery Workforce.
Classes Taught
Dr. Vanderlaan teaches pathophysiology and pharmacology in the Master’s program.
Education Background
Dr. Vanderlaan earned her doctoral and her master's degree in Nursing as Family Nurse Midwife from Emory University School of Nursing. She also has a master’s degree of Public Health in Global Health from Emory University School of Public Health. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York and has two bachelor of science degrees from Michigan State University in Physiology and Psychology, respectively.
Research or Scholarship
Dr. Vanderlaan researches maternal health from a health systems perspective, integrating clinical outcomes, health economics, and health policy to identify ways to improve access to quality maternal care. Her recent projects explore regionalization of maternal care, effects of childbirth education, and the use of hydrotherapy for pain management during labor and delivery.
Awards, recognitions, or group affiliations
Dr. Vanderlaan was recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses in 2015 and currently serves as the chair of the Lamaze International Research Workgroup.