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Faculty
Faculty

Priscilla Onuabuchi Okunji, Ph.D., MS/Informatics, CRNP, FNP-BC, FIMC

Full Professor w/Tenure; Chair- College APT; Chair- DON Research Cmte; Lead Investigator: Academic EHR Data Computing Tool

priscilla.okunji@Howard.edu

Department/Office

  • Nursing

School/College

  • College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences

Biography

Dr. Okunji is a Tenured Full Professor and Family Nurse Practitioner at Howard, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. She obtained her BS and MS degrees in nursing and informatics, with nursing leadership minor respectively from the University of Maryland and earned her PhD in Health Sciences with a concentration in International Health Education and Research at the Trident International University, Cypress, California. Dr. Okunji has worked on multiple NIH grants that were funded through the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (IS22 MD00241-21, A. Wutoh, PI) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (5R24DA02 1470-04, S. Phillips, PI), as well as two Howard Advanced Faculty Seed grants (Okunji, PI) and two DC.gov grants (Okunji, PI). Dr. Okunji is the Howard Co-PI of the ongoing NIH-funded AIM-AHEAD Contract (OTA-21-017-1OT2OD032581-01, Okunji, Co-PI). She is the lead investigator at using the academic electronic health record (EHR) to improve the data analytic skills of nursing students prior to clinical rotation/practice. She has just completed her latest seed grant funded by the Naval Office Research Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (GRT00370B, Okunji, PI) titled, “Enhancing Academic EHR (SimChart) To Improve Patient Outcome (e-EHR)”. In addition, Dr. Okunji is a recipient of the 2023 HU President’s Medal of Achievement, recipient of the 2022 Graduate School Medal for Teaching Excellence, 2026-2017 NIH Cardiovascular Disparities Programs for Inclusion and Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) award, 2015 NIH UCLA Mobile Health (mHealth) Scholar, 2014 NIH NIMHD Health Disparities Course Scholar, and 2012 Faculty Senate “Emerging Scholar” award. Her professional background merges over 25 years of teaching, clinical, and research experience in microbiology, nursing, leadership and informatics. Dr. Okunji is frequently invited to deliver presentations at both national and international conferences and has more than 60 publications, including 3-book chapters and Nursing Informatics textbook, for which she is a sole author. As a senior faculty, Dr. Okunji has mentored 15 junior and senior faculty in scholarship and grantsmanship, such as the just completed Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) program, which provided clinical research and stipend support for the DON faculty. She also mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students on scholarly writings. Dr. Okunji served as a primary advisor for Dr. Karyn Onyenoho’s PhD dissertation entitled “Genetic Determinants of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in African Adults: Identification of the Associated Factors.” Dr. Onyenoho is currently an advisor for Genomic Data Sharing in the Division of Neuroscience at the NIH National Institute on Aging. As an NIH Cardiovascular Health-Related Research PRIDE Cohort V Scholar, Dr. Okunji has been invited to mentor many new program applicants and helped disseminate flyers for the ongoing cohort XI recruitment and she is a member of the DC Cardiovascular Health and Obesity Collaborative (DC CHOC) Executive Community Advisory Committee through joint research with HU and NHLBI since 2013. 

Education & Expertise

Education

RN-BSN

Nursing
University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
May, 2002

MS

Nursing Informatics
University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
December, 2003

BSc-MSc

Medical Microbiology
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
December, 1996

Post Masters Certificate

Primary Care Provider, FNP-BC, CRNP (L#: R147327)
Coppin State University, MD
May, 2022

Ph.D.

Health Sciences with Specialization in Research & International Health
Trident University, Cypress, CA
September, 2010

Expertise

Academics

Academics

Doctoral Courses

Doctoral DNP Program

  • Health Informatics 

Graduate Courses

FNP Program:

  • Nursing Research theory & Practice
  • Nursing Research Practicum 

Undergraduate Courses

  • Health Assessment
  • Nursing Research
  • Health Policy
  • Leadership and Management
  • Online RN-to-BSN  Courses

Research

Research

Specialty

Data Science, Population Based Studies, Community Health, Health Informatics

Funding

TWO ACTIVE GRANTS (2021 – Present):

  1. NIH-OTA-21-017—1OT2OD032581-01

Multi-Million Dollars AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center Grant.

Funded: $15,000,000.00 – HU Data Science Training Core (DSTC)

Goal: to increase the participation and representation of researchers and communities currently underrepresented in the development of AI/ML models and enhance the capabilities of this emerging technology, beginning with electronic health record (EHR) data”.

Role: Okunji, PO (Co-PI)

Lead Investigator:  Clinical Informatics – Academic EHR (SimChart)/ Clinical Data Computing Training

Effort: 20%; 09/2021 – Present.

 

  1. HCAI_HU Seed Grant: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Grant titled, Enhancing Academic EHR (SimChart) To Improve Patient Outcome (e-EHR)

Funded: $50,000.00 (09/012023 - 08/31/2024)

Role: Okunji, PO (PI)

Effort: 10% (2023 - 2024)

 

Ten (10) COMPLETED FUNDED GRANTS (2012 – 2023)

  1. Mini-Grant#:  1O2OD032581-01

Funded: $20,000.00  Research Course Enhancement (RCe): Graduate Nursing

Goal:  enable graduate students acquire data analytic experience utilizing the

OCHIN, “All of Us” or BOYD data to answer research questions on in-patient cardiometabolics.

Role: AIM-AHEAD Faculty Mentor/Course Coordinator/Instructor.

Activity:  Students will have one-to-one hands-on experience in data computing and the course will be made available online to facilitate broader dissemination to other minority students.

Effort: 10%; 09/2022 – 09/2023.

 

  1. NIH-PA-15-322  Funded Grant

Funded: $228,727.00

Title: Overcoming challenges in health information technology to enhance research in underserved populations. Using two disparate datasets; MedStar Health (Cerner MedConnect), and data from Howard University Hospital (Cerner Soarian), EMR systems will be linked using a XML interpreter (parser) to extract relevant clinical patient information from XLM documents. A data parser (C, Java, SQL) will be used to interpret and process the data. In addition, NLP technologies will be developed for data passage via XML to complete a modular project on myocardial infarction.

Role: Okunji (PI), 25%/AY, 75%/Summer Effort (06/01/2016 – 3/31/2020).

 

  1. Government of DC, Mayor’s Office of African Affairs 2019 Community Grant. 

Funded: $15,000.00

Title:  FY 2018 African Community Grant on Health Literacy and Screening for African Communities in District of Columbia. A collaborative venture by African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA) and Howard University Division of Nursing. The goal of this project is to screen African DC residents for blood pressure and blood sugar and conduct educational outreach events to increase awareness of diabetes, hypertension and providing follow-up referrals and navigation support to assist the African communities to receive free and low-cost screening, when indicated.

             Role: Okunji (PI), 10% Effort (10/01/2018 - 10/05/2019)

 

  1. Government of DC, Mayor’s Office, 2019 Latino Community Development Grant  

Funded---$10,000.00.

Title:  FY 2018 Technological Capacity Building of Health Education and Screening of Adult Latino Immigrants Living in the District of Columbia. A foundation grant awarded to Howard University, Division of Nursing. The goal of this project is to screen Hispanic DC residents for blood pressure and conduct educational outreach events to increase awareness of diabetes, hypertension and providing follow-up referrals and navigation support to assist the Latino communities receive free and low-cost screening, when indicated.

             Role: Okunji (PI), 30% Effort (10/01/2018 - 09/30/2019).

 

  1. Government of DC, Mayor’s Office of African Affairs 2018 Community Grant. 

Funded: $20,000.00

Title:  FY 2018 African Community Grant on Health Literacy and Screening for African Communities in District of Columbia. A collaborative venture by African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA) and Howard University Division of Nursing. The goal of this project is to screen African DC residents for blood pressure and blood sugar and conduct educational outreach events to increase awareness of diabetes, hypertension and providing follow-up referrals and navigation support to assist the African communities to receive free and low-cost screening, when indicated.

Role: Okunji (PI), 10% Effort (10/01/2017 - 10/30/2018).

 

  1.      Government of DC, Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, FY17 Community Grant.       Funded: $15,000.00, Title: Health Literacy and Screening for African Communities in District of Columbia: A collaborative venture by African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA) and National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA) - DMV Chapter to which Dr. Okunji is the Research Chair. The goal of this project is to expand the associations’ health literacy and chronic diseases’ screening rates among African immigrants by conducting educational outreach events to increase awareness of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and providing follow-up referrals and navigation support to assist the African communities to receive free and low-cost screening, when indicated. Role: Okunji (Consultant/Evaluator), 10% Effort (10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017)

 

     9.  Government of DC, Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, FY16 Community Grant. Funded: $12,000.00. Title: Health                            Literacy and Screening for African Communities in District of Columbia: A collaborative venture by African Women’s                      Cancer  Awareness Association (AWCAA) and National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA) -                    DMV Chapter to which Dr. Okunji is the Research Chair. The goal of this project is to expand the associations’ health                  literacy and chronic diseases’ screening rates among African immigrants by conducting educational outreach events to              increase awareness of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and providing follow-up referrals and navigation support to assist                the African communities to receive free and low-cost screening, when indicated. Role: Okunji (Consultant/Evaluator),                10% Effort (10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016)

 

  1. Howard University Advanced Faculty Research Fellowship. Funded---$15,000.00 Title: Inpatients Diabetic Myocardial Infarction: Comparative Data Analysis. The project seeks to clarify health disparities in diabetic and non-diabetic myocardial infarction (MI) inpatients using two datasets, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), (predominantly White patients), and data from Howard University Hospital (HUH; predominantly Black patients) to identify the differences in length of stay (LOS), and 30-day readmission rates by patients’ characteristics. Role: Okunji (PI), 100% Effort/Summer 2015 (01/05/2015 - 02/05/2016)

 

  1. 5R24DA02 1470-04 NIH/NIDA Parent Grant (Sanders-Phillips) MIDARP pilot grant. Funded: $17,500.00. Title: Prevalence and outcomes of HIV/AIDS inpatients’ with mental health/behavioral disorders. The major goal was to conduct a national estimate of the prevalence and factors affecting health care outcomes of inpatient HIV/AIDS adults with mental illness and behavioral disorders by determining the variables that are more predictive of the outcomes than the traditional HIV prognostic variables. Role: Okunji (PI), 30% Effort (01/05/2013–04/28/2014)

 

    12. IS22 MD00241-21 NIH/NIMHD Parent Grant (Anthony Wutoh). Interdisciplinary grant. Funded— $15,000.00 Title:                    Comparative health disparity outcomes of inpatient diabetic myocardial infarction. The goal was to determine the factors                that affect inpatients with diabetic myocardial infarction and to have a better understanding of whether there is a health                  care disparity in the outcomes for the 2008 nonfederal hospital discharges. Role: Okunji (PI), 30% Effort (02/12/2012 –                04/30/2013)

 

SCHOLARLY AWARDS/HONORS (All-Paid-Expenses)

  1. Howard University Faculty Senate Emerging Scholar Award (2012)

Awarded Amt: $3,000.00

             See websites-links (3)

https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2vwJJ/i-HqNMWkF

http://da-dk.facebook.com/notes/lofton-llc/state-of-the-university-address-howard-university/392239190815837

http://www.howard.edu/capstone/may2012/universitynews.html

 

2.    PRIDE-CVD Scholar Award (SUNY, College of Medicine)

5 R25 HL 105446-6 Parent Grant (Mohamed Boutjdir)

An all-expense-paid --- Travels, Conferences, Housing & Feeding (1 - 2 wk/yr). A research career advancement opportunity sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) through a variety of Summer Institutes (May 2016 – 2017). Goal: To Increase Diversity in Cardiovascular Health-Related Research at Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, SUNY and Mid-Year Meeting Presentation at New Orleans. Role: Trainee, 5% Effort.

 

3.    American Heart Association (AHA) “Minority Early Investigator” Award (2010-2014)    

and American Heart Association Nursing Council Stipend (2012)

AHA Funded: An All-Paid-Expenses --- Paid Travels, Conferences, Housing & Feeding (1-wk/yr for 4 years). Goal: To Increase the Inclusiveness of Cardiovascular Health-Related Minority Junior Researchers.

Role: Early Investigator (November 2010 – November 2014)

 

 

Group Information

AIM-AHEAD Investigator: https://aim-ahead.net/

GHUCCTS Scholar: http://GHUCCTS

mHealth Scholar: http://mHealth

PRIDE Cardiovascular Scholar: http://PRIDE Cardiovascular 

PUBLICATIONS:

Books (Published/Unpublished):

  • Okunji, PO (Sole Author, 2019). Nursing Informatics: Connecting Technology and Patient Care (1st ed.,). | ISBN: 978-1-62661-624-0 | © 2019, pp. 1- 242. https://titles.cognella.com/nursing-informatics-9781626616240
  • Enwerem, M., Okunji PO., Strong C, Beck R, Edwards, ES (2016). Health Assessment Manual for Student Nurses.
  • Okunji, PO (2016). GUMC Acolytes & Crucifers Manual.
  • Okunji, PO (2012). Modified ATI Handbook for NCLEX Review.

Book Chapters:

  • Okunji, P., Mashal D., Strong C., Gina Brown. (2025). Technological development of the 20th Century. In Okoro, H, Agbai, E., Udeorah, S., Esmail, A. & Hamann, B. (Eds), Living in the 21st century world: perspective on climate change, pandemic, and digital transformation (Chapter 3, pp 45 - 60). Hamilton Books..
  • Okunji, P., Mashal D., Strong C., Devora Winkfield. (2025). The Coronavirus Pandemic: the health and economic implications. In Okoro, H, Agbai, E., Udeorah, S., Esmail, A. & Hamann, B. (Eds), Living in the 21st century world: perspective on climate change, pandemic, and digital transformation (Chapter 8, pp 157 - 174). Hamilton Books.
  • Aryal, S., Okunji, P., Shara, N., Libin, A., Jackson, A. D., Laurence, B., Symonette Ferguson, E., Washington, G., & Burge, L. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Beech, B. M., & Heitman, E. (Eds.), Race and Research: Perspectives on Minority Participation in Health Studies 2nd ed., (Vol.2). American Public Health Association. https://doi.org/10.2105/9780875533476ch12
  • Okunji, P. O., Adeyemi, E. (2016). Mortality Rate in Myocardial Infarction after Treatment in Myocardial Infarction (pp. 1-5), March 22, 2016. Avid Science, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://www.avidscience.com/book/myocardial-infarction/

Articles:

  • Okunji P, Lee B, Washington G, Washington A, Sherwood S, et al. (2024). Academic Electronic Health Records Usage: A Comparative Study. Curr Trends Intern Med 8: 218. https://doi.org/10.29011/2638-003X.100118
  • Okunji P, Lee B, Parham A, Washington A, Uka N, Sherwood S, et al. (2024). Academic Electronic Health Records Usage: SimChart Students’ Perspective. Curr Trends Intern Med 8: 217. https://doi.org/10.29011/2638-003X.100117
  • Seyoum A, Okunji P (2023). Are Contemporary Interventions Effectively Lowering Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in African Americans? J Community Med Public Health 7: 330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29011/2577-2228.100330
  • Uka N, Okunji P (2023). Could Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) be Effectively Used with Elderly COPD Patients Without Limitations? J Community Med Public Health 7: 331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29011/2577-2228.100331.
  • Washington A, Okunji P (2023). Worsening Nursing Shortage Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Effect on Staffing and Inpatient Outcomes. Int J Nurs & Healt Car Scie 03(14): 2023-287, https://columbuspublishers.com/uploads/articles/202312222123442947536_ijnhcs_2023__287.pdf
  • David, D., Weir, M., Enwerem, N., Schulman-Green, D., Okunji, P. O., Travers, J. L., & Clark-Cutaia, M. (2022). Enhancing the Use of Diversity Supplements: Perspectives of NIH Program Diversity Officers and University Research Administrators. Nursing Outlook. Published: November 14, 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.08.006
  • Travers, J. L., David, D., Weir, M., Enwerem, N.,  Okunji, P. O., Schulman-Green, D., & Clark-Cutaia, M. (2022). Demystifying the National Institutes of Health diversity supplement: Mentee and mentor experiences and recommendations. Nursing Outlook Published: November 14, 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.07.007
  • Fabunmi A, Okunji PO (2022). Impact of Covid-19 on African Americans with Type II Diabetes: A Retrospective Study (January-November, 2020). J Family Med Prim Care Open Acc 5:161: https://doi.org/10.29011/2688-7460.100061 https://www.gavinpublishers.com/assets/articles_pdf/1687847801new_article_pdf313575973.pdf
  • Dunbar-Keller D, Okunji PO (2021). The COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on Operating Room Design and Surgical Services. J Family Med Prim Care Open Acc 5: 160. DOI:10.29011/2688-7460.100060
  • Beal-Tyding D, Okunji PO (2021). African American Women and Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Widened Disparities Associated with Covid-19 Pandemic. J Prev Med Healthc 3(1): 1024.
  • Okunji PO, Ezebuihe, I (2021). The Infusion of Learning - Transfer Evaluation Model in Undergraduate Nursing Education During COVID-19 Pandemic: Leadership Simulated. Trends in Internal Medicine, 1(1): 1-4. https://www.scivisionpub.com/pdfs/the-infusion-of-learning--transfer-evaluation-model-in-undergraduatenursing-education-during-covid19-pandemic-leadership-simulated-1806.pdf  (2021-2022 AY, from here). And 3 others (7
  • Okunji PO (2021). Cardiac Syndrome X in Women. Journal of Nursing Care and Women Health, 30:1, March 2021.
  • Okunji PO, Pope, J (2021). Heart Failure: A Review. J Family Med Prim Care Open Acc 5: 156. DOI: 10.29011/2688-7460.100056. https://www.gavinpublishers.com/assets/articles_pdf/1617363678article_pdf1281887017.pdf
  • Ngwa E, Winkfield D, Okunji P (2020). Factors Affecting the Readmission Rates and Health Care Cost of Patients Hospitalized with Schizophrenia: Non-Adherence to Treatment and Increased Relapses. The Journal of the National Black Nurses Association, 31 (2), pp 68-71, PMID: 33617710.
  • Okunji PO, Nawar S, Kwagyan, J (2020). Factors Influencing the Mortality Rate of Patients Admitted with Chronic Disease in Urban Hospitals in DC Metropolitan Area: EHR Big Data Analysis. Family Med Prim Care, 4: 142, 02 March 2020. DOI: 10.29011/2688-7460.100042
  • Okunji PO, Ezebuihe I, Okunji CI (2020). Bipolar Disorder: A Review. Family Medicine and Primary Care, 4: 141. DOI: 10.29011/2688-7460.100041
  • Okunji, PO, Shara, N, Kwagyn, J, Brooks I, Mellman, T (2019).   Comparatives Outcomes Study of Patients Hospitalized with Diabetes and Myocardial Infarction: EHR Data Interrogation Among Hospital Categories, Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, April 05, 14 (1), pp 1-15. URL:  http://tinyurl.com/yxm3ulx5
  • Okunji, PO, Shara, N, Kwagyan, J, Brooks I, Brown S, Mellman, T (2019). Comparative Study of Disease Categories: EHR Interrogation. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 9(5), pp 50-54. URL:    https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v9n9p50
  • Okunji PO, Ezebuihe, I, Reese R, Okunji, CI (2018). Glaucoma Review, Int J Nurs Res Health Care: IJNHR-134, pp1-5. 12 September, 2018 DOI: 10.29011/ IJNHR-134. 100034
  • Karavatas, S.G., Okunji, P.O., Enwerem, N.M., Fungwe, T.V., Ngwa, J.S., Obisesan, T.O., Greene, R.A (2018). Descriptive Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with Congestive Heart Failure: A Brief Summary. Journal of the National Society of Allied Health, pp. 24-29.
  • Enwerem NM, Okunji, PO, Oyonumo NI, Samson A (2018). Momordica Charantia (Bitter Melon): Safety and Efficacy During Pregnancy and Lactation. International Journal of Studies in Nursing; Vol. 3, No. 2; 2018 ISSN 2424-9653 E-ISSN 2529-7317. URL: https://doi.org/10.20849/ijsn.v3i2.371
  • Enwerem NM, Okunji PO, Ngwa JS, Karavatas SG, Fungwe TV,…Obisesan T. (2018). International Journal of Studies in Nursing; Vol. 3, No. 2; 2018 ISSN 2424-9653 E-ISSN 2529-7317. doi:10.20849/ijsn.v3i2.371 URL: https://doi.org/10.20849/ijsn.v3i2.371
  • Okunji PO, Ngwa JS, Enwerem NM, Karavatas SG, Fungwe TV,…Obisesan T. (2017). Prevalence of Alzheimer Disease in Hospitalized Patients with Congestive Heart Failure. Int J Nurs Clin Pract 4: 249. doi: https://doi.org/10.15344/2394-4978/2017/249
  • Okunji PO, Daniel J (2017). Racial Composition of Hospital and Inpatient Myocardial Infarction Discharges and Outcomes. Journal of Preventive Medicine & Healthcare     1(2);1008. https://www.jscimedcentral.com/PreventiveMedicine/Articles/preventivemedicine-1-1008.pdf
  • Enwerem NM, Okunji, P., Johnson A (2017). Food-Drug Interactions: Implications for Nursing Practice. Nurs Health Care Int J 1(1): 000102.  https://medwinpublishers.com/NHIJ/NHIJ16000102.pdf
  • Okunji PO, Nwabukwu I, Ugorji J, Enwerem, N, Oriaku C,…. et al. (2017). Health Literacy and Screening for Chronic Diseases in African Communities in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Area. Int J Nurs Clin Pract 4: 241.  file:///Users/priscillaokunji/Downloads/article-IJNCP-241%20(15).pdf
  • Enwerem, NM, Okunji, P. O. (2016). Knowledge of Food and Drug Interactions among Nurses: Assessment Strategy for Continuing Education. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(1), 122.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v6n1p122
  • Okunji, P. O., Daniel, J., Frough, S (2016).  The Relationship between Inpatient HIV/AIDS Characteristics and Hospital Charges: Use of big data. International Journal of Studies in Nursing, 2016 ISSN 2424-9653, DOI: https://doi.org/10.20849/ijsn.v1i1.79
  • Okunji, P. O., Daniel, J., Frough, S and Hill, M (2015). The Relationship between Registered Nurse Staffing and Inpatients HIV/AIDS Clinical Outcome: Severity of Illness. Journal of Family and Community Medicine, July, 2(5): 1045 (impact factor: 1.17) www.jscimedcentral.com/FamilyMedicine/familymedicine-2-1045.pdf (Pubmed)
  • Enwerem, N., Okunji, P. O. (2015). Knowledge, Attitudes and Awareness of Food and Drug Interactions among Nurses with Different Levels of Experience. International Journal of Nursing. June, 2 (1); 1-9. DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v2n1a1. URL:http://ijnnet.com/journals/ijn/Vol_2_No_1_June_2015/1.pdf
  • Okunji, P. O., Daniel, J. (2015). Hospital stay of inpatients HIV/AIDS with mental and behavioral disorders: 2007 vs 2010 discharges in the United States. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 5(3), p110. 10.5430/jnep.v5n3p110, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v5n3p110 (Journal Statistics).
  • Okunji P. O., Hill, M (2014). Technology Integration in Undergraduate Traditional Nursing Programs: Students Online Testing Experience. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, June 20, 9 (1 & 2), 1-8. URL:  http://cjni.net/journal/?tag=priscilla-o-okunji
  • Okunji, P. O., Gomez, F (2014). Effects of Patients and Hospital Characteristics on Myocardial Infarction Mortality: Health Disparity Outcomes. Association of Black Nursing Faculty Journal, Winter 2014, 25 (1), 13-18. URL  http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/24660315    PMID: 24660315
  • Okunji P. O., Hill, M (2013). Undergraduate Online Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation: A Pilot Study. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, Summer/Fall 2013, 8 (3 & 4), 1-9. URL http://cjni.net/journal/?tag=priscilla-okunji
  • Okunji P.O., Daniel J, Wutoh, A (2013). Inpatients’ Outcomes Following Diabetic Myocardial Infarction: Income, Insurance, and Length of Stay in Teaching vs. Nonteaching Hospitals in the United States. Journal of Metabolic Syndrome 2 (125) 2167-0943. doi: 2167-0943.1000125.pdf
  • Green, P. M., Guerrier-Adams, S., Okunji, P. O., Schiavone, D., & Smith, J. E. (2013). African American Health Disparities in Lung Cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(2), 180-186.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23538254  PMID: 23538254
  • Okunji P.O., Afghani A, Gomez F. (2012). Exploring the Disparities in Healthcare Outcomes of Inpatient Diabetic Myocardial Infarction Transfers in Non Federal Hospitals. Journal of the National Black Nurses Association, July, 2012 23 (1), 29 -33. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23061167   PMID: 23061167
  • Okunji P.O, Afghani A, Hegamin A, Gomez F. (2012). Comparative Statistical Analysis of Inpatients with Diabetic Myocardial Infarction: Patient Length of Stay. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. April 2012. 10 (2), 1-7. http://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/Vol10Num2/Okunji.htm   
  • Okunji P.O., (2010). Outcomes of patients with diabetic myocardial infarction in non-federal hospitals: Effects of hospital and patient characteristics. Section 0622, Part 0564, 1- 206; digital ProQuest® Dissertation Database, Publication Number AAT 3442071, ISBN: 978-1-124-46679-8. Dr. Frank Gomez was the Ph.D. program Director and a member of my Dissertation Team-- http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/09/prweb13668711.htm
  • Okafor J.I., Okunji P.O., (1996). Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of some school children in Enugu State. Journal of Communicable Diseases;28(1):49-55, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=Okunji%20PO%5Bau%5D&dispmax=50   PMID: 8778181
  • Okafor J.I., Okunji P.O., (1994). Cryptosporidiosis in patients with diarrhea in five hospitals in Nigeria. Journal of Communicable diseases; 26 (2):75-80, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=Okunji%20PO%5Bau%5D&dispmax=50   PMID: 7989679
  • Unaeze N., Okunji (Abarikwu) P. O., (1986). Antimicrobial activity of certain medicinal plants. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology; 6 (1-2):13-20

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER PUBLICATIONS

  • Okunji P. O (2019). GUMC Acolyte & Crucifers: Heart Disease Overview. The Glenmont Messenger, October 2018, 61:9, 9.
  • Okunji P. O (2018). GUMC Acolyte & Crucifers: We very much appreciate you. The Glenmont Messenger, October 2018, 61:3, 14.
  • Okunji P. O (2018). End of year acolyte and crucifer appreciation. The Glenmont Messenger, January 2018, 60:6, 2.
  • Okunji P. O (2017). GUMC Worship News: The Perfect Gift: Heart Health. The Glenmont Messenger, February 2017, 56:7, 9 -11.
  • Okunji P. O (2016). Worship News: Our Acolytes and Crucifers. The Glenmont Messenger, October 2016, 56:6, 6
  • Okunji P. O (2016).  Learn about your risks for heart disease and stroke and stay “heart healthy” for yourself and your loved ones. The Glenmont Messenger, February 2016, 56:5, 12.

PEER REVIEWED PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS

***Publication Links: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Okunji%2C+PO

 

 

Accomplishments

Accomplishments

1. Promotion to Highest Academic Rank--Full Professor w/Tenure (2024)

Dr. Okunji was promoted from Associate Professor w/Tenure to a Full Professor (08/12/2024)

2. Subject-Matter Expert for the DNP Health Informatics Course (2024)

Dr. Okunji developed and taught the Doctoral (DNP) Health Informatics (NURD 703) as a Nurse Informatics Specialist (NIS)

3. The President's Medal of Achievement Highest Honor Recipient (2023)

The President’s Medal of Achievement is awarded to individuals at Howard University who demonstrate outstanding teaching, research, professional accomplishments or exceptional service to the university. Their achievement can be in any college/school in the university.

4. Dissertation Major Advisor and Committee Member to Dr. Karyn N. Onyeneho Ph.D., M.S. (2022)

Karyn N. Onyeneho Ph.D., M.S. (2022)

Dissertation Title: Genetic Determinants of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in African Adults: Identification of the Associated Factors (Candidate Genes and Causal Variants from Exome Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing, and Genome Wide Association Scans).

Mentee's Post Grad Achievements: 

*** https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/staff/onyeneho-karyn

***  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karynonyeneho

***  https://www.glamour.com/story/hbcu-college-woman-of-the-year-karyn-onyeneho

Mentee's Website: Colors of Genes 

*** https://colorofgenes.com/f/precision-nutrition

*** https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/healthymontgomery/Resources/Files/diabetes/Unite%202%20Integrate%20Diabetes%20Coalition%20Newsletter%20-%20July%202022.pdf

Mentee's Publications: https://academic.oup.com/cdn/article/6/Supplement_1/1121/6606277 

5. Excellence in Advisement/Mentoring Medal: Graduate School 2022 Hooding Ceremony: Medal Recipient (2022)

HU Graduate School Awarded Dr. Okunji a Medal for Her Excellence Advisement and Guidance of her Ph.D. Student With No Hesitance When Nominated To the Role:

*** Dr. Karyn Onyeneho, PH.D, MS (2022)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIRLvp2EUG0

6. #1 Poster Presentation Award Winner: Dr. Okunji's Student Mentees' Research Poster Presentation at the NYU-HU Symposium (April 29, 2023)

Poster Title:
The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Award Winning #1 Poster, Presented by my UG Student Mentees at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023).

Other Accepted Abstracts, Presentations (2023)
1. The Effects of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios on Patient Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Presented by UG Student: Rebecca Akande, at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023)
2. The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Award Winning Poster, Presented by UG Student: Bria Shepherd, at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023)
3. The Effect of COVID-19 on Women and Newborns During and After Pregnancy (Presented
by UG Student: Griffin Young, at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023)
4. The Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing Burnout and Staffing (Presented by UG Student: Estelle Jeffries, at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023)
5. Type 2 Diabetes and Social Determinants of Health: Adherence to Disease Management (Presented by UG Student: Christle Vidor, at the NYU-HU Health Disparities Conference, March 29, 2023)

https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2021/february/howard-n…
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:707946619681050624…

7. Primary Author: Nursing Informatics Text Book (2019)

Nursing Informatics: Connecting Technology and Patient Care prepares students to enter a healthcare system brimming with technology. The text introduces students to the complex and critical world of health informatics and provides them with the necessary tools and knowledge to develop measurable goals in data management through health technologies.


https://titles.cognella.com/nursing-informatics-9781626616240

8. DON Departmental Grants and Publications Awards (2018 -2023)

Dr. Okunji has been showered with awards, etc based on her funded grants, junior faculty mentoring and her publications. These awards are all products of Etsy.com as depicted in the link below:

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=Academic%20awards&ref=search_bar

13. PRIDE CVD PROGRAM (COHORT V, 2016 - 2017)

The PRIDE Summer Institute is a research career advancing opportunity at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University that is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This mentored research program will address the difficulties experienced by junior investigators (with a terminal degree, e.g., MD, PhD, EdD) in establishing independent research programs and negotiating through the academic ranks.

The goals of the PRIDE Summer Institute include:

  • Enabling participants to develop a balanced perspective in determining research priorities
  • Improving their capacity to address and eliminate health disparities
  • Developing the skills and networking necessary to achieve independent research careers in heart, lung, and blood disorders.

https://www.downstate.edu/education-training/pride/scholars/2016.html

Publications and Presentations

Publications and Presentations