Candace Robertson-James, DrPH, MPH

Dr. Candace Robertson-James received her doctorate in public health from Drexel University School of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Prevention. She received her master of public health degree from MCP Hahnemann University (now Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University) and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Villanova University. She is currently an assistant professor and director of the Master of Public Health Program at La Salle University.

Prior to joining LaSalle, Dr. Robertson-James served as an assistant professor, research manager of the Women’s Health Education Program and associate director of the Office of Urban Health Equity, Education and Research at the Drexel University College of Medicine. She has also served as adjunct faculty for Eastern University, LaSalle University and Drexel University (Dornsife School of Public Health) and as a research and data consultant on several projects.

Dr. Robertson-James’ research has focused on the epidemiology of adolescent violence in urban centers such as Philadelphia; cultural sensitivity training in health professionals; gender and race based health disparities, particularly those issues affecting women, minorities and adolescents; barriers to the inclusion of minorities in research; health initiatives targeting incarcerated women; intimate partner violence; health promotion interventions and the role of intersectionality (racism and sexism) in the subjective social status and overall health status of black women. Dr. Robertson-James has also led and evaluated community participatory research initiatives promoting health in diverse and underserved communities. She is a member of the American Public Health Association and the Society for Public Health Education.

Areas of Expertise

Program Planning (Needs Assessment, Program Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation)

Intimate Partner Violence

Community Based Participatory Research

Social Determinants of Health

Women’s Health

Sex, Gender & Health

Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research Methodologies

Teaching

PHLT 301: Theories of Social and Behavioral Change in Community Health Education
PHLT 750 & 751 Public Health Practice Experience 1,2: Seminar
PHLT 705: Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
PHLT 489/639: Race, Ethnicity & Public Health
PHLT 410-42 Public Health Education Capstone 1
PHLT 411-42 Public Health Education Capstone 2
PHLT/HSC 101: Essentials of Public Health
PHLT 355: Needs Assessment and Program Planning
PHLT 489/639: Race, Ethnicity & Public Health

Education

DrPH., Drexel University, Dornsife School of Public Health, Concentration: Community Health & Prevention
MPH., MCP Hahnemann University, School of Public Health, Concentration: Community Health & Prevention
BS., Villanova University
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Translational Health Disparities Course (2013)

Funded Research

Baylor College of Medicine Subcontract, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
T36 Training Grant – $15,000
2015
Conference Co-Chair
(#4T36GM095343-04)
DHHS/OWH – ACA Supplement
$242,759
2014-2015
Project Director
(CCEWH151028-02-00)
DHHS/OWH – Coalition for a Healthier Community
$1,500,000
2011-2016
Project Director
(CCEWH111020-01-00/ CCEWH151028-02-00)
DHHS/OWH – Heart Attack Symptoms and Calling 911 Campaign for Women
$20,000
2010-2013
Evaluator
DHHS/ OWH – Coalition for a Healthier Community
$100,000
2010-2011
Evaluator
(#CCEWH101015-01-00)
Susan B. Spencer, Inc. – Emerging Concepts in Women and Children and Violence
$5500
2008-2009
Evaluator
(#HHSP233200800530P)
DHHS/ OWH – Advancing System Improvements to Support Targets for Healthy People 2010 (ASIST 2010)
$1,499,940
2007-2010
Project Director
(#WH-AST-07-001)
DHHS/ OWH “Advocacy in Action” Evaluation of community health education
Workshop series for underserved populations
$99,713
2007-2008
Health Educator, Evaluator
(#07T070033)
Valentine Foundation “Advocacy in Action” curriculum on issues of Incarceration
$30,000
2006-2008
Evaluator

Selected Presentations

Robertson-James, C., Sawyer, L., Núñez, A. Gender based programming as a catalyst for policy development: The Philadelphia Ujima experience. Oral Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. November 2016

Sawyer, L., Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A. Youth-focused gender integrated health education and promotion interventions: The Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community Experience. Roundtable Discussion. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. November 2016

Robertson-James, C., Sawyer, L., Núñez, A. Engaging teens for health equity: Philadelphia Ujima’s social media, health and leadership internship experience. Oral Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. November 2016

Plaisime, M., Robertson-James, C., Núñez., A., Wolf, J., Reels, S. Social media & teens: A needs assessment exploring the potential role of social media in promoting health. Social Media Technology Conference & Workshop. Howard University. Washington DC. October 2016.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A. Role of health policies in faith-based institutions in promoting health behavior change: The Philadelphia Ujima experience. Roundtable Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. November 2015

Robertson-James, C., Acha-Morfaw, M., Núñez, A. Exploring the role of social media in a gender integrated health promotion program. Poster Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. November 2015

Fadeyibi, O., Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A. Health in Organizational Policies: Philadelphia Ujima’s Program Evaluation. Oral Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. November 2015

Robertson-James, C., James, G. Much Given, Much Required . Tedx Villanova. Provided a speech at the Villanova Tedx event. Villanova, PA October 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmA0FVJmr0o
Robertson-James, C. Núñez, A. The role of academic/ community partnerships in promoting health. Poster Presentation. Eighth Health Disparities Conference. New Orleans, LA. March 2015.

Robertson-James, C. Núñez, A. The role of academic/ community partnerships in promoting health. Oral Presentation. Eighth Health Disparities Conference. New Orleans, LA. March 2015.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A., Reels, S. Academic and Community partnerships: A key to addressing disparities. Poster Presentation. Minority Health and Health Disparities Grantees’ Conference. National Harbor, Maryland. December 2014.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A., Plaisime, M., Reels, S. Philadelphia Ujima 2.0 Using a gender framework to explore the role of social media in health education for teens. Oral Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. November 2014.

Robertson-James, C., Bowen, K., Lippa. C., Núñez, A., Gonzalez, C. Assessing the role of gender differences in dementia caregiver risk. Oral Presentation. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. November 2014.

Lippa, C., Bowen, K., Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A., Gonzalez, C. The Role of Gender Differences in Dementia Caregiver Risk. Poster Presentation at the American Academy of Neurology 66th Annual Meeting. Philadelphia PA. April 2014.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A., Reels, S., Plaisime, M. Philadelphia Ujima 2.0 Exploring the Role of Social Media in Teen Health Promotion. Oral Presentation at the Society of Public Health Education. Baltimore, MD. March 2014.

Robertson-James, C. Anatomy of Opportunity. Tedx Villanova. Provided a speech at the Villanova Tedx event. Villanova, PA November 2013. https://youtu.be/5LnLIV7cB3c

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A., Reels, S. “Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community “Improving girls’ health through gender integrated health promotion interventions: The Philadelphia ujima experience”.” Poster Presentation at the American Public Health Association annual meeting. Boston, MA. November 2013.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, AE., Reels, S. “Gender Integrated Health Promotion Interventions: The Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community Experience” Poster Presentation at the Society of Public Health Education. Orlando, FL, April 2013.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, AE., Reels, S. “Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community: A needs assessment of girls and women using a gender analysis framework.” Poster Presentation at the Women’s Health Congress. Washington, DC, March 2012.

Publications

Robertson-James, C. Sawyer, L., Núñez, A., Campoli, B., Robertson, D., DeVilliers, A., Congleton, S. Promoting policy development through community participatory approaches to health promotion: The Philadelphia Ujima Experience. In Press

Robertson-James, C., Jeanty, J. Let’s talk sex: Exploring sexual risk and experiences of discrimination in African Americans. Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships.2016;2(4):93-113.

Núñez, A. Robertson-James, C., Reels, S., Jeter, J., Rivera, H., Yusuf, Z., Liu, F. Exploring the role of gender norms in nutrition and sexual health promotion in a high school based intervention: The Philadelphia UjimaTM experience. Journal of Evaluation and Program Planning.2015;51:70-77.

Foster, J., Núñez, A., Spencer, S., Wolf, J., Robertson-James, C. Sexual Safety Planning as an HIV Prevention Strategy for Survivors of Domestic Violence. Journal of Women’s Health.2015; published online ahead of print Nov.23 doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5252.

Woloski, J., Robertson-James, C., Reels, S., Núñez, A. Childcare responsibilities and women’s medical care. Journal of Women’s Health Issues & Care. 2014;3:1.

Robertson-James, C., Núñez, A. Incarceration and Women’s Health: The Utility of effective health education programming – A commentary. American Journal of Health Education. 2012;43(1):2-4.

Nunez, AE., Robertson-James, C., Reels, S., Weingartner, RM., Bungy, B. Conducting a needs assessment for women and girls using a gender analysis framework: The Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community Experience. Women’s Health Issues. 2012;22(6):e527-e534.

Ehrenthal, D., Núñez, A., O’Neill, E., Robertson-James, C., Addo, SF., Stewart, A. The Role of the Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women. Women’s Health Issues.2011;21(5):338-344.

Núñez A, Robertson-James C, Myers A. Women and the Incarceration Epidemic: What Every Healthcare Provider Needs to Know – The Case of Nicole Anderson. MedEdPORTAL; 2011. Available from: www.mededportal.org/publication/8486

Honors and Awards

Cup of Tea Award for service to community, family, and church in a way that exemplifies intelligence, strength, leadership, and one who is passionate about improving the quality of life for all (Zion Baptist Church of Ardmore)

2010 Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Medallion for demonstrating excellence in her professional endeavors and commitment to the values and ideals of Villanova.

Exemplary Instruction and Service award from Eastern University, People for People Institute

Exemplary Community Based Master’s Project Award for work on a project addressing adolescent violence, specifically, exploring the role of school commitment as a protective factor in adolescent experiences with violence.