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Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology Department of Clinical and Health Psychology - College of public health and health professions
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Research Overview

Meet the Lab

Faculty

Kimberly A Driscoll

Kimberly A Driscoll Ph.D.

Associate Professor And Director Of Diabetes Behavioral Science Research
Department: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Phone: (352) 273-6145
Email: k.driscoll@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100165
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610

Dr. Driscoll is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and an Adjoint Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Florida and Colorado. Her expertise is in the psychological aspects of type 1 diabetes, its management, and technologies. She provides direct clinical care to individuals with type 1 diabetes of all ages and members of their support system. Dr. Driscoll has several active NIH grants focused on providing intervention to individuals with type 1 diabetes in an effort to improve self-management behaviors and glycemic control. She also holds an appointment as an Associate Professor at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado.

Accomplishments:
  • Crystal Award for Diabetes Journey
    2022 · Association for Educational Communications Technology, Division of Distance Learning
  • Recognized Student Organization of the Year Award
    2014-2015 · Florida State University
  • Outstanding Junior Faculty Research Award
    2011-2012 · Florida State University – College of Medicine
  • First Year Assistant Professor Research Award (2nd place)
    2011 · Florida State University
Specialties:
  • Psychology
Subspecialties:
  • Clinical Psychology
Clinical Interests:
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Depression
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Suicide and suicidal behavior
  • Type 1 diabetes
Research Summary:

Dr. Driscoll’s clinical research addresses adherence to medical treatment regimens, with a focus on using technology and diabetes device downloads to assess and optimize adherence and health outcomes in type 1 diabetes. She was awarded an NIDDK K23 Career Development Award focused on improving adolescents’ type 1 diabetes self-management behaviors via tailored feedback using insulin pump downloads and problem-solving interventions. She then extended her research program through an NIDDK R03 by providing intervention to reduce clinically elevated levels of fear of hypoglycemia, which was assessed as part of a patient-reported outcomes initiative in the clinic in mothers of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Dr. Driscoll was awarded an NIDDK DP3 implementing integrated medical and psychological care to improve type 1 diabetes self-management behaviors and health outcomes via combined in-person and telemedicine visits. Her overarching research goals are to develop and implement behavioral interventions to improve adherence during routine type 1 diabetes clinical care.

Research Interests:
  • Adherence
  • Clinical Trial Interventions
  • Diabetes Technology
  • Patient-Provider Communication
  • Psychosocial Aspects of T1D Management
  • Type 1 Diabetes
Publications:
Grants:
  • Aug 2024 ACTIVE
    Diabetes Brain and Cognitive Development Type 1 (DBCD-T1)
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIDDK · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2023 ACTIVE
    UFR CTSI Instituitonal Support
    UF DIV OF SPONSORED RES MATCHING FUNDS · Project Manager
  • Jan 2020 – Sep 2021
    DP3 – Home Telemedicine to Optimize Health Outcomes in High-Risk Youth with Type 1 Diabetes
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIDDK · Principal Investigator
  • Aug 2019 ACTIVE
    Home Video-Based Telemedicine to Reduce Hypoglycemia Fear in Parents of Young Children (RedCHip)
    NEMOURS CHILDRENS CLINIC · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2019 – Jun 2020
    JDRF National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship Program – Kimberly Barnett
    BREAKTHROUGH T1D – formerly JDRF Intl · Other
  • Jul 2019 – Jun 2020
    JDRF National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship Program – Dianna Boone
    BREAKTHROUGH T1D – formerly JDRF Intl · Other
  • Jul 2019 – Jun 2024
    OoR Matching Support for CTSI
    UF DIV OF SPONSORED RES MATCHING FUNDS · Project Manager
  • Jun 2019 – Aug 2020
    Hybrid closed-loop insulin therapy in pregnancies complicated by T1D
    UNIV OF COLORADO DENVER & ANSCHUTZ MED · Principal Investigator
  • Jun 2019 – Mar 2024
    Diabetes Journey: From systematic screening to intervention
    CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MED CTR · Principal Investigator
Education:
  • 2005-2007
    Child Behavior and Nutrition Fellowship
    Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • 2004-2005
    Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology Residency
    Children's Minnesota
  • 1999-2005
    Clinical Psychology PhD
    Florida State University
Full Profile
Sarah C Westen

Sarah C Westen Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor
Department: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Phone: (352) 273-6029
Email: westens@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae:
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100165
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
1225 CENTER DRIVE
DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
 GAINESVILLE FL 326100165

Sarah Westen, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. Dr. Westen is currently the Director of Diabetes Behavioral Medicine and Psychology at UF Health and a Board Member on the American Diabetes Association’s Youth Strategies Committee. Dr. Westen is former Chair of the American Psychological Association’s Special Interest Group in Diabetes, Board Member on the JDRF Psychosocial Advisory Committee, and JDRF National Psychology Fellowship recipient. Prior to coming to the University of Florida, Dr. Westen completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an Intramural Research Training Award recipient. Dr. Westen’s research in diabetes has won multiple recognitions with support through the National Institutes of Health and American Psychological Association.

Clinically, Dr. Westen is interested in the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic illness throughout the lifespan (e.g., coping, family management, transition from pediatric to adult care, treatment of comorbid mental health and behavioral conditions). Dr. Westen is additionally interested in improving care in medically underserved communities for individuals living with diabetes. Her patient-oriented clinical research focuses on factors related to health equity and healthcare equality as well as factors affecting adherence to medical treatment regimens.

Accomplishments:
  • Loan Repayment Program Award in Health Disparities Research (A Translational Approach to Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities in Type 1 and Insulin-Requiring Diabetes)
    2024-2025 · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Nominated; Outstanding Alumni Award in Professional Achievement and Career Service
    2024 · College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Dean’s Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
    2024 · College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Nominated; Outstanding Alumni Award in Professional Achievement and Career Service
    2023 · College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Dean's Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
    2023 · College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Psychosocial Factors Affecting Health Engagement and Outcomes in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes)
    2022-2024 · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Dean’s Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
    2022 · College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
  • Nominated; College and University Undergraduate Teacher of the Year Awards
    2021 · College of Public Health and Health Professions and University of Florida Undergraduate Award nominations
  • Most Cited Paper Award: Westen, S. C., Warnick, J. L., Albanese-O’Neill, A., Schatz, D. A., Haller, M. J., Entessari, M., & Janicke, D. (2019). Objectively measured adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes on multiple daily injections and insulin pump therapy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(1), 21-31.
    2021 · Journal of Pediatric Psychology
  • Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Factors Associated with Type 1 Diabetes Adherence and Glycemic Variability)
    2020-2022 · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes)
    2018-2020 · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
    2018 · JDRF
  • Drotar-Crawford Postdoctoral Research Grant in Pediatric Psychology
    2018 · American Psychological Association Division 54
  • Mary Jo Kupst Award for Research in Resilience
    2015 · American Psychological Association Division 54
  • Geoffrey Clark-Ryan Memorial Award for Pediatric Research
    2015 · University of Florida
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2012 Year in Research: Top 5 Most Influential Research Articles Award (co-author)
    2013 · Union College
Certifications:
  • Licensed Psychologist
    Florida Board of Psychology
Specialties:
  • Psychology
Subspecialties:
  • Clinical Child / Pediatric Psychology
  • Clinical Health Psychology
Clinical Interests:
  • Adjustment disorder
  • Adolescent depression
  • Depression
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder in children
  • Illness anxiety disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Type 1 diabetes
Research Summary:

Dr. Westen’s patient-oriented clinical research focuses on factors related to health equity and healthcare equality as well as factors affecting adherence to medical treatment regimens. Dr. Westen is especially interested in improving care in medically underserved communities for individuals living with diabetes.

Research Interests:
  • Adherence to medical regimens
  • Clinical Trial Interventions
  • Diabetes Technology
  • Health Equity
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Telehealth
  • Type 1 Diabetes
Publications:
Grants:
  • Aug 2023 ACTIVE
    Understanding T1D and Insulin-Requiring Diabetes in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC): A National Needs Assessment
    HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST, LEONA & HARRY · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2023 – Jun 2024
    Project ECHO Teleclinics for Rural Providers
    FL DEPT OF HLTH · Co-Investigator
  • Jul 2019 – Jun 2024
    Project ECHO T1D: HCT Trial
    STANFORD UNIV · Co-Investigator
  • Jun 2019 – Mar 2024
    Diabetes Journey: From systematic screening to intervention
    CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MED CTR · Co-Investigator
  • Jan 2019 – Jul 2019
    Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
    AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSO · Principal Investigator
  • Jul 2018 – Jun 2019
    Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
    BREAKTHROUGH T1D – formerly JDRF Intl · Co-Investigator
Education:
  • 2018-2019
    JDRF National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
    JDRF; University of Florida
  • 2017-2018
    Pediatric Psychology Fellowship
    University of Florida Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
  • 2016-2017
    Pediatric Psychology Residency
    University of Florida Health Science Center
  • 2012-2017
    PhD; Clinical and Health Psychology
    University of Florida
  • 2012-2015
    MS; Clinical and Health Psychology
    University of Florida
  • 2010-2012
    Intramural Research Training Award Postbaccalaureate
    National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • 2009
    BS; Neuroscience
    Union College
  • 2005-2009
    Neuroscience and Psychology BS
    Union College
Full Profile

Current Graduate Students

  • Shar Aghabeigi, M.S., Doctoral Candidate
  • Marco Funez-Ponce, M.S.
  • Hannah Manis, M.A., Doctoral Candidate
  • Alicia Pardon, M.S., Doctoral Candidate, Currently Completing Internship at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  • Cheyenne Reynolds, M.S., Doctoral Candidate
  • Charlayne Scarlett, M.S., MPH, Doctoral Candidate, Currently Completing Internship at University of Florida Health Sciences Center
  • Sara Wetter, M.S., Doctoral Candidate, Currently Completing Internship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Former Post-Doctoral Fellows

  • Holly O’Donnell, Ph.D., is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado’s Barbara Davis Center
  • Paige J. Trojanowski, Ph.D., is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Children’s National

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