Bio
A pediatrician and health services researcher, Dr. JoAnna Leyenaar's work is focused on improving the quality of healthcare provided to children, particularly those who are vulnerable and underserved. In her clinical role, Dr. Leyenaar works as a pediatric hospitalist and Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Pediatrics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Leyenaar's main areas of research interest include: care coordination for children with chronic illnesses, urban-rural disparities in healthcare quality, hospital-to-home transitions, integration of mental and behavioral healthcare in pediatrics, and care of opioid-exposed infants. She is currently receiving funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of direct admission to hospital as an alternative to admission through emergency departments. In addition, she is funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to examine urban-rural disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for children with medical complexity. Dr. Leyenaar received her MD from McMaster University (Canada), her MPH from Harvard University, and her PhD from Tufts University.
Published Research
Pediatric Conditions Requiring Minimal Intervention or Observation After Interfacility Transfer.
McDaniel CE, Leyenaar J, Sullivan E, Desai S, Kessler L
J Hosp Med|2021 Jul
Yen RW, Smith J, Engel J, Muscat DM, Smith SK, Mancini J, Perestelo-Pérez L, Elwyn G, O'Malley AJ, Leyenaar JK, Mac O, Cadet T, Giguere A, Housten AJ, Langford A, McCaffery K, Durand MA
Med Decis Making|2021 Jun 21
Where Do Future Pediatricians Learn Behavioral and Mental Health Skills?
Green CM, Leyenaar JK, Nuncio B, Leslie LK
Acad Pediatr|2021 May 28
Psychotropic Polypharmacy and Antipsychotics in Children: A Survey of Caregiver's Perspectives.
McLaren JL, Barnett ER, Acquilano SC, Concepcion Zayas MT, Drake RE, Leyenaar JK
Community Ment Health J|2021 May 31
Infant Mortality Associated With Prenatal Opioid Exposure.
Leyenaar JK, Schaefer AP, Wasserman JR, Moen EL, O'Malley AJ, Goodman DC
JAMA Pediatr|2021 Jul 1
Courses Taught
PH 177:
MPH and MS Capstone Course Series 1
(2)
The overarching goal of these courses, a series of three capstone seminars taught during the academic year, is to guide and support students throughout the completion of an academically robust, high quality culminating Capstone Project. Each week the class will meet briefly as a single group, followed by smaller group meetings to address the process and content of specific projects.
Fall, Winter, Spring terms; 2 credits each term (HP, P, LP, NC)
Prerequisites: None
PH 178:
MPH and MS Capstone Course Series 2
(2)
The overarching goal of these courses, a series of three capstone seminars taught during the academic year, is to guide and support students throughout the completion of an academically robust, high quality culminating Capstone Project. Each week the class will meet briefly as a single group, followed by smaller group meetings to address the process and content of specific projects.
Fall, Winter, Spring terms; 2 credits each term (HP, P, LP, NC)
Prerequisites: None
PH 179:
MPH and MS Capstone Course Series 3
(2)
The overarching goal of these courses, a series of three capstone seminars taught during the academic year, is to guide and support students throughout the completion of an academically robust, high quality culminating Capstone Project. Each week the class will meet briefly as a single group, followed by smaller group meetings to address the process and content of specific projects.
Fall, Winter, Spring terms; 2 credits each term (HP, P, LP, NC)
Prerequisites: None