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Allison E. Gaffey, PhD

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)

Contact Information

Allison E. Gaffey, PhD

Appointments

Biography

Allison E. Gaffey, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist within the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, and a clinician investigator in cardiovascular medicine and women's health at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Her research concerns the contributions of nontraditional factors - stress, sleep, trauma, and social determinants of health - to incident hypertension, cardiovascular disease and prognosis, comorbid psychiatric conditions, the pathophysiology underlying this risk, and determining associations that are unique to women. Other translational interests include developing and testing the efficacy and effectiveness of behavioral and integrated care interventions to improve cardiovascular health, related outcomes, and quality of life. Her clinical practice is focused on providing psychological and behavioral health services, education, and support to preventive and integrated care initiatives in cardiology.

Education & Training

  • Advanced Fellowship in Women's Health (Research)
    VA Connecticut Healthcare System (2020)
  • Clinical Fellowship
    Rush University Medical Center (2018)
  • PhD
    University of Notre Dame
  • Predoctoral Residency
    Alpert Medical School of Brown University (2016)
  • MA
    University of Notre Dame
  • BA
    University of Connecticut

Activities

  • Stress, trauma, and social vulnerability: Cardiovascular risk and prevention opportunities for women Veterans
    Lexington, KY, United States 2023
    Healthy Hearts for Women Symposium

Honors & Recognition

AwardAwarding OrganizationDate
FellowAmerican Heart Association2024
Early Stage Investigator AwardAcademy of Behavioral Medicine Research2023
Research Recognition AwardAmerican Heart Association, Hypertension Scientific Sessions, Trainee Advocacy Committee2021
Young Investigators Research FellowAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine2020
APS Scholar AwardAmerican Psychosomatic Society2018
Dissertation Research AwardAmerican Psychological Association2015
Graduate Research FellowshipNational Science Foundation2012

Professional Service

OrganizationRoleDate
American Heart JournalReviewer2024 - Present
American Heart AssociationOversight Advocacy Committee, SFRN on Biologic Pathways of Chronic Psychosocial Stressors on Cardiovascular Health2023 - 2025
Society of Behavioral Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease Special Interest GroupChair2023 - 2024
American Heart Association, Stroke CouncilPsychological Health and Wellbeing Committee2023 - Present
JAMA Network OpenReviewer2023 - Present
Journal of the American College of CardiologyReviewer2023 - Present
American Psychosomatic SocietyAnnual Meeting Program Committee2022 - 2024
American Heart AssociationReviewer, Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Biologic Pathways of Chronic Psychosocial Stressors on Cardiovascular Health2022 - 2023
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and PreventionReviewer2021 - Present
American Journal of Preventive MedicineReviewer2020 - Present
Health PsychologyReviewer2018 - Present
Psychosomatic MedicineReviewer2018 - Present

Departments & Organizations