Christine Rodriguez, DNP, APRN, FNP (BC), MDiv, MA
Cards
Titles
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Contact Info
About
Titles
Assistant Professor
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global HealthBiography
Dr. Rodriguez is a full-time lecturer in Simulation and the Graduate Entry Pre-Specialty Nursing Program at Yale University School of Nursing. She has an expansive clinical background in LGBTQIA+ healthcare, racial equity and social justice, simulation, religion, and spirituality, as well as medical cannabis. Dr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Applied Professional Studies from Nova Southeastern University, a Certificate in Faith Community Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Connecticut.
Having served as a healthcare chaplain and practitioner, Dr. Rodriguez was placed in the quintessential position to understand her patient’s needs by utilizing a biopsychosociospiritual framework. Such an approach amplified the inequities and disparities that are depicted within the healthcare system and religious/spiritual communities, specifically for folx of color. Through her own lived experiences and the usage of such framework, Dr. Rodriguez relentlessly strives to advocate and dismantle the systemic oppressive ideologies found within our everyday lives. She served as the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion taskforce for the medical services department at the University of Connecticut’s Student Health & Wellness clinic where she developed policies centered around equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Appointments
School of Nursing
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- School of Nursing
Education & Training
- DNP
- University of Connecticut, Nursing (2019)
- MS
- University of Connecticut, Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (2016)
- MDiv
- Liberty University, Divinity (2015)
- MA
- Liberty University, Theological Studies (2014)
- BSN
- Nova Southeastern University, Nursing (2013)
- BS
- Nova Southeastern University, Applied Professional Studies (2012)
Research
Overview
Dr. Rodriguez's project titled, “The Affirmative Care Program: An Evidence-Based Educational Program for Clinicians to Meet the Healthcare Needs of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Patients” aimed to address the knowledge gaps witnessed within healthcare services for the transgender community and served as the basis for consultative services with hospitals, medical practices, and other clinical partnerships. The program encompassed 5 facets:
- Diversity, health equity, inclusion, and belonging
- Microaggressions, implicit biases, and bystander intervention
- LGBTQIA+ definitions and terminology, chosen name and pronouns
- Gender affirming garments, gender affirming hormone therapy, and gender affirming surgeries
- Patient panel discussing their lived experiences both positive and negative within healthcare systems
Through her work, the University of Connecticut’s Student Health and Wellness clinic attained the prestigious designation of “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” marking it 1 of 4 university-based student health centers, at that time, to attain such a title across the nation.
Additionally, Dr. Rodriguez aims to educate the community on medical cannabis; thus, mitigating the stigma associated with the use of cannabis. She works together with probation officers, community officials, and clinical partners to help provide education surrounding the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of numerous qualifying conditions as designated by the State of Connecticut. She serves on the Board of Directors and is a Co-Chapter Leader for OutCare Health, “the nation’s first comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare offering provider and healthcare resource directories, mentorship, medical education reform, and cultural competency training.”