Kristina M. Bridges, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Kristina M. Bridges, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Dr. Bridges graduated with a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in 2012. Following graduation, Dr. Bridges worked for six years with community organizations combating food insecurity in Kansas City.

• BS, Biology , College of the Ozarks , Point Lookout, Missouri
• PhD, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology , University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City, Kansas

Research

Overview

Dr. Bridges' research focuses on the impact of social and structural drivers of health on outcomes for primary care patients. To achieve sustainable change toward greater health equity, attention must be paid to the social, historical, and structural factors that have created and maintained intergenerational health inequities. Her research addresses inequities by testing interventions in three areas: 1) structural competency education for providers and medical trainees, 2) clinical quality improvement to address health inequities in primary care, and 3) community interventions to address food insecurity.

• Bridges Kristina, LeMaster Joseph, Parente Daniel, Pacheco Christina M, Schultz CM, Morrow Emily, Corriveau Erin, Miras Neira Ton, Greiner Allan, Woodward Jennifer, Anders-Rumsey J, Cirotski D, Kessler Finocchario Sarah, Ellerbeck Edward. 2023. Assessing Social Needs and Engaging Community Health Workers in Underserved Kansas Counties: Insights From Primary Care Providers and Clinic Managers. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10693805/
• Pacheco Christina M, Bridges Kristina, Ellerbeck Edward, Ablah Elizabeth, Greiner Allen, Chen Yvonnes, Collie-Akers Vickie, Ramirez Mariana, LeMaster Joseph, Sykes Kevin, Parente Daniel, Corriveau Erin, Miras Neira Antonio, Scott Angela, Knapp Kara, Finocchario Kessler Sarah. 2024. Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE): Engaging local communities in public health responses to health inequities exacerbated by COVID-19-Protocol Paper. Frontiers in Public Health
• Glen Jason E, Kristina Bridger, Boy-Doe Kakra. 2024. Evaluating the Impact of an Educational Intervention on the History of Racism in America for Teaching Structural Competency to Medical Academicians. BMC Medical Education
• Bridges KM, Rampon K, Mabachi N. 2023. More Than Half of Family Medicine Clerkships Do Not Address Systemic Racism: A CERA Study.. Family Medicine
• Bridges KM, Woodward J, Murray M, Mumm E, Greiner KA. 2022. Pandemic Food Response in Primary Care to Minimize Exposure for Elderly Food Insecure Population.. Kansas journal of medicine, 15, 148-154
• Wetherill Marianna, Bridges Kristina M, Talavera Gabriella, Harvey Susan, Skidmore Brandon, Stewert Burger Elizabeth. 2024. Planting seeds for food is medicine: Pre-implementation planning methods and formative evaluation findings from a multi-clinic initiative in the Midwest. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health
• Brady Elliott, Bridges Kristina, Murray Megan, Cheng Huan, Liu Bing, He Jianghua, Woodward Jennifer. 2021. Relationship between a comprehensive social determinants of health screening and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Preventive Medicine Reports, 23, 101465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101465
• Hidaka BH, Hester CM, Bridges KM, Daley CM, Greiner KA. 2018. Fast food consumption is associated with higher education in women, but not men, among older adults in urban safety-net clinics: A cross-sectional survey.. Preventive medicine reports, 12, 148-151