Bio


Janine Bruce received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Occidental College. After graduation, she spent two years in Kyrgyzstan as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching ecology and English to secondary school students. Upon returning to the US, she received her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002. She returned to California and began working with the Pediatric Advocacy Program. Janine received her Doctorate of Public Health at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health in 2013. Her research interests included the reproductive health of foster care youth and vulnerable youth populations. With her background in public health, Janine’s role has been to bridge public health and medicine to better promote the health of underserved child populations through strong community partnerships and innovative community-based initiatives. She is the Director of the Scholarly Concentration in Community Health and supports medical students in community-engaged research and service. She also teaches courses across the undergraduate campus and medical school on community engagement and qualitative methods.

Current Role at Stanford


Co_Director, Pediatric Advocacy Program, Stanford School of Medicine
Co-Director for the Scholarly Concentration in Community Engagement and Advocacy, Pediatric Residency Program, Stanford School of Medicine
Director for the Scholarly Concentration in Community Health for Medical Students, Stanford School of Medicine
Instructor for graduate level qualitative methods, social determinants and community engagement courses, Stanford School of Medicine

Education & Certifications


  • DrPH, University of California, Berkeley, Public Health (2013)
  • MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Public Health (2002)

Service, Volunteer and Community Work


  • East Palo Alto Health Roundtable, Steering Committee Member, City of East Palo Alto (2006 - 2010)

    Location

    East Palo Alto

  • East Palo Alto Food Insecurity Collaborative (2013 - Present)

    Location

    East Palo Alto

  • San Mateo County Head Start Health Advisory Council, Institute for Human and Social Development (2006 - Present)

    Location

    San Mateo

  • Ravenswood City School District School Health Advisory Council, Ravenswood City School District School (2005 - Present)

    Location

    East Palo Alto

2023-24 Courses


All Publications


  • Lunch at the library: examination of a community-based approach to addressing summer food insecurity. Public health nutrition Bruce, J. S., De La Cruz, M. M., Moreno, G., Chamberlain, L. J. 2017: 1-10

    Abstract

    To examine a library-based approach to addressing food insecurity through a child and adult summer meal programme. The study examines: (i) risk of household food insecurity among participants; (ii) perspectives on the library meal programme; and (iii) barriers to utilizing other community food resources.Quantitative surveys with adult participants and qualitative semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample of adult participants.Ten libraries using public and private funding to serve meals to children and adults for six to eight weeks in low-income Silicon Valley communities (California, USA) during summer 2015.Adult survey participants (≥18 years) were recruited to obtain maximum capture, while a sub-sample of interview participants was recruited through maximum variation purposeful sampling.Survey participants (n 161) were largely Latino (71 %) and Asian (23 %). Forty-one per cent of participants screened positive for risk of food insecurity in the past 12 months. A sub-sample of programme participants engaged in qualitative interviews (n 67). Interviewees reported appreciating the library's child enrichment programmes, resources, and open and welcoming atmosphere. Provision of adult meals was described as building community among library patrons, neighbours and staff. Participants emphasized lack of awareness, misinformation about programmes, structural barriers (i.e. transportation), immigration fears and stigma as barriers to utilizing community food resources.Food insecurity remains high in our study population. Public libraries are ideal locations for community-based meal programmes due to their welcoming and stigma-free environment. Libraries are well positioned to link individuals to other social services given their reputation as trusted community organizations.

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S1368980017000258

    View details for PubMedID 28318465

  • Patient-Centered Care Challenges and Surprises: Through the Clerkship Students' Eyes. Family medicine Boggiano, V. L., Wu, Y., Bruce, J. S., Merrell, S. B., Schillinger, E. 2017; 49 (1): 57-61

    Abstract

    The patient-centered care model for health care delivery encourages medical providers to respect patients' preferences and give patients more autonomy over their health care decisions. This approach has gained importance within US medical school curricula. Yet, little is known about student perspectives on both patient-centered care and the benefits and challenges that lie therein. This manuscript explores the greatest impediments to, as well as the benefits from, student engagement in patient-centered care from the perspectives of students participating in their family medicine outpatient clerkship.Clerkship students on their core family medicine clerkship at Stanford University School of Medicine were provided the following open-ended prompt: "Describe a patient-centered care challenge or surprise in the family medicine core clerkship." Free-text responses were collected and analyzed using content and thematic analysis.A total of 326 responses from 216 students were analyzed for frequency and patient-centered themes. Nine final themes emerged and were grouped into three domains: student definitions of patient-centered care, patient-centered care impact on patients, and patient-centered care impact on medical professionals.Our study suggests that students find the patient-centered care model for health care delivery to be challenging but worthwhile. We highlight that students find communication with patients in a patient-centered manner challenging and discuss the need for improved medical education about patient-centered care in order to better prepare students to implement the model in a variety of psychosocial and medical contexts.

    View details for PubMedID 28166582

  • Building a Novel Health Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Residing at a Transitional Housing Program Violence Against Women Ragavan, M., Bruce, J. S., Bair-Merritt, M., Lucha, S., Maya-Silva, J., Stebbins, E., Chamberlain, L. J. 2017; 1 (20)
  • Finding the Words: Medical Students' Reflections on Communication Challenges in Clinic FAMILY MEDICINE Braverman, G., Merrell, S. B., Bruce, J. S., Makoul, G., Schillinger, E. 2016; 48 (10): 775-783

    Abstract

    Interpersonal communication is essential to providing excellent patient care and requires ongoing development. Although aspects of medical student interpersonal communication may degrade throughout career progression, it is unknown what specific elements pose challenges. We aimed to characterize clerkship students' perspectives on communication challenges in the outpatient setting to help inform curricular development.Third-year medical students in a required family medicine clerkship were asked to describe a communication challenge they encountered. Open-ended written responses were collected through a mandatory post-clerkship survey. Responses were qualitatively coded using an a priori framework for teaching and assessing communication skills (The SEGUE Framework for Teaching and Assessing Communication Skills) with data-derived additions to the framework, followed by a team-based thematic analysis.We collected 799 reflections written by 518 students from 2007-2014. Three dominant themes emerged from the analysis: challenges with (1) effectively exchanging information with patients, (2) managing emotional aspects of the patient encounter, and (3) negotiating terms of the encounter.Communication curricula focus on content and process of the medical interview, but insufficient time and energy are devoted to psychosocial factors, including aspects of the encounter that are emotionally charged or conflicting. While gaps in students' communication skillsets may be anticipated or observed by educators, this study offers an analysis of students' own perceptions of the challenges they face.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000387121300004

    View details for PubMedID 27875600

  • The Health of Women and Children After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence. Violence against women Ragavan, M., Bruce, J., Lucha, S., Jayaraman, T., Stein, H., Chamberlain, L. 2016

    Abstract

    Few studies have explored the perspectives of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) regarding their health and their children's health, their experiences accessing and utilizing health care, and health initiatives that would best serve their families' needs. We facilitated focus groups with female IPV survivors and adolescents who witnessed IPV. Women described their health and their children's health as poor and reported challenges with health care utilization, whereas teenagers generally perceived their health as typical for their age. Participants requested health education workshops, community resources, and social support. This study lays the foundation for further research and the development of health initiatives.

    View details for PubMedID 27411720

  • Sexual and reproductive health policies for foster youth in California: A qualitative study of child welfare professionals' experiences and perceptions of policies Children and Youth Services Review Bruce, J. S. 2016; 61: 184–200
  • Understanding Parent Perspectives Concerning Adolescents' Online Access to Personal Health Information. Journal of participatory medicine Gaskin, G. L., Bruce, J., Anoshiravani, A. 2016; 8

    Abstract

    Although today's youth are interested in using the internet to access and manage information related to their health, little information exists about parental attitudes towards the release of health information to adolescents.Structured interviews were conducted with the parents of 83 adolescents detained at a large Northern California juvenile detention facility to examine parental perceptions toward allowing their children online access to their own health information.The majority of parents interviewed (70%) wanted their children to have online access to their own health information. Seventy-nine percent of these parents were also comfortable allowing their children to choose with whom they would share this information.This study is one of the first to examine parental attitudes towards providing adolescents access to their own health information, and the first among parents of underserved youth. This study demonstrates that parents may be quite supportive of allowing their adolescent children to have secure online access to their own health information.

    View details for PubMedID 27595043

  • Attitudes Toward Smoking Cessation Among Sheltered Homeless Parents Journal of community health Stewart, H. C., Stevenson, T. N., Bruce, J. S., Greenberg, B., Chamberlain, L. J. 2015: 1-9
  • In Their Own Voices: The Reproductive Health Care Experiences of Detained Adolescent Girls Women's Health Issues Johnston, E. E., Argueza, B. R., Graham, C., Bruce, J. S., Chamberlain, L. J., Anoshiravani, A. 2015; 26 (1)
  • Asthma, tobacco smoke and the indoor environment: a qualitative study of sheltered homeless families JOURNAL OF ASTHMA Buu, M. C., Carter, L., Bruce, J. S., Baca, E. A., Greenberg, B., Chamberlain, L. J. 2014; 51 (2): 142-148

    Abstract

    Asthma is common in homeless children with an incidence of 28-40%. There are few published studies investigating asthma in homeless children. This study examines the perspectives of both caregivers and shelter staff regarding challenges and opportunities of caring for children with asthma.A focus group of sheltered parents (n = 10) with children who have asthma was conducted to identify barriers to optimal asthma management. Key informant interviews (n = 6) were conducted with shelter staff to discuss the shelter systems and policies to address childhood asthma. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed. A representative analysis team performed qualitative theme analysis.Key themes across 5 domains were identified: asthma education, access to asthma medication and equipment, asthma action plans, structural barriers to asthma management and environmental triggers. Parents identified multiple asthma triggers present in the shelter environment but cited lack of control as a barrier to remediation. Shelter staff desired elimination of asthma triggers but refer to the lack of resources as the primary barrier. Shelter staff favored a smoking ban on shelter property but named challenges to policy implementation. Both parents and staff identified asthma education and increased access to medications would be helpful.Policies to reduce environmental exposures, such as a smoking ban, to asthma triggers has the potential to improve the health of sheltered children with asthma.

    View details for DOI 10.3109/02770903.2013.857682

    View details for Web of Science ID 000331908900005

    View details for PubMedID 24147583

  • Global Health Training in Pediatric Residency: A Qualitative Analysis of Faculty Director Insights ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS Eneriz-Wiemer, M., Nelson, B. D., Bruce, J., Chamberlain, L. J. 2012; 12 (3): 238-244

    Abstract

    Interest and participation in global health (GH) has been growing rapidly among pediatric residents. Residency programs are responding by establishing formal GH programs. We sought to define key insights in GH education from pediatric residency programs with formal GH tracks.Seven model pediatric residency programs with formal GH training were identified in 2007. Faculty directors representing 6 of these programs participated in expert interviews assessing 6 categories of questions about GH tracks: understanding how GH tracks establish partnerships with global sites; defining organizational and financing structure of GH tracks; describing resident curriculum and pre-trip preparation; describing clinical experiences of residents in GH tracks; defining evaluation of residents and GH tracks; and defining factors that affect development and ongoing implementation of GH tracks. Data were analyzed using qualitative methodology.All programs relied on faculty relationships to establish dynamic partnerships with global sites. All programs acknowledged resident burden on GH partners. Strategies to alleviate burden included improving resident supervision and providing varying models of GH curricula and pre-trip preparation, generally based on core residency training competencies. Support and funding for GH programs are minimal and variable. Resident experiences included volunteer patient care, teaching, and research. Commitment of experienced faculty and support from institutional leadership facilitated implementation of GH programs.Directors of 6 model GH programs within pediatric residencies provided insights that inform others who want to establish successful GH partnerships and resident training that will prepare trainees to meet global child health needs.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000304212400014

    View details for PubMedID 22503444

  • Health, Occupational and Environmental Risks of Emancipated Migrant Farmworker Youth JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED Peoples, J. D., Bishop, J., Barrera, B., Lamas, O., Dunlap, J. L., Gonzalez, P. A., Horwitz, S. M., Chamberlain, L. J. 2010; 21 (4): 1215-1226

    Abstract

    This study examines the perceptions of health, health seeking behavior, access to information and resources, work related hazards, substance abuse, and social support of emancipated migrant youth (EMY) who come to the United States without their families to work.Semi-structured interviews were performed with EMY living without their families in Santa Clara County, California. Interviews were digitally recorded in Spanish, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed by a five-person analysis team.Eleven interviews were conducted with 29 participants. Work was identified as the overarching priority of the EMY Their greatest concern was becoming sick and unable to work. They described their work environment as demanding and stressful, but felt obliged to work regardless of conditions. Alcohol and drug abuse were reported as prevalent problems.Emancipated migrant youth are a vulnerable population who have significant occupational stress, hazardous environmental exposures, social isolation, and drug/alcohol abuse.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000283622700012

    View details for PubMedID 21099073

  • Universal health care coverage for children: Impact on pediatric health care providers JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED Chamberlain, L. J., Hughes, D. C., Bishop, J. S., Matsuda, D. H., Sassoubre, L. 2005; 16 (4): 622-633

    Abstract

    A Northern California county expanded health coverage to cover nearly all children in the state through a new insurance program. In two years, 75,500 children entered a health care system near capacity. We hypothesized that the influx of thousands of previously uninsured children into the health system would affect providers in many ways. This cross-sectional study sought to investigate how this influx affected provider practices, job satisfaction, access to specialists, and overarching views about the program. Qualitative analyses of expert interviews were performed. Providers reported improved access to health care, specialists, and medications for patients. They cited increased job satisfaction for providers due to fewer limits on care, improved referral process, and decreased patient family financial stress. Providers noted the persistence of long appointment wait times for specialist care. After moving to near universal coverage, safety net providers described increased job satisfaction. Because this study examined safety-net providers, future research requires a more representative sample of providers.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000233779500005

    View details for PubMedID 16311488