Persephone Vargas
Professor • School of Nursing
Dr. Vargas’ role as an educator and clinician have allowed her to meld her interests and guide her research focus. In the past five years, she has conducted research studies and programs that focus on Filipino American immigrant health. Her clinical background in cardiovascular health stimulated her interest in the acculturation, diet and obesity among Filipino American immigrants. Her goal is to help eliminate health disparity and promote culturally-appropriate interventions to improve the health status of the Filipino American immigrant population. These research activities have resulted in multiple publications and national and international presentations.
Dr. Vargas’ organizational and collaborative skills have resulted in joint publications and presentations, as well as being a PI or co-PI of research projects and the Academic Research Collaborator for a PCORI funded grant. As a first-generation Filipino American immigrant nurse, with Filipino American immigrant parents, who are also nurses, she has a strong passion and understanding of the Filipino culture and values. She is an active member of the Philippine Nurses Association of America in New Jersey and multiple other Filipino community organizations. In 2018, she was recognized nationally and awarded the Nurse Practitioner of the Year award by the Philippine Nurses Association of America.
As nursing is a practice profession, it is imperative to include relevant topics and innovative teaching methods in the undergraduate and graduate nursing program. To accomplish this, Dr. Vargas collaborated with faculty from different healthcare professions to initiate an interprofessional program among graduate students. In addition, Dr. Vargas worked with other faculty to integrate LGBT care in the nursing curriculum. Her most recent accomplishment is to spearhead the expansion of the dedicated education (DEU) program.
Professional Interests
Advance Practice Nursing
Med/Surg
Asian Health
Other Interests
Foodie, Travel, Cooking, Cake Decorating, Running/Triathlon, Dance
Languages (other than English)
FilipinoDegrees
Specialization
Cardiology
Licenses and Certifications
Adult Advance Practice Nurse,
Family Nurse Practitioner ,
Representative Publications
Dietary Acculturation among Filipino Americans;
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;
Volume
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13010016
Dietary Intake and Obesity Among Filipino Americans. ;
Diet and Obesity Among Filipino Americans: Impact to Health;
2017
Systematic Literature Review of the Relationship between Acculturation and Diet Among Filipino Americans: Implications to Health and Future Research. Journal of Nursing Practice Applications and Reviews of Research;
, Journal of Nursing Practice Applications and Reviews of Research;
2017
Effectiveness of transgender care content in a nurse practitioner program;
2018
Representative Presentations
What's New With The DEU?
Exposing the Hidden Asian Obesity Epidemic.
The Implementation and Evaluation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) in the Graduate Nursing Program."
Dietary Acculturation and Obesity Among Filipino Americans
A research examination of Transgender Health Care Content in a Nurse Practitioner Program.
Awards and Honors
01/01/2018
01/01/2015
05/01/2015
Notable Courses Taught
DEU
Advanced Practice Nursing 1 and 2
APN Practicum