Dr. Stephenson-Hunter is a researcher and educator, born and raised in the South Bronx. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Psychology and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Social Medicine. Dr. Stephenson-Hunter’s work investigates lived experience as it influences health and educational behavior and outcomes. Her research focuses on agency and motivation for populations with externalized perceptions of control. Dr. Stephenson-Hunter's research agenda stems from her experiences being a member of and working within underserved communities. These experiences, along with her interdisciplinary training in psychology, health education, and epidemiology, similarly inspire her to translate these findings into culturally and theoretically sound practices and interventions.

Peer-Reviewed Publications:

Rodriguez, J., Applebaum, J., Stephenson-Hunter, C., Tinio, A., & Shapiro, A. (2013). Cooking, Healthy Eating, Fitness and Fun (CHEFFs): A mixed-methods evaluation of a nutrition education program for children living at urban family homeless shelters. American Journal of Public Health, 103(Suppl 2), S361–S367.

Stephenson-Hunter, C., Dardeck, K. (2019). Locus of Control and Health Promotion for Marginalized Populations. Journal of Social Behavioral and Health Sciences, 13, 115-127.

Stephenson-Hunter, C., Reyes-Adames, T., Franco, S., Hosgood, D.,Correa, N. (2019). Curriculum Analysis of a Pipeline Program for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine and Economically Disadvantaged Pre-Medical Students, in the Bronx, NY.  Journal of Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity, 12(1), 1-23. doi:10.2307/26894224

Stephenson-Hunter, C., Gonzalez, N., Stumpf, L., Strelnick, A.H., Gonzalez, C.M. (2021). Dreams Realized A Long-Term Program Evaluation of Three Summer Diversity Pipeline Programs. Journal of Health Equity. 5(1), 512-520. doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0126

Stephenson-Hunter, C., Franco, S., Martinez, A., Strelnick, A.H. (2021) Virtual Summer Undergraduate Mentorship Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine Yields Significant Increases in Self-Efficacy Measurements During COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Health Equity. doi.org/10.1089/heq.2021.0060

Books, Chapters in Books, and Review Articles:

Microwave Chef, Quick and Easy Meals you Never Thought You Could Make in a Microwave, (cookbook designed for populations with limited cooking facilities) co-authored with Sandra Arevalo, RD, MPH. New York: Children’s Health Fund/Walmart Foundation 2015.

Invited Presentations:

National

Locus of Control, Poverty and Health Promoting Behavior. Walden University 2018 Research Symposium, Minneapolis, MN, July 2018.

Blame and Shame: Beliefs that Perpetuate United States Health Disparities. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Building Coalitions and Collaborations Within and Around Psychology, Pittsburg, PA, June 29, 2018.

Promoting healthy habits: Innovative nutrition education programs for homeless children and families (Workshop/Presentation). The National Health Care for the Homeless Council Annual Conference and Policy Symposium in Washington D.C, 2013.

Local

A Gap Analysis between the Summer Undergraduate Mentorship Program (SUMP) and the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students. Montefiore Department of Family and Social Medicine Research Symposium, June 19, 2018

Locus of Control, Poverty, and Health Promoting Behavior. The Department of Family and Social Medicine Research Symposium at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y., March 11, 2018.