Ann Murphy, Ph.D., CPRP
My research focuses on improving the lives of young people and adults with mental health conditions via the development, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based practices. Specifically, I focus on: the development of the behavioral health workforce, implementation science, and interdisciplinary education to enhance the capacity of future health professionals to adequately address the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses.
Research Overview
Building Better Behavioral Health
I currently direct three funded projects related to workforce development, technical assistance, and performance improvement. My work has been funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), state departments of mental health and education, and foundations.
I am the Director of the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), a SAMHSA grant to enhance the capacity of behavioral health and school mental health providers to implement evidence-based practices; Director of the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health (CCSMH) and PI on the NJ Department of Education-funded Enhancing School Mental Health Services project; and PI on a NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ grant to conduct a state-wide performance improvement project with county-level oversight committees to reduce emergency department wait times for individuals in acute psychiatric crisis.
Funding & Grants
Supported Research Programs
Federal, foundation, and institutional funding advancing predictive modeling of treatment responses
New Jersey Department of Education
$2,500,000
Enhancing School Mental Health Services Project
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Brief Overview of Aims:The New Jersey Enhancing School Mental Health Services Project supports the implementation of comprehensive school mental systems at the district and building levels by enhancing educators’ knowledge through training and technical assistance. Our multi-pronged approach includes the launch of the Technical Assistance and Leadership Academy for 50 New Jersey schools and Statewide Trainings available to all New Jersey schools and districts.
Total Dollar Amount: $2,500,000
Funding Period: 1/2023 – 1/2026
- 1/2023 – 1/2026
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
$6,950,000
Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)
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Brief Overview of Aims:The Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC provides training, technical assistance, consultation, and resource dissemination to support the transfer of knowledge from research to practice among the mental health workforce in federal region 2 (i.e., New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands). In addition to the MHTTC’s work with the mental health workforce, we also provide training and consultation in school mental health.
Total Dollar Amount: $6,950,000
Funding Period: 8/2018 – 9/2024
- 8/2018 – 9/2024
New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
$595,000
Acute Mental Health Care Systems Review Committee Performance Improvement Project
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Brief Overview of Aims: This project utilizes the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) performance improvement process to examine the acute care processes utilized by each NJ County Systems Review Committee (SRC) to ensure procedural and clinical efficiencies for those requiring psychiatric hospitalization. Through a collaborative process, we work with the SRCs to develop sustainable structures to review and revise processes that lead to more expeditious outcomes for individuals requiring hospitalization and reduce extended wait times in emergency departments.
Total Dollar Amount: $595,000
Funding Period: 8/2022 – 3/2024
- 8/2022 – 3/2024
Publications & Impact
Research Publications
2022
Evaluating the Impact of an Educational Program on Stigmatizing Attitudes in Dental Hygiene Students
Zechner M, Karyczak S, Murphy A, Vasilenko G, McMahon K, Drucks C, Singhal R.
American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. 2022; 23, 121-141
2022
Physical Therapy Students’ Perceptions for Working with Persons with Mental Illness in the United States
Zechner M,Anderson E, Murphy A, Zazzarino A, Karyczak S.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2022; 11.
2021
Use of telehealth in mental health (MH) services during and after COVID-19
Molfenter T, Heitkamp T, Murphy AA, Tapscott S, Behlman S, Cody OJ.
Community Mental Health Journal. 2021; 57(7), 1244-1251
2021
Challenges experienced by behavioral health organizations in New York resulting from COVID-19: A qualitative analysis
Murphy AA, Karyczak S, Dolce J, Zechner M, Bates F, Gill KG, Rothpletz-Puglia P.
Community Mental Health Journal. 2021
2019
Identifying challenges and benefits of online education for students with a psychiatric disability
Murphy AA, Malenczak D, Ghajar M.
Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability. 2019; 32, 395-409
Achievements
Awards & Honors
2022
Academic Leadership Program – Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences (ALP-RBHS) Fellow,
2019
HERS Institute, Higher Education Leadership Development for Women
2018
Rutgers, OASIS Leadership and Professional Development Program
May 2019
Faculty Gonfalonier Honoree, Rutgers, School of Health Professions
2013
Outstanding Academic Performance Award, UMDNJ – School of Health Related Professions, Ph.D. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program
1998
Susquehanna University Departmental Honors, Department of Psychology, B.A. Program
1998
Susquehanna University Departmental Award, Department of Psychology, B.A. Program
1998
Summa Cum Laude, Susquehanna University, B.A. Program
Get Involved
Join our Research
Interested in advancing your research? Reach out to Dr. Murphy
to learn more about opportunities to get involved.
