Benissa E. Salem, PhD, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

About

Benissa E. Salem, PhD, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL is a community-based, nurse scientist, and academician with a commitment, passion, and drive to reduce health disparities among people experiencing homelessness and underserved communities. As a community-engaged, nurse scientist, she utilizes mixed methods approaches and community-based participatory research principles (CBPR) to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions with people experiencing homelessness. Dr. Salem previously completed a National Institute of Nursing Research T32 health disparities pre-and-post doctoral fellowship and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies with a minor in News, Media, and Society from the University of Southern California, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science from UCLA. Dr. Salem has experience teaching, mentoring (research, teaching), and guest lecturing across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs, and is actively involved in professional scholarship and community-based research.

Faculty Research and Clinical Expertise

Research: People Experiencing Homelessness, Frailty, Health Disparities, Health and Social Justice, Trauma-Informed Care, Mixed Methods Approaches, Intervention Development and Implementation

Clinical: Community and Public Health Nursing, Gerontology, Health Disparities/Vulnerable Populations

Education

Trauma-Informed, Clinical Foundation Certificate, University at Buffalo, New York, School of Social Work

Trauma-Informed, Organization Certificate, University at Buffalo, New York, School of Social Work

University of California, Los Angeles, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Health Disparities & Vulnerable Populations

University of California, Los Angeles, Ph.D., Nursing

University of California, Los Angeles, M.S.N., Nursing

University of Southern California, B.S., Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, News, Media, & Society

Honors and Awards

2022Faculty DAISY Award Honoree

2020Mark Askins Exceptional Leadership Award, Miracle Messages

2018NIH/NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute (HDRI) Scholar, Bethesda, Maryland

2018UCLA Faculty Speaker (Student-Nominated), Pinning Ceremony, Master's Entry Clinical Nursing

2013UCLA Linda Sarna Doctoral Dissertation Award

2013UCLA School of Nursing, Emerging Leader Award

2013UCLA School of Nursing, Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Marshall

2012Sigma Phi Omega National Gerontology Academic Honor Society

2012UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship Award

2009Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society

2004USC Keck School of Medicine Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

2004USC SCion Scholar

2004USC Trojan Recognition Award for Leadership & Service

2004USC Renaissance Scholar

Professional Activities

2021-PresentMember, American Nurses Association

2020-PresentMember, Association for Prevention Teaching, and Research

2020-PresentCo-Chair, Research Committee, Sigma Theta Tau International Gamma Tau at Large

2016-PresentMember, Gerontology Society of America

2016-PresentMember, American Public Health Association

2011-PresentMember, Western Institute of Nursing

2009-PresentMember, Sigma Theta Tau International

Publications

Nyamathi, A., Shin, S. S., Doratt, B. M., Jones-Patten, A., Salem, B., Gelberg, L., Lee, D., Garfin, D., Yadav, K., Chang, A. H., White, K., Arce, N., & Messaoudi, I. (2023). Correlates of SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD IgG antibody titers among persons experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Public Health Nursing, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phn.13170

Van der Ploeg, T., Gobbens, R. J. J., Salem, B. E. (2022). Bayesian Techniques in Predicting Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Netherlands. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2022.104836

Nyamathi AM, Gelberg L, Lee D, Arce, N., Patten-Jones, A., Yadav, K., Goodwine, M., Alikhani, M., Yao, M, Chang, AH., Salem, B.E. (2022). Perceptions of Homeless Adults and Their Providers on Coping With the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Harm Reduction Services. Global Qualitative Nursing Research. doi:10.1177/23333936221108712

Nyamathi, A., Morisky, D., Wall, S. A., Yadav, K., Shin, S., Hall, E., Chang, A.H., White, K., Arce, N., Parsa, T., Salem, B. E. (2022). Nurse‐led intervention to decrease drug use among LTBI positive homeless adults. Public Health Nursing. PMID: 35014087, https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13044

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B. E., Shin, S. S., Jones, A. A., Garfin, D. R., Yadav, K., Chang, A., White, K., Morisky, D. (2021). Effect of a Nurse-Led Community Health Worker Intervention on Latent Tuberculosis Medication Completion Among Homeless Adults. Nursing Research. PMID: 34380979 PMCID: PMC8563379, https://doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000545

Nyamathi, A. M., Wall, S. A., Yadav, K., Shin, S. S., Chang, A., Arce, N., Cuellar, H., Fernando, S., White, K., Gelberg, L., Salem, B. E. (2021). Engaging the Community in Designing a Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program for Adults Experiencing Homelessness. Qualitative Health Research, PMID: 34189974, https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211021782.

Nyamathi, A. M., Salem, B.E. (2021). The impact of unstable housing on health. The Lancet Public Health, 6(5), e265-e266, PMID: 33780657, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00035-9

Salem, B.E., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M.L., Hall, E., Turner, S.F., Faucette, M., Slaughter, R., (2021). Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced by Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women during Reentry – A Qualitative Study. Community Mental Health Journal, 57, 609-621. PMID: 33387178 PMCID: PMC8514107 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00748-8

Salem, B.E., Klansek, E., Morisky, D.E., Shin, S.S., Yadav, K., Chang, A.H., Nyamathi, A.M. (2020). Acceptability and Feasibility of a Nurse-Led, Community Health Worker Partnered Latent Tuberculosis Medication Adherence Model for Homeless Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research in Public Health. Res. Public Health, 17 (22), 8342. PMID: 33187301, PMCID: PMC7697464, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228342

Garfin, D. R., Morisky, D., Shin, S. S., Salem, B.E., Yadav, K., Deguzman, R., Harvey, G., Adams, I., Halas, K., Chang, A., White, K., Wu, J., Nyamathi, A.M. (2020). Correlates of depression and anxiety among homeless adults with latent tuberculosis infection. Journal of Health Psychology. PMID: 32951464, PMCID: PMC7972994, https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320956693.

Salem, B.E., Hudson, A.L., Yadav, K., Lucas, J., Toyama, J., Chen, S., Faucette, M., Ekstrand, M.L., Nyamathi, A.M., (2020). Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, PMID: 32400227, PMCID: PMC8428553, https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1720050.

Salem, B.E., Brecht, M-L., Ekstrand, M., Faucette, M., Nyamathi, A.M. (2019). Correlates of Physical, Psychological and Social Frailty among Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women. Healthcare for Women International, PMID: 30901288, PMCID: PMC6755073, doi: 10.1080/07399332.2019.1566333.

Nyamathi, A., Shin, S. S., Smeltzer, J., Salem, B., Yadav, K., Krogh, D., & Ekstrand, M. (2018). Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy on Reduction of Recidivism among Recently Incarcerated Homeless Women: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, doi:10.1177/0306624X18785516. PMID: 30058395.

Nyamathi, A. M., Salem, B. E., Ekstrand, M., Yadav, K., Le, Y., Oleskowicz, T., & Shin, S. S. (2018). Correlates of Treatment Readiness among Formerly Incarcerated Homeless Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45(7), 0093854818771111. doi:10.1177/0093854818771111.

Salem, B. E., Bustos, Y., Shalita, C., Kwon, J., Ramakrishnan, P., Yadav, K., Ekstrand, M.L., Sinha, S., Nyamathi, A. M. (2018). Chronic Disease Self-Management Challenges among Rural Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India: A Qualitative Study. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 17, doi:10.1177/2325958218773768.

Nyamathi, A. M., Shin, S. S., Smeltzer, J., Salem, B.E., Yadav, K., Ekstrand, M.L., Turner, S.F., Faucette, M. (2017). Achieving Drug and Alcohol Abstinence Among Recently Incarcerated Homeless Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-Case Management with a Health Promotion Program. Nursing Research, 66(6), 432-441.

Salem, B. E., Ma-Pham, J., Chen, S., Brecht, M. L., Antonio, A. L., & Ames, M. (2017). Impact of a Community-Based Frailty Intervention among Middle-Aged and Older Prefrail and Frail Homeless Women: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Community Mental Health Journal, 1-7, doi: 10.1007/s10597-017-0147-2. PMID: 28540538.

Salem, B. E., Kwon, J., & Ames, M. (2017). On the frontlines: Perspectives of providers working with homeless women. Western Journal of Nursing Research, doi: 10.1177/0193945916689081. PMID: 28322658.

Nyamathi, A. M., Salem, B. E., Hall, E., Oleskowicz, T., Ekstrand, M., Yadav, K., Toyama, J., Turner, S., Faucette, M. (2017). Violent Crime in the Lives of Homeless Female Ex-Offenders. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(2), 122-131. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2016.1253807. PMID: 28152325.

Nyamathi, A. M., Salem, B. E., Farabee, D., & Zhang, S. (2017). Differential reporting of drug use among gay, bisexual and transgender stimulant-using homeless adults post intervention. Journal of Substance Use, 22(2), 218-224.

Nyamathi, A., Reback, C. J., Shoptaw, S., Salem, B. E., Zhang, S., & Yadav, K. (2017). Impact of tailored interventions to reduce drug use and sexual risk behaviors among homeless gay and bisexual men. American Journal of Men's Health, 11(2), 208-220.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B. E., Farabee, D., Hall, E., Zhang, S., Faucette, M., Bond, D., Yadav, K. (2017). Impact of an intervention for recently released homeless offenders on self-reported re-arrest at 6 and 12 months. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2016.1147796. PMID: 26849409.

Nyamathi, A. M., Srivastava, N., Salem, B.E., Wall, S., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M., Hall, E., Turner, S.F., & Faucette, M. (2016). Female Ex-Offender Perspectives on Drug Initiation, Relapse, and Desire to Remain Drug Free. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 12(2), 81-90. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000110. PMID: 27195929 PMCID: PMC4874656.

Nyamathi, A. M., Zhang, S. X., Wall, S., Hall, E. A., Salem, B.E., Farabee, D., Faucette, M., Yadav, K. (2016). Drug use and multiple sex partners among homeless ex-offenders: Secondary findings from an experimental study. Nursing Research, 65(3), 179-190. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000150. PMID: 27124254 PMCID: PMC4856526.

Nyamathi, A. M., Zhang, S., Salem, B.E., Farabee, D., Hall, B., Marlow, E., Faucette, M., Bond, D., Yadav, K. (2016). A randomized clinical trial of tailored interventions for health promotion and recidivism reduction among homeless parolees: Outcomes and cost analysis. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 12(1), 49-74. doi: 10.1007/s11292-015-9236-9. PMID: 27217822 PMCID: PMC4874341.

Nyamathi, A., Ekstrand, M., Srivastava, N., Carpenter, C. L., Salem, B.E., Al-Harrasi, S., Ramakrishnan, P., +Sinha, S. (2016). ASHA-Life intervention perspectives voiced by rural Indian women living with AIDS. Health Care Women International, 37(4), 412-425. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2015.1066790. PMID: 26147930 PMCID: PMC4818119.

Kim, H., Woods, D. L., Phillips, L. R., Ruiz, M. E., Salem, B.E., Jeffers-Skrine, K., & Salem, N. (2015). Nursing assistants' communication styles in Korean American older adults with dementia: A review of the literature. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(2), 185-192. doi: 10.1177/1043659614547200. PMID: 25139299.

Nyamathi, A., Reback, C. J., Shoptaw, S., Salem, B.E., Zhang, S., & Yadav, K. (2015). Impact of tailored interventions to reduce drug use and sexual risk behaviors among homeless gay and bisexual men. American Journal of Men's Health. doi: 10.1177/1557988315590837. PMID: 26130725.

Salem, B. E., & Ma-Pham, J. (2015). Understanding Health Needs and Perspectives of Middle-Aged and Older Women Experiencing Homelessness. Public Health Nursing. doi: 10.1111/phn.12195. PMID: 25832775 PMCID: PMC4591077.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A.M., Reback, C., Shoptaw, S., Zhang, S., Nudelman, O. (2015). Unmet Physical and Mental Healthcare Needs among Stimulant-Using Gay and Bisexual Homeless Men. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2015.1021938. PMID: 26440871 PMCID: PMC4801108.

Nyamathi, A. M., Reback, C. J., Shoptaw, S., Salem, B. E., Zhang, S., Farabee, D., & Khalilifard, F. (2015). Impact of Community-Based Programs on Incarceration Outcomes among Gay and Bisexual Stimulant-Using Homeless Adults. Community Mental Health Journal. doi: 10.1007/s10597-014-9792-x. PMID: 25549923 PMCID: PMC4490143.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B. E., Zhang, S., Farabee, D., Hall, B., Khalilifard, F., & Leake, B. (2015). Nursing Case Management, Peer Coaching, and Hepatitis A and B Vaccine Completion among Homeless Men Recently Released on Parole: Randomized Clinical Trial. Nursing Research, 64(3), 177-189. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000083. PMID: 25932697 PMCID: PMC4418035.

Phillips, L. R., Salem, B. E., Skrine Jeffers, K., Kim, H., Ruiz, M. E., Salem, N., & Woods, D. L. (2015). Developing and Proposing the Ethno-Cultural Gerontological Nursing Model. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(2), 118-128. doi: 10.1177/1043659614563615. PMID: 25520182.

FitzGerald, L. Z., Rorie, A., Salem, B.E. (2015). Improving Secondary Prevention Screening in Clinical Encounters Using mhealth among Prelicensure Master's Entry Clinical Nursing Students. Worldviews Evidence Based Nursing, 12(2), 79-87. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12081. PMID: 25704142.

Palacios, J. F., Salem, B.E., Hodge, F. S., Albarran, C. R., Anaebere, A., & Hayes-Bautista, T. M. (2014). Storytelling: A Qualitative Tool to Promote Health among Vulnerable Populations. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. doi: 10.1177/1043659614524253. PMID: 24829264.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Marshall, L., Idemundia, F., Mata, R., Khalilifard, F., Farabee, D., Leake, B. (2014). Substance Use Trends among Younger versus Older Homeless Parolees. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 33(2), 124-133. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2014.909694. PMCID: PMC4096302.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Farabee, D., Hall, E., Zhang, S., Khalilifard, F., Faucette, M., Leake, B. (2014). Predictors of High Level of Hostility among Homeless Men on Parole. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 53(2), 95-115. doi: 10.1080/10509674.2013.868388. PMID: 25083121 PMCID: PMC4114043.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Farabee, D., Hall, E., Zhang, S., Marfisee, M., Khalilifard, F., Musto, S., Faucette, M., Leake, B. (2014). Correlates of Heroin and Methamphetamine Use among Homeless Male Ex-Jail and Prison Offenders. Addiction Research and Theory, 22(6), 463-473. doi: 10.3109/16066359.2013.877453. PMID: 25489295 PMCID: PMC4257470.

Nyamathi, A., Reback, C. J., Salem, B. E., Zhang, S., Shoptaw, S., Branson, C. M., & Leake, B. (2014). Correlates of Self-Reported Incarceration among Homeless Gay and Bisexual Stimulant-Using Young Adults. Western Journal of Nursing Research. doi: 10.1177/0193945914530521. PMID: 24733231 PMCID: PMC4197114.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A., Brecht, M. L., Phillips, L. R., Mentes, J. C., Sarkisian, C., & Stein, J. A. (2014). Constructing and Identifying Predictors of Frailty among Homeless Adults-A Latent Variable Structural Equations Model Approach. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 58(2), 248-256. PMID: 24505611 PMCID: PMC4005873.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A., Phillips, L. R., Mentes, J. C., Sarkisian, C., & Brecht, M. L. (2014). Development of a Frailty Framework among Vulnerable Populations. Advances in Nursing Science, 37(1), 70-81. doi: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000013. PMID: 24469090 PMCID: PMC4162317

Nyamathi, A., Ekstrand, M., Salem, B.E., Sinha, S., Ganguly, K. K., & Leake, B. (2013). Impact of Asha Intervention on Stigma among Rural Indian Women with AIDS. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 35(7), 867-883. doi: 10.1177/0193945913482050. PMID: 23539322 PMCID: PMC3725982.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A., Idemundia, F., Slaughter, R., & Ames, M. (2013). At a Crossroads: Reentry Challenges and Healthcare Needs among Homeless Female Ex-Offenders. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 9(1), 14-22. PMID: 24078800 PMCID: PMC3783031.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A., Keenan, C., Zhang, S., Marlow, E., Khalilifard, F., Yadav, K., Faucette, M., Leake, B., Marfisee, M. (2013). Correlates of Risky Alcohol and Methamphetamine Use among Currently Homeless Male Parolees. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 32(4), 365-376. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2013.849973. PMCID: PMC3908772.

Salem, B.E., Nyamathi, A. M., Brecht, M. L., Phillips, L. R., Mentes, J. C., Sarkisian, C., & Leake, B. (2013). Correlates of Frailty among Homeless Adults. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 35(9), 1128-1152. doi: 10.1177/0193945913487608. PMCID: PMC3759620.

Nyamathi, A., Heravian, A., Salem, B.E., Suresh, P., Sinha, S., Ganguly, K., Carpenter, C., Ramakrishnan, P., Marfisee, M., Liu, Y. (2013). Physical and Mental Health of Rural Southern Indian Women Living with AIDS. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 12(6), 391-396. doi: 10.1177/1545109712442241. PMCID: PMC3830635.

Nyamathi, A., Kennedy, B., Branson, C., Salem, B.E., Khalilifard, F., Marfisee, M., Gertzoff, D., Leake, B. (2013). Impact of Nursing Intervention on Improving HIV, Hepatitis Knowledge and Mental Health among Homeless Young Adults. Community Mental Health Journal, 49(2), 178-184. doi: 10.1007/s10597-012-9524-z. PMCID: PMC3677946.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Reback, C. J., Shoptaw, S., Branson, C. M., Idemundia, F. E., Kennedy, B., Khalilifard, F., Marfisee, M., Liu, Y. (2013). Correlates of Hepatitis B Virus and HIV Knowledge among Gay and Bisexual Homeless Young Adults in Hollywood. American Journal of Men's Health, 7(1), 18-26. doi: 10.1177/1557988312456068. PMCID: PMC3618445.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Marlow, E., Zhang, S., & Yadav, K. (2013). Understanding Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Homeless Recently Paroled Men. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 9(3), 161-170. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0b013e31827a5908. PMCID: PMC3853137.

Nyamathi, A., Branson, C., Kennedy, B., Salem, B.E., Khalilifard, F., Marfisee, M., Gertzoff, D., Leake, B. (2012). Impact of Nursing Intervention on Decreasing Substances among Homeless Youth. American Journal of Addictive Diseases, 21(6), 558-565. doi: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.00288.x. PMCID: PMC3675165.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B.E., Ernst, E. J., Keenan, C., Suresh, P., Sinha, S., Ganguly, K., Ramakrishnan, M.S., Liu, Y. (2012). Correlates of Adherence among Rural Indian Women Living with HIV/AIDS. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 11(4), 327-345. doi: 10.1080/15381501.2012.735164. PMCID: PMC3655775.

Nyamathi, A., Hanson, A. Y., Salem, B.E., Sinha, S., Ganguly, K. K., Leake, B., Yadav, K., Marfisee, M. (2012). Impact of A Rural Village Women (ASHA) Intervention on Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Southern India. Nursing Research, 61(5), 353-362. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0b013e31825fe3ef. PMCID: PMC3509934.

Nyamathi, A., Salem, B. E., Meyer, V., Ganguly, K. K., Sinha, S., & Ramakrishnan, P. (2012). Impact of an Asha Intervention on Depressive Symptoms among Rural Women Living with AIDS in India: Comparison of the Asha-Life and Usual Care Program. AIDS Education and Prevention, 24(3), 280-293. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2012.24.3.280. PMCID: PMC3677948. PMID: 22676466.

Salem, B.E., & Flaskerud, J. H. (2011). A Closer Look: The Trauma of War and Migration and PTSD. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 32(3): 184-186. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2010.516059. PMID: 21341953.