Jennifer Palmer, PhD

Assistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Jenny Palmer is a study coordinator with the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research.

Dr. Palmer’s current research assesses the implementation of an advance care planning video education program in two large U.S. nursing home systems. She is also conducting research that examines the intersection of dementia, spiritual care, and palliative care.

Dr. Palmer conducted her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Yale University, her master’s studies in Speech-Language Pathology at Boston University, and her doctoral studies in Health Services Research at Boston University.

After her clinical fellowship in a skilled nursing facility, she worked as a clinical speech-language pathologist on the Stroke Unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She then served as a Research Associate at Tufts Medical Center’s Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies. Most recently, she served as Project Director at the Bedford, MA Veterans Administration Medical Center for a study that developed observational tools to promote nursing home residents’ quality of life; these tools are now being adopted for use across the VA’s nursing homes nationally. Dr. Palmer has volunteered in leadership positions within the Gerontological Society of America’s Emerging Scholars and Professionals Organization.

Publications

  • Published 9/5/2025

    Robinson SA, Lipschitz JM, Ndiwane N, Bixler FR, Etingen B, Zocchi MS, Shimada SL, Palmer JA, Newton TJ, Shah N, Hogan TP. Same goal, different perspectives: Stakeholder views on context for connected care technology implementation in an integrated healthcare system. J Telemed Telecare. 2025 Sep 05; 1357633X251371113. PMID: 40910952.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/16/2025

    Mills L, Sepulveda ER, Miller Z, Jones J, Hernandez G, Ly SM, Canfield J, Flanigan T, Goulet P, Joseph R, Hurstak E, Palmer JA, Sanchez M, So-Armah K, Fitzpatrick AM. Social Determinants of Health and Linkage to HIV Care Among Groups at High Risk for Not Linking to HIV Care. Res Sq. 2025 May 16. PMID: 40470238.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/18/2025

    Fitzpatrick AM, Ly SM, Canfield J, So-Armah K, Palmer JA, Hurstak EE. Experiences of Trainees From Underrepresented Groups Within Addiction Medicine Training Programs: A Qualitative Study. Subst Use Addctn J. 2025 Jul; 46(3):612-623. PMID: 40249028.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/4/2025

    Palmer JC, Davies AL, Spiga F, Heitmann BL, Jago R, Summerbell CD, Higgins JPT. Do the effects of interventions aimed at the prevention of childhood obesity reduce inequities? A re-analysis of randomized trial data from two Cochrane reviews. EClinicalMedicine. 2025 Mar; 81:103130. PMID: 40115176.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/8/2024

    Palmer JA, Engle RL, Hyde J, Petrakis BA, McInnes DK. Addressing spiritual needs of Veterans post-incarceration: a needs assessment. J Health Care Chaplain. 2025; 31(2):97-110. PMID: 39517119.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 48 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Websites

Education

  • Boston University School of Public Health, PhD
  • Boston University, MS
  • Yale University, BA

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