Focus
Community-based research partnerships, behavioral health, mixed-methods designs, qualitative research
Biography
Sofia Fernandez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida with a doctorate in social welfare. Her research is focused on improving HIV, mental health, and substance use care delivery through community-engaged and mixed-method approaches that involve priority populations in the research process. Fernandez has a strong background and training in examining contextual factors that impact health and well-being including cultural, social, economic, and community influences on health. Fernandez’s current work involves developing and adapting health interventions to improve mental health outcomes utilizing transdiagnostic approaches. In her previous roles, she has served as Program Evaluator for Florida Department of Health’s grant initiatives, and she has served as a street outreach advocate for two social service agencies in Florida that serve families experiencing homelessness with immediate and respite services. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work.
Lab
Community-Based Research Institute
Education
- Florida International University, PhD Social Welfare 2017
- Florida State University, Masters in Social Work 2014
- Florida State University, Bachelors in Social Work 2013
Publications
Fernandez, S.B., Ahmad, A., Beach, M.C, Ward, M.K., Jean-Gilles, M., Ibañez, G., Ladner, R., Trepka, MJ. (2024). How patients experience respect in healthcare: findings from a qualitative study among multicultural women living with HIV. BMC Med Ethics;25(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12910-024-01015-1. PMID: 38539213; PMCID: PMC10967177
Fernandez, S.B., Dawit, R., Nawfal, E.S., Ward, M.K., Ramírez-Ortiz, D., Sheehan, D.M., Trepka, MJ. (2024). Psychosocial and socioeconomic changes among low-income people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic in Miami-Dade County, Florida: racial/ethnic and gender differences. HIV Res Clin Practice; 25(1):2363129. doi: 10.1080/25787489.2024.2363129. PMID: 38907537; PMCID: PMC11256985
Fernandez, S.B., Lopez, C., Ibarra, C., Sheehan, D., Ladner, R., & Trepka, MJ. (2022). Examining Barriers to Medication Adherence and Retention in Care among Women Living with HIV in the Face of Homelessness and Unstable Housing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(18):11484. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811484