Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publications and Presentations
Work Availability
Timeline
Linda Perna, PhD

Linda Perna, PhD

Burleson,TX
"Wisdom begins in wonder"
Socrates

Summary

Experienced behavioral health researcher in evaluating programs designed to improve well-being, overall health, quality of life, and health equity for individuals in vulnerable and underserved populations. Skilled in designing research and evaluation protocols (formative, process, outcome, and impact), data collection, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and presenting actionable research findings that support evidence-based positive social change. Areas of research expertise include behavioral health, Serious Mental Illness, Street Medicine, homelessness, health outcomes, substance use, social exclusion and belonging, low-barrier Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, and SPSS multivariate analysis.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Evaluation Specialist

MHMR Of Tarrant County
07.2018 - Current
  • Leads research team in executing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods evaluation projects, including survey design, measurement selection, conducting interviews, data collection, data analysis, and disseminating findings.
  • Prepares and presents well-written evaluation and research reports, including technical reports, conference presentations, and manuscripts describing findings for diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Uses logic models to develop and implement formative, process, outcome, and impact evaluation plans for federally-funded grant projects.
  • Collaborates with clinical and community partners to identify client/population needs
  • Conducts fidelity evaluations for clinical staff
  • Participates in evaluation management activities, including leadership meetings, staff development and team building, cultivating relationships with potential community partners, literature reviews, managing time-sensitive deadlines and budgets, and assisting with writing grant proposals.
  • Use research findings to collaborate with stakeholders and clinicians to improve program intervention strategies.
  • Established new data entry processes by leveraging agency's Electronic Health Record system, reducing data entry time by 25%, and data entry error by 30%.

Behavioral Health Technician

John Peter Smith Hospital
04.2016 - 07.2018
  • Experience working within psychiatric emergency room and inpatient settings.
  • Timely and accurate documentation and monitoring of patient behavior to assess for behavioral changes, triggers, and situations indicative of intervention needs.
  • Performed client intake procedures according to internal standards for new admissions.
  • Provide feedback to clinical team to report issues that impact individuals' mental health.
  • Relate therapeutically to individuals with behavioral health concerns and identify factors that influence mental and physical health.

Education

Ph.D. - Psychology - Concentration in Social Psychology

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
02.2020
  • Dissertation: Need to Belong, Fear of Missing Out, and Social Media Use: Predictors of Perceived Social Rejection. Published in ProQuest UMI database (No. 23804)

Master of Science - Psychology - Concentration in Social Psychology

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
11.2015
  • 4.0 GPA

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
01.2013
  • summa cum laude graduate
  • Psi Chi Member and Chapter President

Skills

  • Program evaluation and research design
  • Logic models
  • Data collection
  • Federally funded grant projects
  • Longitudinal designs
  • Conducting interviews
  • Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
  • Mixed methods research
  • Multivariate statistics
  • SPSS
  • Leadership and management
  • Report writing

Publications and Presentations

  • Improving Healthcare Delivery and Outcomes for Persons Experiencing Homelessness Using a Street Medicine Model of Care.

Presented at the DFW Hospital Council Foundation's 6th Annual IQSC Data Summit (Virtual) - Data in Action Panel, January 2023


  • Perna, L.K., Patterson, C., Chairez, A.A., Lewis, J., Jordan, J., Komara, H., & Harris, H. (2022). Healthcare Outcomes for Unsheltered Persons Experiencing Homelessness using a Street Medicine Model of Care: A Pilot Program Evaluation.

Submitted for publication November 2022. Submission ID 222855618.


  • Perna, L.K., Jordan, J., Komara, H., & Lewis, J. (2022, June 3). Preliminary Outcomes for Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Treatment Using a Street Medicine Model of Care.

Presented at the JPS Research and Quality Symposium [Virtual poster presentation, 3rd place recipient].


  • Integrated Outreach Services Street Medicine Program Outcomes.

Presented at the Inaugural Texas Street Medicine Symposium. May 2022, Fort Worth, TX.

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline

Senior Evaluation Specialist - MHMR Of Tarrant County
07.2018 - Current
Behavioral Health Technician - John Peter Smith Hospital
04.2016 - 07.2018
Walden University - Ph.D., Psychology - Concentration in Social Psychology
Walden University - Master of Science, Psychology - Concentration in Social Psychology
Walden University - Bachelor of Science, Psychology

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Linda Perna, PhD