Nurse Scientist • Mental Health Expert • SpeakerAdvancing mental health care & clinician wellbeing
As a nationally recognized Double Ivy League-trained nurse scientist, Dr. Justinna Dixon connects high-level health policy issues with what is actually happening at healthcare’s frontlines. From empowering mental health patients and providers to advocating for socially vulnerable groups at scale, her work brings science, heart, and fresh perspective to improving healthcare.
“Dr. Justinna Dixon is an emerging influence as a nurse scientist, health policy expert, and transformative force in behavioral healthcare.”
Rutgers University School of Nursing (2025 Rising Star Alumna Award)
A modern authority in healthcare innovation
Justinna Dixon, PhD, RN is a registered nurse who, after being the first in her family to graduate from college, earned her PhD in nursing research from Columbia University at age 28. She is a psychiatric mental health clinical expert and health policy researcher who brings elite academic training and direct clinical experience to the forefront of modern healthcare. Less than 1% of nurses hold a research doctorate, and Dr. Dixon leverages her clinical and research expertise to advise on psychiatric care delivery, mental health policy, and clinician well-being.
Her work centers on reforming mental healthcare systems, supporting the healthcare workforce, and empowering vulnerable populations. With over 10 peer-reviewed publications, 16 national presentations, and 16 awards/ other recognitions, Justinna bridges academic research with strategy for varied media formats and large-scale policy discussions.
PERSONAl highlights:Double Ivy League-trained quantitative researcher with over 10 years of Health Services research experience
Frontline bedside clinical mental health nurse caring for highly vulnerable patient populations
First-Generation Low-Income College Student; can speak to social influences on health on a personal level
Selected Features & Awards
Where clinical + research + lived experience translate to expert-level leadership
By connecting elite research training with bedside nursing and lived personal experience, Justinna works to fix broken mental health systems, protect our healthcare providers, and drive positive change for vulnerable communities.
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Mental Health Systems
Dr. Dixon aims to find practical solutions to improve how both patients and providers engage with the mental health care system. Her clinical and research experiences within the system allow her to eloquently describe how large-scale policy changes affect people on the front lines of mental healthcare. With a well-informed perspective, she aims to improve healthcare system design to make mental healthcare that are more effective, equal, and accessible for all.
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Clinician Wellbeing
Burnout and turnover among Nurses are critical challenges across healthcare systems globally. Drawing from her time as a bedside mental health nurse, Justinna studies ways to address the root causes of high nurse burnout, moral distress, and poor job retention across health systems. She works directly with executives to build workplace cultures and support systems where clinicians can genuinely thrive instead of just survive.
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A Uniquely Informed Perspective
As a first-generation American and college graduate raised in a low-income household, Justinna understands how individuals’ social realities such as education and access to resources shape health and opportunity. Her education and training in nursing and at elite institutions give her the tools to connect these lived experiences with evidence and communicate clearly to stakeholders in healthcare and broader audiences.
“I am often not surprised by the results of my research studies… because often I have personally seen the analyzed outcomes way before there is any data collected."
Dr. Justinna Dixon
Get in touch with Justinna
Whether you are looking to bring Dr. Dixon’s fresh perspective to your event or organization, or would like to seek her thoughts on mental healthcare research & policy, the conversation starts here. Simply fill out the form below or email Justinna directly at justinna@justinnadixon.com.
Frequently asked questions
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Dr. Justinna Dixon offers keynote speaking, advising, and evidence- based insights centered on clinician well-being, mental health care system innovation, and social determinants of health.
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Dr. Justinna Dixon brings together lived experience as a first-generation college student from a low-income Jamaican American family as well as her frontline psychiatric nursing experience, and advanced research and policy training at elite academic institutions. This combination allows her to connect the everyday realities of patients and nurses with the evidence healthcare leaders need to improve care, particularly where mental health, social inequities, and workforce challenges intersect.
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Reaching out 2 to 4 months in advance of an event is ideal to ensure calendar availability for keynotes, panel moderation, or workshop facilitation.
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Submit event details or project inquiries through the contact form at the bottom of this page, and Justinna will follow up directly.
