Alesia O Jones, PhD
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Rockford
Associate Professor and Director of Behavioral Medicine
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Contact
Address:
1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107
Email:
About
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford appointed Alesia Jones, PhD, as assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in March 2021. She is also an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and serves as the director of behavioral science for the Family Medicine Residency.
A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Jones provides behavioral health services at the UI Health Mile Square Health Center – L.P. Johnson Rockford. She provides evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders and specializes in the treatment of PTSD and depression among victims of crime and other stressful life events. She also facilitates the behavioral science curriculum for the family medicine residency program which includes education on mental disorders, cultural awareness training, patient-doctor communication and relationship building.
In her role as assistant dean, Dr. Jones works with the associate dean for diversity and inclusion in Chicago to design and implement initiatives and programs focused on diversity and inclusion for the Rockford campus. She serves as an advisor to the regional dean, Dr. Stagnaro-Green, campus and residency leadership to develop strategies to recruit and retain diverse faculty and trainees, develop curriculum that incorporate cultural competency and anti-racism efforts, and establish diversity and inclusion as a core and essential component of the campus and university.
“The increasing diversity in our society requires a workforce that is able to meet the needs of our community in a culturally proficient and inclusive way,” says Dr. Jones. “My goal is to advocate, support and foster a commitment to diversity and inclusion through the development of programs and initiatives that will advance our curriculum, departments, and campus. This will ultimately meet the needs of the communities we serve and improve the quality of the educational and social experiences of our students, staff and faculty.”
Dr. Jones is co-chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for Diversity and Inclusion that is charged with evaluating the present culture of UICOMR as it relates to racism, bias and discrimination and present recommendations and strategies to accomplish diversity, equity, and inclusion.
An accomplished researcher, Dr. Jones has published and presented research focused on the relationship between trauma (e.g., interpersonal, racial, homicide survivorship) and subsequent psychological, emotional and behavioral consequences of trauma exposure. Her research also includes examination of healthcare delivery to trauma-exposed individuals and improving the identification and response within the context of primary care.
Dr. Jones has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her research, clinical work and teaching including the UICOMR Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award, the Robert Magwood, Jr Award for Outstanding Service to Crime Victims and 2011 Rockford YWCA Women of Achievement, Professions Award. She has been awarded grants and scholarships from from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, University of Illinois, and the Medical University of South Carolina to study the relationship between violence exposure and mental health sequelae. She is also interested in improving healthcare delivery to violence exposed populations. She has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to trauma and present on violence exposure and mental health at national and local conferences.
Prior to joining the UICOMR in 2009, Dr. Jones completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina focused on the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress among the civilian population.
Areas of Interest
- Identification of family and interpersonal violence in primary care
- Mental health disparities among ethnic/racial minorities and impoverished communities
- Community violence and homicide survivorship
- Violence prevention research
- Workshops and presentations on adolescent and adult violence exposure
Selected Publications
Fleischman, M., & Jones, A. (2018). The impact of practice changes in a family medicine residency clinic on provider and staff engagement and perception of job
Philipp, A. T., Jones, A. H., Zeitz, H., & Yusin, J. S. (2016). Adolescent asthmatics’ use of the internet and other management strategies. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 137(2), AB99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2015.12.449
Education
PhD, Clinical Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 2007
Medical College of Georgia/VAMC Residency Consortium Predoctoral internship
Postdoctoral fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center