12/16/2005
CURRICULUM VITAE
WHITNEY P. WITT, PhD, MPH
PERSONAL DATA
400 East Ohio Street
Unit 701
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 587-7990
Northwestern University,
Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Medicine
Division of General Internal Medicine
The Buehler Center on Aging
750 North Lake Shore Drive, Suite 601
Chicago, IL 60611-2611
312-503-6842 phone
312-503-5868 fax
w-witt@northwestern.edu
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Post-Doctoral Fellowship,
July 2001-June 2003
Harvard University, School of Medicine
Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship
Program
MassGeneral Hospital for Children
MGH Center for Child and Adolescent Health
Policy
Doctor of Philosophy, May 2001
Johns Hopkins University
School of Hygiene and Public Health,
Department of Health Policy and Management
Faculty of Health Services Research
 Concentration in outcomes and quality
Master of Public Health, May 1997
Johns Hopkins University
School of Hygiene and Public Health,
Department of Health Policy and Management
 Concentration in AIDS policy reformation and
women’s health
Bachelor of Arts, May 1993
Hampshire College
School of Social Sciences
 Concentration in women's studies and law
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
October 2005-present
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
School of Education and Social Policy
Assistant Professor of Education and Social Policy
(courtesy appointment)
Chicago, IL
June 2005-present
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Feinberg School of Medicine, Buehler Center on Aging
Acting Director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Section
Chicago, IL
March 2005-present
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO
School of Pharmacy
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration
Chicago, IL
September 2003-present
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Chicago, IL
August 2003
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine
Senior Lecturer
Chicago, IL
October 2001-August 2003
The MEDSTAT Group, Inc.
Project Manager/Epidemiologist
Cambridge, MA
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Served as the project director for a retrospective study examining the impact of
benefit plan design on prescription drug and healthcare utilization among asthmatics.
Led a study to determine the influence of an asthmatic family member on the family’s
health care use and expenditures and if the presence of an asthmatic family member
affects the health care use and expenditures of family members without asthma.
Managed and constructed a simulation study to determine the cost-savings
associated with administering genotypic testing to asthmatics who had a complex
treatment regimen and were considered unresponsive to treatment.
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July 1999-June 2001
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management
Research Assistant for Drs. Starfield and Riley
Baltimore, MD
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Assisted in the administration of the Child Health and Social Class Study.
Conducted data analysis on the correlation between a devised income gradient and
child/adolescent health status
Assisted in preparing for a conference examining the association of socioeconomic
level and health status
July 1999-December 1999
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management
Research Assistant for Dr. Alan Lyles and the Health Services Research and
Development Center
Baltimore, MD
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Conducted a literature review on variations in prescription utilization patterns
Complied existing quantitative information on the use and expenses related to
prescription medications
September 1996 to August 1998
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA),
HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB),
Office of Science and Epidemiology,
Epidemiology and Data Analysis Branch
Senior Research Associate
Rockville, MD
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Duties
 Conducted quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation studies of Bureau
and Agency programs; including the analysis of legal advocacy projects funded by
the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program, the examination of
research Medicaid managed care for people with HIV/AIDS, and the assessment of
the annual cost of HIV-related care
 Specific Projects
 Conducted Bureau-wide assessment of the efficacy of the Ryan White CARE
Act in response to the epidemiological, pharmaceutical, and health care infrastructure
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changes within the epidemic
 Drafted oral and written testimony on HRSA HIV/AIDS programs for women to
be presented at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on
Women’s Health’s Public Hearing and Workshop entitled Beyond Hunt Valley:
Revising the Research Agenda on Women’s Health (November 17-19, 1997)
 Administered a study examining the social, medical, and financial characteristics
of people with AIDS during their last year of life; conducted the literature review,
analyzed data, and interpreted findings; this study utilized data, collected by the
National Center for Health Statistics, from The 1993 National Mortality Followback
Survey, a 1% stratified national probability sample of adults who died in 1993
 Assisted in finalizing a report entitled HIV and the Deaf Population in the United
States, a SPNS Program-funded study that assesses the language, cultural and other
barriers that have impeded the dissemination of information about HIV disease,
access to HIV-related health services, and the receipt of adequate treatment for HIVrelated conditions among the Deaf community
 Conducted the data collection, analyses, interpretation, and presentation of the
Title III Trends in HIV Care Pilot Study, a study designed to determine the effect of
protease inhibitor therapy on patterns of medical service utilization at Ryan White
CARE Act Title III-funded clinics
 Assisted in drafting a report entitled HIV/AIDS Work Group Report on the Ryan
White CARE Act Title I Strategies for Underserved African Americans: Methods,
Analysis and Interpretations of Four Cities, a HRSA-funded study that examined
strategies to increase access to HIV/AIDS-related medical and support services
among African-Americans
June-August 1996
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management
Research Assistant for Dr. Albert Wu, MD, MPH
Baltimore, MD
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Assisted Dr. Wu in conducting research on quality of life outcome measures for
people living with HIV/AIDS
Compiled research instruments that could be compared to the Medical Outcomes
Study (MOS)-HIV survey
Assisted in preparing for a conference on quality of life outcome measures
April-June 1996
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management
Research Assistant for the Gun Policy Center
Baltimore, MD
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Provided the Gun Policy Center with a historical summarization of the regulation of
tobacco in the U.S.
Conducted legislative research on relevant gun policy issues
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August 1995- January 1996
GREATER BALTIMORE HIV HEALTH SERVICES PLANNING COUNCIL
Student Intern
Baltimore, MD
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Interviewed people living with AIDS in Baltimore for a needs assessment study of the
Ryan White CARE Act
Conducted data analysis and drafted a summary report for the Ryan White Needs
Assessment Pilot Study
April 1994-June 1995
GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS, (GMHC) Inc.
Legal Advocate
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New York, NY
Advocated with city, state and federal social service agencies, financial institutions,
court, opposing counsel and other legal services, on behalf of clients
Analyzed financial and legal status of clients to determine eligibility for entitlement
programs
Conducted intake and screening of new legal clients by gathering and researching
facts and presenting information to attorneys
Answered questions, provided basic legal information and gave referrals to clients
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PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Summer 2005-present
Spring 2005-present
Buehler Center on Aging, Development Subcommittee, Member
Cells to Society: The Center on Social Disparities and Health at the
Institute for Policy Research, Executive Board Member
January 2005-present
Institute for Policy Research, Faculty Associate
November 2004-present Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Member
October 2004-present
The Buehler Center on Aging, Affiliate
Spring 2002-2003
The Society of Pediatric Psychology, Member
Fall 2001-present
Ambulatory Pediatric Association, Member
Fall 1997-Fall 1998
U.S. DHHS, Health Resources and Services Administration Women’s
Health Research Committee, Member
Fall 1997-Fall 1998
U.S. DHHS, Public Health Service, Office on Women’s Health
Spring 1997-present
AcademyHealth, Member
Spring 1997-1998
Maryland Public Health Association, Member
Fall 1996
Expert Planning Committee on Medicaid Managed Care and Women
with HIV/AIDS, Member
Fall 1996-present
American Public Health Association, Member
Fall 1995-Spring 1996 AIDS Legislative Committee, Steering Committee Member
Fall 1994-Spring 1995 Deaf AIDS Project, Legal Representative
Fall 1994-Spring 1995 GMHC Women's Caucus, Member
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
Peer Review Activities
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Served as a Member of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Selection
Committee to review applications for the 1998 World Health Organization (WHO) Travel
Fellowships, funding provided to U.S. health care professionals to pursue various health
projects and studies.
Served as a peer reviewer for Ambulatory Pediatrics
Served as a peer reviewer for Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Served as a peer reviewer for Archives of General Psychiatry
Served as a peer reviewer for Health Services Research
Served as a peer reviewer for Archives of Internal Medicine
Served as a Member of the 2005 Psychosocial and Behavioral Research Task Force at the
Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society to review grant applications in behavior
related to cancer control, cost analyses and health care delivery, or education and communication.
HONORS AND AWARDS
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Awarded the HPM Faculty of Health Services Research Student Conference Presentation
Award, 1998-1999 and 2000-2001
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Awarded the National Research Service Award (NRSA), from the Agency for Health Care
Policy and Research Training Fellowship Program
Legal Department Representative for the Deaf AIDS Project Agency Forum (appointed), Gay
Men's Health Crisis, Inc.
Legal Department Representative to testify before the Council of the City of New York
(appointed), Gay Men's Health Crisis, Inc.
PUBLICATIONS
Hines R, Decker CL, Witt WP, Marconi K, Singer B. Demand for and use of advocacy services
for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Four Special Projects of National Significance HIV
Advocacy Projects. AIDS Public Policy J. 1997; 12(2): 89-101.
Niemcryk, SJ, Witt, WP, Klouj, A. Characteristics of Patients Dying from AIDS: Results from
the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey. Annals of Epidemiology. 1998; 8(2): p. 130.
Witt, WP. HIV/AIDS in Deaf Communities. AIDSLINK (published by the National Council for
International Health). 1996; January/February.
Wu, AW and Witt, WP. The impact of HIV infection on health-related quality of life. In:
Badia, X and Podzamczer, D, eds. Calidad de vida asociada a la salud e infeccion por el VIH.
Madrid, Spain; 2000.
Starfield, B, Riley AW, Witt, WP, Robertson, J. Social Class Gradients in Health During
Adolescence. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2002; 56: 354-361.
Witt, WP, Riley, AW, Coiro, MJ. Childhood Functional Status, Family Stressors, and
Psychosocial Adjustment Among School-Aged Children with Disabilities in the U.S. Archives of
Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine. 2003; 157 (7): 687-695.
Witt, WP, Riley, AW, Kasper, JD. The Impact of Missing Linkage Data in Family Health
Research: Results from the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement.
In: Altman, B.M., Barnartt, S.N., Hendershot, G. and Larson, S., eds. Research in Social Science
and Disability, Using Survey Data to Study Disability: Results from the National Health
Interview Survey on Disability. Elsevier Publishing, London, England; 2003; Volume 3, 73-86.
Witt, WP, Kasper, JD, and Riley, AW. Mental Health Services Use Among School-Aged
Children with Disabilities: The Role of Socio-demographics, Functional Limitations, Family
Burdens and Care Coordination. Health Services Research. 2003; 38(6), Part 1: 1441-1466.
Crown, WH, Berndt, ER, Baser, O, Finkelstein, SN, Witt, WP, Maguire J, and Haver, KE.
Benefit Plan Design and Prescription Drug Utilization Among Asthmatics: Do Patient Copayments Matter? Frontiers in Health Policy Research. 2004. Volume 7, 95-127.
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Pickard, AS, Hung, S, McKoy, JM, Witt, WP, Arseven, A, Sharifi, R, Wu, Z, Knight, S,
McWilliams, N, Utukari, S, Schumock, GT, and Bennett, CL. Opportunities for Disease State
Management in Prostate Cancer. Disease Management. 2005. 8 (4): 235-244.
Feinglass, J, Thompson, JA, He, XZ, Witt, WP, Chang, RW, Baker, DW. The Effect of Physical
Activity on Functional Status and Arthritis Symptoms among Older Middle Aged Adults.
Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2005. December 53(6):879-85.
Lyons, J and Witt, W. Understanding the impact of mental health research on policy in the
United States: Past, Present, and Future. In Choosing methods in mental health research. Slade
M, Priebe S, (eds), Hove: Routledge. (In press) 2005.
Baker, DW, Sudano, JJ, Durazo-Arvizu, R, Feinglass, J, Witt, WP, and Thompson, JA. Health
Insurance Coverage and the Risk of Decline in Overall Health and Death among the Near
Elderly, 1992-2002. (In press) 2005.
Witt, WP, Gibbs, J, Wang, J, Giobbie-Hurder, A, Edelman, P, McCarthy, Jr., M, and Neumayer,
L. The Impact of Inguinal Hernia Repair on Family and Other Informal Caregivers. (In press)
2005.
Revise and Resubmit
Witt, WP, Fortuna, L, Wu, E, Kahn, R, Winickoff, J, Kuhlthau, K, Pirraglia, PA, and Ferris, TG.
Children’s Use of Motor Vehicle Restraints: the Role of Maternal Psychological Distress,
Maternal Seat-belt Practices, and Child Age. 2005.
Submitted for Publication
Wolf, MS, Knight, SJ, Durazo-Arvizu, R, Pickard, S, Lyons, EA, Arseven, A, Arozullah, A,
Colella, K, McGartland L, Witt, WP, and Bennett CL. Relation between literacy, race, and PSA
level among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. 2005.
Baker, DW, Feinglass, J, Durazo-Arvizu, R, Witt, WP, Sudano, JJ, Thompson, JA. Changes in
Health for the Uninsured After Reaching Age-Eligibility for Medicare. 2005.
Stallings, S, Finkelstein, SN, Crown, WH, Witt, WP, Sinskey, A. An Economic Framework for
Evaluating Personalized Medicine. 2005.
In Progress/Preparation
Witt, WP, Kahn, R, Fortuna, L, Winickoff, J, Kuhlthau, K, Pirraglia, PA, and Ferris, TG.
Psychological Distress and Timely Use of Routine Care: The Importance of Having Health
Insurance and a Usual Source of Care among Women with Children. 2005.
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Witt, WP, Crown, WH, Maguire, J, Berndt, ER, Finkelstein, SN. Asthma in the Family:
Determining Family-Level Medical Services Use and Healthcare Expenditures. 2005.
Fortuna, LR, Witt, WP, Beal, A, Perrin, JM. Parental Report of Childhood Attention Deficit
Disorder (ADD) and Behavior Problems: Variation by Hispanic Ethnicity and Language
Dominance. 2004.
Witt, WP, Lee, TA, Xu, J, Baker, D, and Weiss, KB. The Mental Health Impact of Living With
A Spouse With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2005.
Witt, WP, Weiss, KB, Shannon, JJ. The Role of Family Burden in Pediatric Asthma Outcomes.
2004-5.
Witt, WP, Lee, TA, Weiss, KB, Shannon, JJ. The Influence of Social Support and Family Stress
on the Quality of Life, Healthcare Use, and Costs of Veterans with COPD. 2004-5.
Government Reports
Riley, AW, Broitman, M, Owens, P, Witt, WP. Domains and Models for the Measurement of
Functioning in Children and Adolescents: An Outline. Report to the National Institute of
Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, DHHS. Completed under Contract 263-MD102598, (September 25, 2002).
Thesis
Witt, W.P. Family Stressors, Psychosocial Functioning, and Mental Health Care Utilization
among Disabled Children: Results from the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey,
Disability Supplement [dissertation]. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2001.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
WHITNEY PERKINS WITT, Ph.D., M.P.H.
PART II
TEACHING
Classroom Instruction
Spanish
Teacher at the Hampshire Teaching Collaborative
Kafka, A Reading and Discussion Seminar
Teacher's Assistant for the Hampshire College course
Freedom of Expression
Teacher's Assistant for the Hampshire College course
Supreme Court/Supreme Law
Teacher's Assistant for the Hampshire College course
Introduction to Health Services Research and Evaluation
Teacher's Assistant for the Johns Hopkins University,
School of Hygiene and Public Health course
Finding and Using Public Health Data,
Guest Lecturer for the Boston University School of Public Health
Impact of Chronic Illness on the Family: Theoretical Underpinnings
Independent study for Clarissa Liebler
Co-mentor with Emma K. Adam, PhD
Developmental Disabilities and Chronic Illness Through the Life Cycle
Guest Lecturer
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Training and Education
Seminar Participant, March 2000
Teaching Well, Saving Time
Center for Training and Education
Johns Hopkins University
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Workshop Participant, June 2004
Mixed Models for Longitudinal Data: An Applied Introduction
American Statistical Association, Northeastern Illinois Chapter
20th Annual Summer Workshop (Taught by Dr. Don Hedeker)
Workshop Participant, June 9th and 10th, 2005
3rd annual Chicago Workshop on Biomarker Collection in
Population-Based Health and Aging Research
Sponsored by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University
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RESEARCH GRANT PARTICIPATION
ACTIVE
Biological and Self-Reported Measures of
10/1/04-12/31/05
Psychological Stress among Informal Caregivers of
Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Study
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
Principal Investigator
5% (in-kind)
$19,671
A paucity of information exists about the impact of prostate cancer on the families of patients.
All existing studies rely solely on self/proxy reports about the impact of prostate cancer on the
family and have yet to include physiological measures of caregiver stress. The physiological
response to such stressors, and the relationship to perceived stress, has not been examined
adequately among caregivers of patients with prostate cancer and such research might further
help to understand the increased risk for and development of physical and mental health
problems in these families. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility,
performance, and comparability of stress biomarkers in caregivers of patients with prostate
cancer as compared to caregiver-reported survey measures of psychological stress and how such
measures are related to patient health outcomes.
1 K01 HD049533-01
06/01/05-05/31/10
Interactions between Childhood Illness
and the Family
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Principal Investigator
75%
$534,154
This proposed NICHD K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will provide the
necessary support to facilitate a successful transition from a junior to independent investigator in
the field of child and family population health research. My long-term goal is to develop an
interdisciplinary research program dedicated to improving the health and mental health of
children with chronic conditions and their families through better understanding how childhood
chronic illness affects family members over time. This goal will be achieved through a 5-year
program of didactic training and mentored research with two objectives: 1) to acquire new skills
in behavioral biology, econometric and sociological research, and child and family demography
and 2) to develop a framework of preliminary results to support an independent research
proposal at the end of the award.
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Breast Cancer and the Effect on the Family
Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation
Principal Investigator
09/01/05-08/31/06
10%
$50,000
This exploratory and hypotheses-generating study will examine the perceived experience and
impact of breast cancer among family caregivers of breast cancer survivors. Using a grounded
theory technique, our research will employ a qualitative approach to generate hypotheses about
the experience of stress and social support among family caregivers of breast cancer survivors (at
early and late stages). The use of grounded theory will involve refining the research questions as
the study progresses to pursue potential avenues of inquiry. This exploratory and hypothesesgenerating study will consist of two phases. First, Phase 1 will involve 2-3 semi-structured focus
group sessions probing participants to discuss a) their experiences in caring for a person with
breast cancer and the impact on the family; b) their experiences of stress and coping across the
trajectory of the disease; and c) if and to what extent they access and use social support and how
the level of support affects caregivers. Based upon findings from these focus groups, a refined
interview schedule will be developed to explore these issues. These questions will inform Phase
2, which will consist of in-depth one-on-one interviews with 15-20 caregivers of people living
with breast cancer. Through this process, the research team will codify an inventory of the
sources of stress resulting from the BC caregiver experience and the forms and functions of
social support in alleviating these stressors. The finalized themes and categories will be
compiled, organized, and written up for publication.
PENDING
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Psychobiology of Caregiving among
Family Caregivers of Survivors of Breast Cancer:
A Pilot Study
Principal Investigator
05/01/06-04/31/08
10%
$186,416
A paucity of information exists on the physiological and psychological impact of breast cancer
on the families of patients. Among those that do exist, nearly all studies rely on self or proxy
caregiver reports and very few include physiological measures of caregiver stress. The
physiological response to such stressors, and the relationship to perceived stress, has not been
examined adequately among family caregivers of patients with breast cancer. Such research
might further our understanding of the increased risk for and development of physical and mental
health problems in these families. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility,
performance, and comparability of stress biomarkers and perceived psychological stress among
family caregivers of patients with breast cancer. In addition this study seeks to understand how
such measures are related to breast cancer patient health-related quality of life. Moreover, this
study will also determine if sociodemographic differences in the health-related quality of life of
patients with breast cancer can be explained in part by differences in caregiver burden. This
pilot study is an initial effort to support a long-term goal of understanding caregiver stress and its
impact on breast cancer patient outcomes.
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The G&P Foundation for Cancer Research
Self-Reported Stress and Cellular Aging
among Parents of Children with Leukemia
Principal Investigator
01/01/06-12/31/09
10%
$225,000
The aim of this study is to compare measures of cellular aging biomarkers and perceived
psychological stress among parental caregivers of children with leukemia. In addition this study
seeks to understand how such measures are related to leukemia patient health-related quality of
life. Moreover, this study will determine if sociodemographic differences in the health-related
quality of life of children with leukemia can be explained in part by differences in caregiver
aging and burden. This study is an initial effort to support a long-term goal of understanding
caregiver aging and stress and its impact on pediatric leukemia outcomes.
PRIOR
NIH/NHLBI
Chicago Initiative to Raise Asthma Health Equity
Investigator/Trainee
09/30/03-04/01/05
10%
$2,164,214
The purpose of this project is to develop a collaborative research program between Northwestern
University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Cook County Hospital to fully characterize the
relationship of social stress, coping, and self-regulatory health behaviors in the context of asthma
disparities among African American and low income populations.
The Role of Family Burden and Social Support
Among Families of Persons Living with Asthma
Or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Parker Francis Fellowship Program
Principal Investigator
07/01/04-04/01/05
30%
$119,879
The goal of this research plan was to understand the impact of family burden and social support
on the health and healthcare use of individuals with chronic pulmonary disease (COPD or
asthma) and their caregivers. In three separate studies, this research plan uses secondary and
primary data to address the impact of these diseases on caregivers and the role of social support
on the quality of life, health status, and healthcare use and costs of affected individuals. The
impact of this research will be to better design interventions to reduce the impact of these chronic
health conditions on patients and their families.
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Proposal Number: 206 (W.P. Witt)
07/01/02-06/30/03
Treatment of Maternal Depression and the
Impact on Children’s Use of and Expenditures for Healthcare
Ambulatory Pediatric Association Young Investigators Grant Program
Principal Investigator
20%
$10,000
This study examines associations among maternal depression, children’s health status, and
children’s use of and expenditures for pediatric care. Maternal depression results in adverse
health and mental health outcomes among children and is hypothesized to be associated with
children’s increased use of and payments for healthcare. Primary health and mental healthcare
systems have the potential to meet the psychosocial needs of family members and may reduce
children’s over-utilization of healthcare. Therefore, this study will also look at the mothers’
receipt of mental healthcare and how such services impact children’s use of general health
services.
1 RO3 HS11254-01 (W.P. Witt)
9/01/00-6/30/01
Family Influences on Children's Health and Healthcare
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Principal Investigator
100%
$31,804
This study explores the relationship of two major family stressors, childhood disability and
maternal depression, on 1) the health, behavioral health, and functioning among children and
youth; 2) the utilization of health and mental health care among children and youth; and 3) the
influence of maternal mental health treatment, respite care, and child care services on child
health status.
Order for Supplies/Services (A.W. Riley)
Domains and Models for the Measurement
of Functioning in Children and Adolescents
National Institute for Mental Health
Co-Investigator
9/01/00-2/28/01
10%
$27,000
The purpose of this contract was to summarize, in an outline format, the central domains of
functioning in children and adolescents, and current perspectives and knowledge about these
domains of functioning. This outline provided a basis for additional development of this field
and was designed to be generative in three ways: 1) to further the conceptualization and study of
functioning as it relates to the development of mental health and disorder and, 2) to support the
development of a new generation of measures and assessments of functional status to
characterize the development, persistence, and status of mental health and of psychopathology,
and 3) to inform the functionally relevant treatment of psychiatric disorders in young people.
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ACADEMIC SERVICE
Division
Co-Founded the Health Services Research Methods Workgroup
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Department
Student Coordinating Committee Co-Chair, 2000-2001
Department of Health Policy and Management
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health
School
Steering Committee Member, 2003-present
Northwestern Medical Women Faculty Organization (WFO)
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Secretary (elected), 1999-2000
The Johns Hopkins University Toastmaster's Club
Student Health Committee Member, 1999-2000
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health
Vice-President of Social and Cultural Affairs (elected), 1995-1996
Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health
Student Member (elected), 1992-1993
School of Social Science at Hampshire College
University
Hampshire Alumni Associate, 1995-2001
Hampshire College
PRESENTATIONS
Conviser, R, Gates, JD, and Witt, WP, “The Role of Physician Experience and Training in
Providing Access to Protease Inhibitors,” poster presentation at the Association for Health
Services Research Annual Meeting (June 15-17, 1997).
Conviser, R, Amaya, M, Harris, J, Witt, WP, and Gates, JD, “The Role of Physician Experience
and Training in Providing Access to Protease Inhibitors,” verbal presentation at the 125th Annual
Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November 9-13, 1997).
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Niemcryk, SJ and Witt, WP, “Access to Care among the Most Critically Ill Patients with HIV:
Results from the National Mortality Followback Survey,” poster presentation at the Association
for Health Services Research Annual Meeting (June 21-23, 1998).
Niemcryk, SJ and Witt, WP, “Characteristics of Patients Dying from AIDS: Results from the
1993 National Mortality Followback Survey,” poster presentation at the 126th Annual Meeting
of the American Public Health Association (November 15-19, 1998).
Witt, WP, Marconi, K, and Singer, B, “Policy, Program, and Service Implications of StateInitiated Medicaid Managed Care: Issues Surrounding Access, Quality, and Cost of Care Among
Women with HIV/AIDS,” verbal presentation at the Conference on the Future of Managed Care
and Women’s Health: New Directions for the 21st Century, sponsored by the U.S. Public Health
Service’s Office on Women’s Health (January 27, 1998).
Witt, WP, discussant on the panel entitled “HIV Care in Urban Settings,” verbal presentation at
the 125th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November 9-13, 1997).
Witt, WP et al, “Protease Inhibitors and Medical Service Utilization in Patients with HIV,”
verbal presentation at the 125th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association
(November 9-13, 1997).
Witt, WP et al, “Protease Inhibitors and Medical Service Utilization in Patients with HIV,”
poster presentation at the Association for Health Services Research Annual Meeting (June 15-17,
1997).
Witt, WP and Niemcryk, SJ, “Functional Status and Access to Care Among the Most Critically
Ill Patients with HIV: Results from the National Mortality Followback Survey,” verbal
presentation at the 126th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November
15-19, 1998).
Witt, WP and Riley, AW, “Social/Role Functioning and Mental Health Care Utilization Among
Disabled Children of Depressed Mothers: Results from the 1994 National Health Interview
Survey on Disability,” poster presentation at the Association for Health Services Research
Annual Meeting (June 25-27, 2000).
Witt, WP, Riley, AW, and Coiro, MJ, “Maternal Depression, Childhood Disability, and Health
and Mental Health Care Utilization: Estimates from 1994 National Health Interview Survey on
Disability,” verbal presentation at the Conference on the Analysis of the 1994-1995 National
Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D)(June 11-13, 2000).
Witt, WP, Riley, AW, and Coiro, MJ, “Family Influences on Children's Health and Health Care:
Estimates from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey on Disability” poster presentation at
The 2000 NRSA Trainees' Research Conference (June 24, 2000).
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Witt, WP, Riley, AW, and Coiro, MJ, “Dual Burden of Maternal Depression and Childhood
Disability: Estimates from the 1994 National Health Interview on Disability” poster presentation
at 128th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November 12-16, 2000).
Witt, WP, “Maternal Depression and the Mental Health of Disabled Children,” verbal
presentation at the 109th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (August
24-28, 2001).
Witt, WP and Riley, AW, “The Importance of Medical Care Coordination in Predicting Mental
Health Care Utilization Among Disabled Children,” poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of
the Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy (June 10-12, 2001).
Witt, WP and Riley, AW, “The Importance of Medical Care Coordination in Predicting Mental
Health Care Utilization Among Disabled Children,” verbal presentation at the Third Annual
Meeting of Child Health Services Researchers: Bridging Research, Practice and Policy (June 9,
2001).
Witt, WP, Perrin, JM, Kuhlthau, K, “Treatment for Maternal Depression and Childhood
Behavioral Problems: Findings from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey” platform
presentation at the 2002 Pediatric Academic Societies' Meeting in Baltimore, MD (May 4-7,
2002).
Witt, WP, Crown, WH, Maguire, J, Berndt, ER, and Finkelstein, SN, “Asthma in the Family:
Determining Family-Level Psychological Morbidity, Medical Services Use, and Healthcare
Expenditures” poster presentation at 130th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health
Association (November 9-13, 2002).
Witt, WP, Crown, WH, Maguire, J, Berndt, ER, and Finkelstein, SN, “Pharmacy Benefit Plan
Design, Prescription Drug Utilization, and Healthcare Use Among Asthmatics” verbal
presentation at 130th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November 913, 2002).
Berndt, ER, Crown, WH, Finkelstein, SN, Witt, WP, “Three tier benefit plan design, prescription
drug utilization, and health outcomes for asthmatics” verbal presentation at the American
Economic Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (January 3-5, 2003).
Crown, WH, Berndt, ER, Haver, KE, Maguire, J, Witt, WP, “Benefit Plan Design and
Prescription Drug Utilization Among Asthmatics: Do Patient Co-payments Matter?” invited
verbal presentation at the Frontiers In Health Policy Research Conference, National Bureau Of
Economic Research, Inc., Washington, DC (June 6, 2003).
Witt, WP, Fortuna, L, Kahn, R, Winickoff, J, and Ferris, TG, “Maternal and Child Seat Belt Use
and the Correlation with Maternal Depressive Symptoms” oral presentation given at the Ninth
Annual National Research Service Award Trainees Research Conference (June 26, 2003).
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Witt, WP, Fortuna, L, Kahn, R, Winickoff, J, and Ferris, TG, “Association between Maternal
Depressive Symptoms and Family Seat Belt Safety” Scientific Poster Session at the
Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Day (June 6, 2003).
Witt, WP, Kahn, R, Fortuna, L, Winickoff, J, Kuhlthau, K, and Ferris, TG, “Maternal Depressive
Symptoms And Timely Use Of Routine Care: The Importance Of Having Health Insurance And
A Usual Source Of Care” accepted to present at the Ninth Annual Maternal and Child Health
Epidemiology Conference (December 10-12, 2003).
Fortuna, L, Witt, WP, Kahn, R, Kuhlthau, K, and Ferris, TG, “Association Of Hispanic
Ethnicity, Depressive Symptoms And Years Living In The United States With Report Of Never
Having Had A Pap Test Among Mothers” accepted to present at the Ninth Annual Maternal and
Child Health Epidemiology Conference (December 10-12, 2003).
Witt, WP, Niemeck, T, Fortuna, L, Kahn, R, Winickoff, J, Kuhlthau, K, Pirraglia, PA, and Ferris,
T, “Child Seat Belt Use: The Role of Maternal Psychological Distress and Seat Belt Use” poster
presentation at the 2003 Chicago-Area Health Services Research Consortium Meeting
(December 17, 2003).
Witt, WP, Niemeck, T, Fortuna, L, Kahn, R, Winickoff, J, Kuhlthau, K, Pirraglia, PA, and Ferris,
T, “Factors Related To Children’s Seat Belt Use: The Importance Of Maternal Psychological
Distress And Mothers’ Own Lack Of Seat Belt Use” poster presentation at the 2004 Pediatric
Academic Societies' Meeting (May 1-4, 2004).
Witt, WP, Lee, TA, Xu, J, Baker, D, and Weiss, KB “The Mental Health Impact Of Living With
A Spouse With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” poster presentation at the 27th Annual
Meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine (May 12-15, 2004).
Hung, S, Pickard, AS, McKoy, JM, Utukuri, S, McWilliams, N, Witt, WP, Knight, SJ, Bennett,
CL, “Conceptualization of a Disease State Management Program for Prostate Cancer Patients
and Caregivers” poster presentation at the Midwest Pharmacy Administration Conference,
Purdue University, Indiana (July 29-31, 2004).
Xu, J, Lee, T, Witt, WP, Durazo-Arvizu, R, “Emergency Department Visits among COPD
Patients: An Example of Repeat Recurrent Event Analysis” oral presentation at the Joint
Statistical Meetings, Toronto, Canada (August 8-12, 2004).
Witt, WP, Gibbs, J, Wang, J, Giobbie-Hurder, A, Edelman, P, McCarthy, Jr., M, and Neumayer,
L. “The Impact of Laparoscopic and Open Hernia Repair on Informal Caregivers” poster
presentation at the 11th Annual Eckenhoff Lecture and Smart Symposium at the Buehler Center
on Aging (May 25, 2005).
Feinglass, J, Thompson, JA, He, XZ, Witt, WP, Chang, RW, Baker, DW. “The Effect of
Physical Activity on Functional Status and Arthritis Symptoms among Older Middle Aged
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Adults” poster presentation at the 11 Annual Eckenhoff Lecture and Smart Symposium at the
Buehler Center on Aging (May 25, 2005).
th
Witt, WP, “Methodological Issues in Family Caregiver Research” presentation to the Works in
Progress and Methods Meeting led by Chih-Hung Chang, PhD at the Buehler Center on Aging
(October 25, 2005).
Kuhlthau, K, Hill, K, Witt, WP, Yucel, R. “Impact of childhood disability on parental
caregivers: caregiver health, well-being, and preventive healthcare use” oral presentation at the
133rd Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (November 5-9, 2005).
Accepted Presentations
Witt, WP, Rintamaki, L, Weaver, F, Khan, SO, Lamba, N, Malis, R, Breslow, D, and Simuni, T.
“Stress and Coping among Family Caregivers of Parkinson’s Disease Patients” presentation to
the World Parkinson’s Congress (February 22-26, 2006).
Rintamaki, L, Witt, WP, Weaver, F, Malis, R, Breslow, D, and Simuni, T. “The Experience of
Stigma among People Living with Parkinson's Disease” presentation to the World Parkinson’s
Congress (February 22-26, 2006).
Submitted Presentations
Witt, WP, Rintamaki, L, Weaver, F, Khan, SO, Lamba, N, Malis, R, Breslow, D, and Simuni, T.
“Exploring the Sources of Stress and Adjustment Strategies among Family Caregivers of
Parkinson’s Disease Patients” submitted to the 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American
Geriatrics Society.
Witt, WP, Hauser, J, G’sell, B, Rietjens, J, and Emanuel, L. “Emerging Methodological
Approaches to Family Caregiver Research in Geriatrics: A New Model for Ascertaining the Full
Experience of Family Caregivers” submitted to the 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the
American Geriatrics Society.
Invited Presentations
Witt, WP, “Correlates of Mental Healthcare Use among Children with Disabilities in the US”
invited presentation to the Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Statistical Society (March
4, 2004).
Witt, WP, “Correlates of Mental Healthcare Use among Children with Disabilities in the US”
invited presentation in the Health Services Research and Policy Seminar Series, Northwestern
Feinberg School of Medicine (July 1, 2004).
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Witt, WP, “Searching for a Job in Public Health or Academic Medicine” invited presentation
to the post-doctoral fellows of the Institute for Health Services Research and Policy Studies,
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (January 22, 2004).
Witt, WP, “Treatment of Maternal Depression” invited presentation to the faculty and students at
the Center for Pharmacoeconomic Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at
Chicago (February 25, 2005).
Witt, WP, “Family Health, Well-Being, and Disparities” invited presentation to the medical
students of the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (March 7, 2005).
Witt, WP and Wu, E, “The Role of Sociocultural Factors in Patient-Provider Communication”
invited presentation to the medical students of the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
(March 8, 2005).
Witt, WP, “The Stress of Caregiving for Chronically Ill Family Members: Impact on Health
Outcomes” invited presentation at the inaugural conference for Cells to Society: The Center on
Social Disparities and Health at the Institute for Policy Research. (June 6, 2005).
Witt, WP, “The Psychobiology of Caregiving” invited presentation to the medical students
enrolled in the Buehler Center on Aging Summer Medical Student Program led by Josh Hauser,
MD at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine (June 13, 2005).
Witt, WP, Gibbs, J, Wang, J, Giobbie-Hurder, A, Edelman, P, McCarthy, Jr., M, and Neumayer,
L, “The Impact of Inguinal Hernia Repair on Family and Other Informal Caregivers” invited
presentation to the Works in Progress and Methods Meeting led by Chih-Hung Chang, PhD at
the Buehler Center on Aging (July 19, 2005).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Personal statement of research and research objectives
My research focuses on the impact of acute, chronic, and terminal illness on the family system
and aims to determine how familial relationships influence health behaviors, health, and mental
health of individuals over time. I am also interested in the psychosocial determinants of health.
Specifically, my research seeks to understand the physiological, behavioral, and social pathways
by which health perceptions affect the health of caregivers and patients. Through a series of
projects, I am building a research program to examine caregiver mind-body interactions and how
such interactions may help explain health disparities within and between families. As part of this
research agenda, I will explore how caregivers interface with the healthcare system and if
providers are taking steps to prevent, identify, and properly treat caregiver stress and burden.