Peg Kennedy, PhD, RN, FNP-BC

Biography: 

Peg (Margaret) Kennedy is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a strong background in child and adolescent health and trauma-informed approaches to practice and education. Dr. Kennedy has experience as a registered nurse in general and intensive care pediatric settings and as a nurse practitioner in a family practice setting. She is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Oakland University, where she also serves as the Student Retention and Success Coach. Peg earned her PhD in Nursing from Oakland University in 2025. Her dissertation research focused on resilience in trauma-exposed youth through qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with internationally known, multidisciplinary childhood trauma experts. Dr. Kennedy also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University, and both a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Nursing from Oakland University.

Clinical Expertise: 

• Pediatric nursing
• Family practice
• Child and adolescent health

Education:

• PhD in Nursing - Oakland University
• MSN-FNP – Oakland University
• BSN – Oakland University
• BA in Personnel Administration – Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business

Research Area Interests:

• Impacts of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress (ACEs) on physical and psychological health
• Protective factors and resilience in trauma-exposed youth and young adults
• Child and adolescent health
• Sexual and gender minority health
• Implementation of trauma-informed approaches to health care and education 

Research/Publications:

• Publications (Journal)

• Berishaj, K., Morrissey, S., & Kennedy, M. (2024). Sexual assault nurse examiner knowledge and confidence in providing care for transgender patients following sexual assault. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 40(11-12), 2449-2466. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241270062.

• Presentations (Poster-Refereed)

• Kennedy, M. (2020, October). Understanding Resilience in the Context of Childhood Adversity. Poster presentation at the 2020 Academy on Violence and Abuse Global Summit, Virtual.

• Presentations (Oral-Refereed)

• Kennedy, M. (2021, April). Understanding Resilience in the Context of Childhood Adversity. ResilienceCon, Virtual.

• Presentations (Oral-Invited)

• Kennedy, M. (2025, June). The Hidden Link: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma, and Hoarding Behaviors in the Elderly. Oakland and Wayne County CCRC Elder Abuse has no Borders Conference. Madonna University, Livonia, MI [Oral].
• Kennedy, M., Berishaj, K. (2024, June). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Knowledge and Confidence in Providing Care for Transgender Patients Following Sexual Assault. Academy of Forensic Nurses National Conference. Oakland University, Rochester, MI [Oral].
• Berishaj, K., Kennedy, M., & Gajewski, E. (2023, April). Evaluation of education and confidence in providing care to patients who experience intentional trauma survey. Sigma Theta Tau International- Theta Psi Chapter 2023 Spring Research Day. Oakland University, Rochester, MI. [Poster/Oral].
• Kennedy, M. (2022, November). Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing. Oakland University School of Nursing Dean’s Circle Monthly Meeting. Virtual [Oral].
• Kennedy, M. (2022, October). Trauma-Informed Practices: Strategies for Advisers and Faculty. Oakland University Professional Advising Council Meeting. Virtual [Oral].
• Kennedy, M. (2022, June). Trauma-Informed Practices. Oakland University School of Nursing Advising Meeting. Virtual [Oral].
• Kennedy, M. (2021, September). Trauma Aware Pedagogy. Oakland University Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Workshop Series on Pedagogy of Care. Virtual [Oral].
• Fulks, E., & Kennedy, M. (2021). Digital Interactive Clinical Education (DICE) Module: Culturally Competent Care of Transgender Adolescents. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) & Apple Digital Innovators Showcase. Virtual [Poster/Oral].
• Kennedy, M. (2021). Introduction to Trauma. Oakland and Wayne County CCRC Elder Abuse has no Borders Conference. Virtual [Oral].
• Moore, C., Kennedy, M. (2021). Pedagogy of Care (Trauma-Aware Pedagogy). Oral presentation for Oakland University Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Workshop, Virtual.
• Kennedy, M. (2021). Introduction to Trauma. Oakland and Wayne County Coordinated Community Response Coalition Elder Abuse has no Borders Conference, Virtual.
• Kennedy, M. (2021). Trauma-Informed Pedagogy. Oral presentation for Oakland University Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Development Institute, Virtual.

• Grants (Funded)

• Berishaj, K. (PI), Kennedy, M. (Co-PI), & Gajewski, E. (Co-PI) (2020). Evaluation of Education and Confidence in Providing Care to Patients Who Have Experienced Intentional Trauma. Sigma Theta Tau International- Theta Psi Chapter (submitted Sept. 21, 2020- Small Research Grant). Proposal amount $1000. Accepted.
• Munyan, K., Kennedy, M. (2020). Inclusive Practices for Student Success. The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Oakland University. Proposal amount $3000. Accepted.

• Grants (Under Review)

• Berishaj, K., & Kennedy, M. (2025, July 28). Patient Perspectives on the Use of Medical Chaperones for Sexual Assault Medical-Forensic Examinations. International Association of Forensic Nursing Research Grant. Proposal amount: $2,350. (50% writing contribution).

• Grants (Not Funded)

• Gifford, C. (Project Leader), Kennedy, M. (Project Manager), Buch, C., Hays, D., Purcell, J. (2024). Student Success Library. 2024-2025 School Employee Grant Application, Extra Credit Union. Total: $2000.
• Kennedy, M. Project Manager. (2024). Student Retention and Success Coach Lending Library. Oakland University, Women in Philanthropy Grant Application. Total: $2000.
• Kennedy, M., Project Leader. (2024). Oakland University School of Nursing Student Success Resource Library. Nursing Instruction Endowment Grant Application, Oakland University School of Nursing. Total: $10,000.

Professional Affiliations:

• Academy of Forensic Nursing
• International Association of Forensic Nurses                                           
• Academy on Violence and Abuse                                                                          
• American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children                                           
• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners                              
• American Nurses’ Association