Summary
Dr. Molly Kokenge is an Associate Professor and the inaugural Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing (OSN). In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen academic, clinical and community partnerships in support of OSN’s missions in education, research and practice, while advancing nurse‑led models of care, workforce development and health equity.
Dr. Kokenge oversees the OSN Faculty Practice Plan, a mission-driven enterprise focused on faculty-led clinical care and systems-level practice initiatives that expand access to care for communities historically underserved by traditional health systems. Grounded in her background in emergency nursing and systems leadership, her research examines health behavior engagement and adherence, with a strong emphasis on policy-informed and structural change. She teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs and specializes in leadership, emergency nursing and critical care.
Research interests
Medication adherence, health behavior engagement and adherence, hypertension, cardiovascular health, health inequities, systems science, health policy
Publications
- Kokenge, M. C., Ruppar, T. M., Julion, W., Emezue, C. N., Lynch, E., & Ellis, R. B. (2025). Understanding System-Level Experiences Impacting Black Americans' Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 10.1007/s40615-025-02508-4. Advance online publication.
- Kokenge, M. C., & Ruppar, T. M. (2024). Factors Influencing Antihypertensive Medication Adherence Among Historically Underrepresented Adults: A Meta-analysis. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing, 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001077. Advance online publication.
- Kokenge, M. C., Ruppar, T. M., & Buchholz, S. (2022). Physical Activity Interventions Among American Indian and Alaska Native Persons: A Systematic Review. American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 36(8), 1350–1370.
- Davisson, M., & Sedlak, S. K. (2018). A morbidly obese patient with shortness of breath. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 44 (2), 186-187.
Education
- Ph.D., Nursing Science, Rush University
- MSN, Emphasis in Clinical Nurse Leadership, Rush University
- B.S., Health Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz
Professional Certifications
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Certified Emergency Nurse