I have spent my career at the intersection of science, practice, education, and policy — working to improve the health of children and strengthen the workforce that cares for them.
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare — and we need a seat at every table where healthcare decisions are being made.
— Jennifer Sonney
They deserve a healthcare system — and a research enterprise — built around their needs, their voices, and their futures. That conviction has driven every career decision I've made, from the asthma clinic to the federal testimony table.
I didn't set out to build mobile apps or design VR environments for teenagers. I followed clinical problems and partnered with children and their families to develop solutions — work that continually pointed me toward technology as a tool in that pursuit.
It is a privilege to prepare the next generation of nurse scientists and practitioners to advance child health, nursing science, and the health of communities. What I find most meaningful is when my students become colleagues, and colleagues become leaders.
I live in the Seattle area with my husband, our adolescent twins, and Charlie — our dog, who has strong opinions about walk schedules. Raising teenagers while researching child health keeps me professionally informed and personally humbled.
I began as a nursing assistant at Seattle Children's Hospital while in college, became a primary care PNP after my MN in 2006, and directed a pediatric asthma program for four years before pursuing my PhD at the University of Arizona (2015). That clinical work — parents who didn't recognize their child's symptoms, children more responsible for their own care than anyone was asking of them — became the foundation for my research agenda.
Started as a nursing assistant on the medical unit while in college. Stayed through nursing school, became an RN, then left to complete my MN in pediatric primary care.
Practiced as a primary care PNP across community-based clinics in the greater Seattle area. Founded and directed a pediatric asthma program — building protocols, training staff, and working directly with families navigating one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood.
Joined UW School of Nursing as a lecturer while simultaneously completing my doctorate at the University of Arizona. My dissertation on parent-child asthma illness representations became the seed of the CSM-PC framework — and a research program I've been building ever since.
Established an extramurally funded research program at the intersection of family informatics, digital health, and pediatric chronic condition management. Led the development of IMPACT and the ReSET stress reduction project.
Served as President-Elect, President, and Past-President of NAPNAP through the post-pandemic period — a consequential stretch of pediatric workforce advocacy. Launched NAPNAP Cares, provided federal testimony, and oversaw the organization's 50th anniversary.
Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs at UW School of Nursing. Lead the school's academic operations division — $5.5M annual operational budget and a team of 50+ across recruitment, admissions, advising, financial aid, clinical placements, simulation, learning technologies, accreditation, compliance, and program directorship. Led the successful 10-year CCNE accreditation site visit (2024) and serve as acting dean during the dean's absences. Maintain an active extramurally funded research program and national advocacy presence.