M. Courtney Hughes, Ph.D., M.S.

Title: Associate Professor
Division: Health Studies
Unit: Public Health
Office Location: Wirtz Hall 257
Office Phone: 815-773-8144
Email: courtneyhughes@niu.edu

Courses Taught

  • UHHS 760: Knowledge Integration in the Health Sciences
  • PHHE 611: Applied Research Methods in Public Health
  • PHHE 601: Introduction to Health Systems in the United States
  • PHHE 539/439: Funding for Programs in Public Health
  • PHHE 469: Principles of Health Planning
  • PHHE 455: Public Health Epidemiology
  • PHHE 295: Introduction to Public Health

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Washington, School of Public Health, Health Services
  • M.S., University of Michigan, Kinesiology
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame, Finance and Business Economics (second major, Computer Applications)

Research Interests

  • Quality of life
  • Cancer education
  • Hospice and palliative care
  • Health behavior risks

Selected Publications

Faghani A, Guo L, Wright M, Hughes MC, Vaezi M. (2022). Construction and case study of a novel lung cancer risk index. BMC Cancer. 2022. 22:1275.

Guo L, Wright M, Vaezi M, Osias MC, Hughes MC. (2022). Creation and evaluation of the Illinois Cancer Risk Index as a predictor of four common cancers. Preventing Chronic Disease.

Hughes MC, Afrin S, Vaezi M. (2022). Use of population indices in cancer research: A scoping review. Journal of Global Health Economics and Policy.

Hughes MC, Afrin S, Hamlish T. (2022). Effectiveness of skill-building interventions for informal caregivers of adults with cancer: A systematic review. Journal of Cancer Education.

Hughes MC, Vernon E, Kowalczyk M, Zhou H. (2022). Experiences of caregivers and hospice leaders with telehealth for palliative care: a mixed methods study. Annals of Palliative Medicine. 2022. Vol 11(7):2302-2313.

Faghani A, Hughes MC, Vaezi M. (2022). Association of anti-contagion policies with spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Journal of Public Health Research. 2022. Vol 11(2).

Vernon E, Hughes MC, Kowalczyk M. (2022). Measuring effectiveness in community-based palliative care programs: A systematic review. Social Science & Medicine. Vol 296.

Hughes MC, Spana E, Cada D. (2022). Developing a needs assessment process to address gaps in a local system of care. Community Mental Health Journal.

Baumbach A, Hughes MC, Derain L, Liu Y. (2022). Parenting style in childhood and attitudes toward caregiving in adulthood: A qualitative study. Home Health Care Services Quarterly.

Liu Y, Hughes MC, Roberto KA, Savla J. (2022). Physical and mental health of family caregivers of older parents and grandchildren in mainland China. Vol 2(1):1-7. Aging and Health Research.

Hughes MC, Gray JG, Kim J. (2022). The perspective of administrators of intellectual disability organizations on the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities.

Hughes M.C., Vernon E., Kowalczyk M., and Basco-Rodillas M. (2021). US hospices’ approach to racial/ethnic minority inclusion: A qualitative study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

Hughes MC, Liu Y, Baumbach A. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of informal caregivers of people with dementia: A rapid systematic review. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.

Hughes MC. Like sands through the hourglass. (2021). Palliative & Supportive Care.

Hughes M.C. and Vernon E. (2020). "We are here to assist all individuals who need hospice services": Hospices’ perspectives on improving access for racial/ethnic minorities. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 6.

Hughes M.C., Baker T.A., and Kim, H. (2020). Disparities in health behavior risks among employed and unemployed Black and White older adults. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice. Vol 13(2):36-50.

Hughes M.C., and Vernon E. (2020). Hospice respond to COVID-19: Promoting sustainable inclusion strategies for racial and ethnic minorities. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. Vol 64(2):101-105

McCulloch E.B., Cuckler A., Valdes E.G., and Hughes M.C. (2020). Effectiveness of online training and supervisor feedback on safe eating and drinking practices for individuals with developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Apr:58(2), 111-125.

Hughes M.C., Henry B.W., Kushnick M.R. (2020). Teaching during the pandemic? An opportunity to enhance curriculum. Pedagogy in Health Promotion. Vol 6(4): 235-238

Hughes, M.C., Baker, T. A., Kim, H., and Valdes, E. G. (2019). Health behaviors and related disparities of insured adults with a health care provider in the United States, 2015–2016. Preventive Medicine, 120, 42-49.

Hughes M.C., Gorman, J. M., Ren, Y., Khalid, S., and Clayton, C. (2019). Increasing access to rural mental health care using hybrid care that includes telepsychiatry. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 43(1), 30.

Hughes M.C. and Vernon, E. (2019). Closing the gap in hospice utilization for minority Medicare population. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 5.

Hughes M.C., Roedocker, A., Ehli, J., Walz, D., Froehlich, K., White, L., and Binder, B. (2019). A quality improvement project to improve sepsis-related outcomes at an integrated healthcare system. Journal for Healthcare Quality. 41(6):369-75.

Hughes M.C., McCulloch, E., and Valdes, E. (2018). The impact of story-based video back injury prevention training on employee motivation, engagement, knowledge, and behavior. Occupational Health Science, 2(2), 203-214.

Hughes M.C., McCulloch E. B., and Valdes E. G. (2018). Self-monitoring checklists: A tool for connecting training to practice. Innovations in Global Health Professions Education.

Hughes M.C., Yette E. M., Hannon P.A., Harris J.R., Tran N.M., and Reid T.R. (2011). Promoting tobacco cessation via the workplace: opportunities for improvement. Tobacco Control, 20(4), 305-308.

Hughes M.C., Patrick D.L., Hannon P.A., Harris J.R., and Ghosh D.L. (2011). Understanding the decision-making process for health promotion programming at small to midsized businesses. Health Promotion Practice, 12(4), 512-521.

Hughes M.C., Hannon P.A., Harris J.R., and Patrick D.L. (2010). Health behaviors of employed and insured adults in the United States, 2004-2005. American Journal of Health Promotion, 24(5), 315-323.

Hughes M.C., Girolami T.M., Cheadle A.D., Harris J.R., and Patrick D.L. (2007). A lifestyle-based weight management program delivered to employees: examination of health and economic outcomes. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 49(11), 1212-1217.

Contact Us

College of Health and Human Sciences
Wirtz Hall 227
815-753-1891
chhs@niu.edu

The Dean's Office is open for face-to-face meetings by appointment only.

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