The GW School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Hee Jun Kim, Ph.D., RN, and Associate Professor Juh Hyun Shin, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, FAAN have been appointed with tenure.
We are also pleased to announce the promotion to associate professor (non-tenured) for three of our faculty: Elizabeth Choma, D.N.P., CPNP-PC, M.S.N., RN, B.S.N., Crystel Farina, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNE, CHSE, ANEF, and Jennifer Walsh, D.N.P., C.P.N.P., CNE.
These well-deserved milestones reflect the extraordinary dedication, scholarship, and clinical expertise these faculty members bring to GW Nursing. Drs. Kim and Shin continue to advance healthcare equity and quality through their vital research—Dr. Kim through her NINR R21-funded work addressing cultural disparities in chronic pain, and Dr. Shin through her impactful studies on optimizing long-term care staffing and resident outcomes.
Our newly-promoted associate professors similarly embody excellence in education, leadership, and practice: Dr. Choma brings over two decades of pediatric advocacy and firearm risk prevention; Dr. Farina, an award-winning expert in simulation pedagogy, directs the GW Nursing pre-licensure programs; and Dr. Walsh offers 28 years of clinical distinction as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, dedicated coach, and NurseTRUST Fellow. Please join us in congratulating these remarkable leaders on their achievements and thanking them for their unwavering commitment to our students, research, and community.
Hee Jun Kim, Ph.D., RN
Associate Professor Dr. Hee Jun Kim researches racial and ethnic disparities in chronic pain mechanisms. Her past work includes cross-cultural studies on mental health, nursing education, and Korean-funded research on Asian rheumatic pain. Recently, Dr. Kim secured an NINR R21 grant to evaluate a culturally tailored psychosocial pain education intervention for Asian Americans, using the Korean American community as an exemplar.
Juh Hyun Shin, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, FAAN
Associate Professor Dr. Juh Hyun Shin researches nursing home staffing, care levels, and quality. Her work examines how hours, pay, and education affect long-term care, utilizing standardized nursing languages like NANDA-I to optimize cost-effectiveness and resident outcomes. Before joining GW Nursing, Dr. Shin was an associate professor at Ewha Womans University in South Korea. She holds a PhD from the University of Iowa, an MSN from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BSN from Ewha Womans University.
Elizabeth Choma, D.N.P., CPNP-PC, M.S.N., RN, B.S.N.
With over 20 years of experience, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Dr. Elizabeth Choma began her career at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn. Now at the GWU Student Health Center, her clinical and research focus centers on pediatric advocacy and firearm risk prevention. Dr. Choma serves on GWU's Athletics and Recreation Committee and holds executive board positions with Virginia NAPNAP and Sigma Theta Tau. She is also an AANP member and journal reviewer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running, reading, and supporting her children’s sports.
Crystel Farina, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNE, CHSE, ANEF
Dr. Crystel L. Farina joined GW Nursing in 2017. With over 20 years of pre-licensure education experience, she specializes in pain management, oncology, and simulation pedagogy. She holds a nursing diploma, an MSN, and a PhD in Educational Leadership. At GW, she served as Director of Simulation before becoming Associate Dean in 2022. Previously, she directed simulation at Chesapeake College, winning the 2016 Stuart M. Bounds Distinguished Teaching Chair. Dr. Farina is a certified CNE and CHSE, and a member of NLN, SSH, and INACSL.
Jennifer Walsh, D.N.P., C.P.N.P., CNE
Dr. Jennifer M. Walsh is a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Educator with over 28 years of experience. She holds a DNP from GWU and an MSN from Catholic University, plus mental health training. Certified by PNCB and NLN, she is President-Elect of Virginia NAPNAP. A DAISY recipient and NurseTRUST Fellow, she serves on several committees and coaches the ABSN program.