Brief Bio

Dr. Ashley Schoenfisch joined the School of Nursing faculty in 2015. She came to DUSON from the Department of Community and Family Medicine of the Duke University School Medicine, where she was an assistant professor. Dr. Schoenfisch holds a BS in Biology / BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Public Health from Emory University. She completed her PhD in epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2012. She is a member of the American Public Health Association, the North Carolina Public Health Association, the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research, the Safe States Alliance, and the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. In 2013, she became certified as an instructor in the Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Program.

Dr. Schoenfisch is an occupational injury epidemiologist with experience studying the safety and health of workers in the healthcare industry. Her research interests include the surveillance of work-related injuries and violence, work organization, intervention evaluation, and the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. For nearly a decade, her focus on the nursing workforce has enhanced the understanding of hospital workers’ experiences with patient and visitor perpetrated violence, as well as the use of patient lift and transfer devices designed to prevent work-related injuries.

Academic Program Affiliations

Education

PhD	University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Public Health
MSPH	Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
BS/BA	University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Research Interests

Areas of research interest:
Community engagement
Construction industry
Epidemiology
Healthcare industry
Injury epidemiology
Intervention evaluation
Mixed methods
Musculoskeletal disorders
Occupational epidemiology
Qualitative methods
Surveillance
Vulnerable workers
Work organization
Work-related injury
Work-related violence

Awards and Honors

• 2016 SciComm Fellow, Duke Initiative for Science & Society

• 2015 Selected for participation in the Leadership Development for Researchers (LEADER) Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC

• 2014 Best Abstract Award, ? 4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector. Miami, FL

• 2014 Recognized in “The Year in US Occupational Health and Safety: Fall 2013 - Summer 2014", Borkowski and Monforton (eds.)

• 2013 Inducted, Delta Omega, Honorary Public Health Society, Theta chapter

• 2011 First Place, National Occupational Injury Intervention Evaluation Contest., 5th National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, Morgantown, WV

• 2011 Robert Verhalen Endowed Scholarship in Injury Prevention/Trauma Management, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• 2005 Inducted, Delta Omega, Honorary Public Health Society, Phi chapter

• 2003 Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship, Emory University

• 2002 Inducted, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Economics Honor Society, UNC-Chapel Hill

• 1999 Inducted, National Society of Collegiate Scholars in Scholarship, Service, Leadership, & Knowledge, UNC-Chapel Hill Chapter

• 1998 Newton Sudduth Calhoun College Fellows, UNC-Chapel Hill Academic Scholarship

• 1998 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, NC Department of Public Instruction

Areas of Expertise

• Global and Community Health

Representative Publications

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25914335 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L. Nail gun injuries treated in U.S emergency departments, 2006-2011: Not just a worker safety issue. Am J Ind Med. August, 2015; 58(8); 880-5

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 26076187 Pompeii, L. A., Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J., Dement, J. M., Smith, C. D., Upadhyaya, M. Physical assault, physical threat, and verbal abuse perpetrated against hospital workers by patients or visitors in six U.S. hospitals. Am J Ind Med. June, 2015;

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25939759 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Cameron, W., Kucera, K. L., Adams, D., Silverstein, B. A. Contrasting patterns of care for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the upper extremity and knee through workers' compensation and private health care insurance among union carpenters in Washington State, 1989 to 2008. Am J Ind Med. May, 2015;

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25712704 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Cameron, W., Kucera, K. L., Adams, D., Silverstein, B. A. Workers' compensation claims for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the upper extremity and knee among union carpenters in Washington State, 1989-2008. Am J Ind Med. April, 2015; 58(4); 428-36

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25676039 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Cameron, W. Non-reporting of work injuries and aspects of jobsite safety climate and behavioral-based safety elements among carpenters in Washington State. Am J Ind Med. April, 2015; 58(4); 411-21

• 2015 -- Albers, J., Lowe, B., Lipscomb, H., Hudock, S., Dement, J., Evanoff, B., Fullen, M., Gillen, M., Kaskutas, V., Nolan, J., Patterson, D., Platner, J., Pompeii, L., Schoenfisch, A. Pneumatic Nail guns: Revisiting trigger recommendations [ASSE-15-03-30] Professional Safety. March, 2015; 60(3); 30-33

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24771631 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Cameron, W., Kucera, K. L., Adams, D., Silverstein, B. A. Twenty years of workers' compensation costs due to falls from height among union carpenters, Washington state. Am J Ind Med. September, 2014; 57(9); 984-91

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24526348 Dement, J. M., Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Pompeii, L. A. Impact of hospital type II violent events: use of psychotropic drugs and mental health services. Am J Ind Med. June, 2014; 57(6); 627-39

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24038384 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J., Marshall, S. W., Casteel, C., Richardson, D. B., Brookhart, M. A., Cameron, W. Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care? Am J Ind Med. February, 2014; 57(2); 184-94

• 2014 -- Pubmed # 24038233 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Cameron, W., Kucera, K. L., Adams, D., Silverstein, B. A. How well are we controlling falls from height in construction? Experiences of union carpenters in Washington State, 1989-2008. Am J Ind Med. January, 2014; 57(1); 69-77

• 2014 -- Schoenfisch, A., Pompeii, L. Weapons Use Among Hospital Security Personnel. 2014;

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23861237 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H., Marshall, S., Cameron, W., Richardson, D., Casteel, C. Work-related injuries among union drywall carpenters in Washington State, 1989-2008. Am J Ind Med. October, 2013; 56(10); 1137-48

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 23143816 McCoy, A. J., Kucera, K. L., Schoenfisch, A. L., Silverstein, B. A., Lipscomb, H. J. Twenty years of work-related injury and illness among union carpenters in Washington State. Am J Ind Med. April, 2013; 56(4); 381-8

• 2013 -- Pubmed # 22396049 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J., Pompeii, L. A., Myers, D. J., Dement, J. M. Musculoskeletal injuries among hospital patient care staff before and after implementation of patient lift and transfer equipment. Scand J Work Environ Health. January, 2013; 39(1); 27-36

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22199366 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Myers, D. J., Pompeii, L. A., Dement, J. M. Evaluation of direct workers' compensation costs for musculoskeletal injuries surrounding interventions to reduce patient lifting. Occup Environ Med. May, 2012; 69(5); 367-72

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 22068725 Schoenfisch, A. L., Myers, D. J., Pompeii, L. A., Lipscomb, H. J. Implementation and adoption of mechanical patient lift equipment in the hospital setting: The importance of organizational and cultural factors. Am J Ind Med. December, 2011; 54(12); 946-54

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 22068724 Schoenfisch, A. L., Pompeii, L. A., Myers, D. J., James, T., Yeung, Y., Fricklas, E., Pentico, M., Lipscomb, H. J. Objective measures of adoption of patient lift and transfer devices to reduce nursing staff injuries in the hospital setting. Am J Ind Med. December, 2011; 54(12); 935-45

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21800796 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J., Myers, D. J., Fricklas, E., James, T. A lift assist team in an acute care hospital-prevention of injury or transfer of risk during patient-handling tasks? AAOHN J. August, 2011; 59(8); 329-34

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21393456 Schoenfisch, A. L., Dollard, S. C., Amin, M., Gardner, L. I., Klein, R. S., Mayer, K., Rompalo, A., Sobel, J. D., Cannon, M. J. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding is highly correlated with markers of immunosuppression in CMV-seropositive women. J Med Microbiol. June, 2011; 60(Pt 6); 768-74

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20630269 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Shishlov, K. S. Non-fatal contact injuries among workers in the construction industry treated in U.S. emergency departments, 1998-2005. J Safety Res. June, 2010; 41(3); 191-5

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 20635372 Shishlov, K. S., Schoenfisch, A. L., Myers, D. J., Lipscomb, H. J. Non-fatal construction industry fall-related injuries treated in US emergency departments, 1998-2005. Am J Ind Med. February, 2011; 54(2); 128-35

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20506461 Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Shishlov, K. S., Myers, D. J. Nonfatal tool- or equipment-related injuries treated in US emergency departments among workers in the construction industry, 1998-2005. Am J Ind Med. June, 2010; 53(6); 581-7

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20506460 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J., Shishlov, K., Myers, D. J. Nonfatal construction industry-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States, 1998-2005. Am J Ind Med. June, 2010; 53(6); 570-80

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19764180 Lipscomb, H. J., Pompeii, L. A., Myers, D. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Dement, J. M. Systematic reviews of workplace injury interventions: what are we missing? Med Lav. October, 2009; 100(4); 247-57

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19444808 Pompeii, L. A., Lipscomb, H. J., Schoenfisch, A. L., Dement, J. M. Musculoskeletal injuries resulting from patient handling tasks among hospital workers. Am J Ind Med. July, 2009; 52(7); 571-8

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19597289 Schoenfisch, A. L., Lipscomb, H. J. Job characteristics and work organization factors associated with patient-handling injury among nursing personnel. Work. 2009; 33(1); 117-28

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18942663 Schoenfisch, A. L., Dement, J. M., Rodríguez-Acosta, R. L. Demographic, clinical and occupational characteristics associated with early onset of delivery: findings from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System, 2001-2004. Am J Ind Med. December, 2008; 51(12); 911-22

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17669493 Lipscomb, H. J., Dement, J. M., Epling, C. A., Gaynes, B. N., McDonald, M. A., Schoenfisch, A. L. Depressive symptoms among working women in rural North Carolina: a comparison of women in poultry processing and other low-wage jobs. Int J Law Psychiatry. July, 2007; 30(4-5); 284-98

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17434856 Lipscomb, H. J., Dement, J. M., Epling, C. A., McDonald, M. A., Schoenfisch, A. L. Are we failing vulnerable workers? The case of black women in poultry processing in rural North Carolina. New Solut. May, 2007; 17(1-2); 17-40

Grant Funding (selected)

• Effectiveness of OSHA outreach training on rates of construction work-related injuries  
  Center for Construction Research and Training’s Small Study Program, under a cooperative agreement from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  U60 OH009762
  03/2015-02/2016
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To evaluate the effectiveness of OSHA outreach training on work-related injuries in the context of a cohort of union carpenters in Washington State.

• Safety and health of union home care workers in Washington State, 2005-2013  
  Service Employees International Union Healthcare NW Health Benefits Trust
  Contract # 15115DUKE
  03/2015-02/2016
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To identify a 9-year cohort of union home care workers in Washington State (2005-2013) and explore patterns in rates of work-related injuries and other outcomes.

• Assessing the impacts of mechanized harvesting on logger health and safety  
  Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health, sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  2015-010609-6
  03/2015-09/2015
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: To understand the safety and health of loggers working in mechanized harvesting operations

• Case Crossover Study of Factors Associated with Patient Lift Equipment Use  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  R21 OH010542
  09/2014-08/2016
  Role: Principal Investigator of Duke Sub-Contract
  Project Goal: To explore the magnitude and importance of factors influencing use or nonuse of patient lift equipment in the in-patient hospital setting using a case crossover study design.

• Weapons use among hospital security personnel  
  International Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation
  Contract # 2013-202611
  12/2013-05/2014
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To examine the carrying and use of weapons among security personnel working in the hospital setting.

• Development and Evaluation of a Comprehensive Hospital Violence Surveillance System  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  R01 OH009697
  07/2010-06/2015
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: To improve injury and hazard surveillance for workplace violence among health care workers in an acute care environment

• 20-Year Trends in Work-related Injuries and Disorders among Carpenters  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  U60 OH009761
  09/2009-08/2014
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: To support and enhance work-related injury surveillance among an important occupational cohort of union construction carpenters

• Construction injuries treated in US emergency departments based on analyses of NEISS-Work  
  Federal Occupational Health/Surveillance Branch, NIOSH Division of Safety Research
  Contract # 240-BPA-07-EH0062
  07/2009-01/2010
  Project Goal: To examine nonfatal construction industry work-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States from1998 through 2005

• Effectiveness of lift equipment in preventing patient handling injuries  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  R01 OH008375
  08/2005-09/2010
  Role: Epidemiologist, Project Manager
  Project Goal: To evaluate the effectiveness of lift equipment in the prevention of patient-handling injuries among hospital patient care staff

• Back Disorders in Union Carpenters  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  R01 OH008007
  06/2004-05/2007
  Role: Epidemiologist
  Project Goal: To describe rates of work-related back disorders among a cohort of union carpenters working in Washington State and determine predictors of delayed return to work.

• Surveillance Methods for Health Care and Related Workers  
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  R01 OHO3979
  09/2001-09/2006
  Role: Epidemiologist
  Project Goal: To develop a comprehensive system for health, injury, and hazard surveillance of health care workers

• Work and Health Disparities Among Rural Women  
  National Institute of Environmental Health Science; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
  R01 ES10939
  09/2000-07/2006
  Role: Epidemiologist
  Project Goal: To describe poultry processing workers’ musculoskeletal disorders/acute injuries, work conditions, and high-risk groups.