Research
Ukamaka Oruche
About Us
The Oruche Mental Health Lab is committed to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of communities. Our portfolio includes intervention research focused on the mental health care of children, especially those with disruptive, impulsive, and conduct disorders and their family caregivers. The OMHR Lab also conducts research addressing global inequities in mental health treatment. To this end, we partner with communities of patients, parents, families, health, and social service professionals to identify needs and develop health programs to meet these needs. We also provide expert consultation on the (1) integration of mental health services into community settings (schools, primary care clinics, and detention centers) and (2) evaluation of mental health programs, and (3) the development of research partnerships across local and global communities – with special emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and sub-Saharan Africa.
Meet Our OMHR Lab Team
Led by Ukamaka Oruche, PHD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Gordon Keller Professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, we are an interdisciplinary team of investigators from local and global communities conducting research to address mental and behavioral health, and associated determinants of health challenges.
Join our Lab Team:
If you would like to join the OMHR Lab Team, send a CV and cover letter outlining your experience and research interests to orucheu@usf.edu.
OMHR Lab Team
Ukamaka M. Oruche, PHD, RN, PHMCNS-BC, FAAN - Gordon Keller Professor and Assistant Dean of the PHD Program
Dr. Oruche has developed a sustained, progressive, nationally, and internationally recognized program of research focused on improving mental health outcomes across local and global communities. Her research expertise includes mental or behavioral health health, intervention development and evaluation using community engagement principles to achieve equitable health outcomes. Her research portfolio includes improving the mental health care of children, especially those with disruptive, impulsive, and conduct disorders (DICs) and their family caregivers. She has also been highly invested in transnational research to reduce unequal care of patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs). Dr. Oruche’s expert contributions has prepared psychiatric mental health clinicians and scientists both in nursing and other fields to leverage multiple spheres of influence to shape policies that support equitable health care for all patient populations. Dr. Oruche is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, member of the Edge Runners National Advisory Council, and past President of the International Society of Pediatric Mental health Nurses. She previously served at the Indiana University School of Nursing where she built a program of research and advocacy focused on advancement of mental health equity across the globe. Dr. Oruche’s outstanding contributions to global mental health have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the COVID-19 Courage Award from the American Academy of Nursing, designation as a U.S. News and World Report Hospital and Healthcare Hero. Dr. Oruche is also the founder of Village Community Health Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing healthcare and nutrition to populations in southern Nigeria.
Olajumoke Adetoun Ojeleye (Jummy), RN, RN BNSc, MS, PhD Student -Graduate Research Assistant
Jummy is maternal and child health nurse and a current doctoral student at University of South Florida College of Nursing. To inform more innovative, culturally adaptive, and sustainable interventions, she is researching the perinatal mental health needs, preferences, and access to care among perinatal adolescents.