Dr. Linda Collins is an Associate Professor and officially recognized as a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, an award that demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching within higher education. Dr. Collins has established a research profile focused on chronic disease management facilitated by obtaining a BSc and MSc in Nursing as well as a doctorate in Health Sciences obtained from the University of Southampton, UK. Dr. Collins has dedicated her career to health research and academia and possesses specialized training and expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Throughout her career, she has advanced evidence-based knowledge, clinical and academic research, and healthcare education. This commitment is driven by theoretical principles that support the concept of knowledge transfer, strategic research leadership, implementation of innovative healthcare practices, and advancing academic curriculum development.
As a Principal Investigator and co-Investigator on externally funded research projects, Dr. Collins has developed and led studies examining both macro and micro level factors involved in managing individuals with chronic diseases. Her work has explored the narratives and lived experiences of individuals affected by chronic diseases in rural and underserved populations through community engagement and with the aim of promoting positive health outcomes within varied population groups.
Her expertise focuses on chronic disease management, community engagement, participatory healthcare interventions, qualitative and quantitative research methods. As the inaugural Graduate Coordinator for the Master's in Population Health Management at Southeastern Louisiana University, Dr. Collins has developed, designed and delivered courses relating to research science and dissemination, biostatistics, health and wellness, informatics and population health program planning and evaluation.