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Jaclynn M. Hawkins, MSW, PhD

Hawkins, Jaclynn M.

Jaclynn M. Hawkins, MSW, PhD, is a Research Scientist II at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. She holds a PhD in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan, and a BA and MSW in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Hawkins’ research focuses on implementation science, health equity, and community-engaged research, with an emphasis on developing and scaling peer-led interventions for populations living in marginalizing conditions who are managing chronic conditions. She is the Principal Investigator of the Michigan Men’s Diabetes (MenD) study series. This work includes an active NIDDK R01 evaluating a community-engaged, peer-led self-management intervention to improve type 2 diabetes outcomes in men, and a PCORI Science of Engagement award developing the Peer-Led Collaborative Engagement (PLCE) methodology.

Dr. Hawkins has authored several peer-reviewed publications and has held Principal Investigator roles on federally and foundation-funded studies as PI. She served as the 2025–2026 Co-President of BRIDGE (Behavioral Research in Diabetes Group Exchange), co-chaired the 2024 NIDDK Health Equity and Implementation Science Workshop, and has served as an editorial board member of several journals including Implementation Science Communications. She completed formal implementation science training through the Institute for Implementation Science Scholars (IS2) at Washington University in St. Louis.

Current Position

Research Scientist II, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Section Affiliation

Primary Research Interests

  • Implementation science
  • Health equity
  • Chronic conditions management
  • Community-engaged research
  • Peer-led interventions

Studies

Prevention Research Center of Michigan: Transforming the Built Environment to Create Safe and Equitable Spaces for Physical Activity

This Prevention Research Center focuses on built environment improvements to support equitable physical activity access in Flint and surrounding communities. Dr. Hawkins serves as Co-Investigator and Implementation Scientist.

Investigator: Hawkins, Jaclynn (Co-Investigator)

Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Michigan Men’s Diabetes Program (MenD): A Virtual Cognitive Behavioral and Exercise Intervention for African American Men with Type 2 Diabetes

This study evaluates a tailored intervention combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with structured physical activity for Black men with type 2 diabetes who are experiencing or at risk for depression. The intervention integrates culturally relevant content and male-centered messaging, with multi-site implementation using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles and stakeholder feedback loops. Aims are to evaluate effectiveness, feasibility, and reach (changes in HbA1c, PHQ-9, and health behaviors); identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and sustainability using PRISM and RE-AIM; and develop an implementation toolkit and cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Investigator: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Funder: American Diabetes Association, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid

Developing and Testing a Novel Method of Engagement in Research: Peer-Led Collaborative Engagement (PLCE)

This multi-institutional study develops and tests Peer-Led Collaborative Engagement (PLCE) as a generalizable method for engaging stakeholders in health services research, comparing PLCE with Traditional Researcher-Led Engagement (TRLE) across sites in 4 states. The project positions trained peer leaders as active co-facilitators during research implementation rather than peripheral advisors. Specific aims are to co-develop and refine the PLCE toolkit and assess engagement process quality; evaluate PLCE’s impact on engagement outcomes; and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of the PLCE method, translating findings into a scalable PLCE Implementation Toolkit.

Investigator: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Science of Engagement

A Community-Engaged, Peer-Led Self-Management Intervention to Improve Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes in Men

This Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial combines pragmatic trial design with implementation science frameworks to scale an evidence-based peer-led intervention for men with type 2 diabetes through the Detroit Health Department and aligned community health organizations. The study builds on a systematic research progression from a 25-person pilot feasibility study (MenD I) through a pilot randomized controlled trial (MenD II). The R01 incorporates a 24-month follow-up period beyond the 12-month intervention and includes a cost-effectiveness analysis using the Michigan Model for Diabetes to estimate long-term clinical and economic outcomes.

Investigator: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Publications

Implementation Strategies to Address Cardiometabolic Disparities in Black Men: Lessons from Existing Research and Future Directions.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Curr Diab Rep. 2025 Jul 8;25(1):41. doi: 10.1007/s11892-025-01597-z.

PubMed abstract

Lessons learned in recruiting and retaining Black men in behavioral diabetes intervention research.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2025 Apr 21:45:101487. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101487. eCollection 2025 Jun.

PubMed abstract

The Michigan men’s diabetes project: perspectives on a peer-led diabetes self-management and support intervention for Black men with type 2 diabetes.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):1612. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11884-2.

PubMed abstract

Applying the theoretical domains framework to identify determinants to mental healthcare use among older African Americans with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

BMJ Open. 2024 Oct 1;14(10):e073689. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073689.

PubMed abstract

The Michigan Men’s Diabetes Project Randomized Clinical Control Trial: A Pilot/Feasibility Study of a Peer-Led Diabetes Self-Management and Support Intervention for Black Men With Type 2 Diabetes.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Am J Mens Health. 2024 May-Jun;18(3):15579883241258318. doi: 10.1177/15579883241258318.

PubMed abstract

Michigan men’s diabetes project II: Protocol for peer-led diabetes self-management education and long-term support in Black men.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 2;18(3):e0277733. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277733. eCollection 2023.

PubMed abstract

Michigan Men’s diabetes project (MenD): protocol for a peer leader diabetes self-management education and support intervention.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

BMC Public Health. 2021 Mar 22;21(1):562. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10613-2.

PubMed abstract

Type 2 diabetes self-management in non-Hispanic Black men: A current state of the literature.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Curr Diab Rep. 2019 Feb 11;19(3):10. doi: 10.1007/s11892-019-1131-8.

PubMed abstract

Older African American Men’s Perspectives on Factors That Influence Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management and Peer-Led Interventions.

Authors: Hawkins, Jaclynn

Geriatrics (Basel). 2018 Jul 6;3(3):38. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics3030038.

PubMed abstract

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