Kevin Joiner, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC


Assistant Professor
Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences
Room 2347 NURS1

University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

Telephone: (734) 647-0127
Kevin Joiner is accepting new PhD students.

In the news

Interests

  • Diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2
  • Prediabetes
  • Culturally Competent Care
  • Limited English Proficiency
  • Social Stigma

Dr. Kevin Joiner’s research focuses on developing and evaluating innovative strategies to prevent diabetes and reduce the stigma experienced by people living with the disease, with an emphasis on engaging Hispanic/Latino and other historically underserved communities. His work involves culturally relevant behavioral interventions, community-engaged research, and provider education aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of diabetes prevention and care. Dr. Joiner utilizes a mix of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, designing studies and intervention trials that examine both individual and broader social factors influencing health behaviors and program participation. He has recently led an American Diabetes Association-funded study to advance best practices in diabetes prevention and to develop training modules for healthcare providers that address language and communication barriers related to diabetes. He is currently contributing to a multi-institutional CDC-funded project to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Dr. Joiner’s publication record spans a range of leading scientific journals, contributing to national and international conversations on diabetes prevention, provider practices, and stigma reduction. He was a co-author on the landmark international consensus statement to end diabetes stigma and discrimination, reflecting his commitment to translating research findings into meaningful improvements in care and support for people living with diabetes.

Teaching

As an educator at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, Dr. Joiner is deeply committed to student learning and professional development. He teaches a variety of courses, ranging from applied statistics to advanced clinical practice and research methods, where he prioritizes interactive, participatory learning and real-world application of concepts. His classroom approach is grounded in inclusive pedagogy, encouraging critical thinking and collaboration among students with diverse backgrounds and career goals.

Beyond his teaching in formal coursework, Dr. Joiner has demonstrated long-standing dedication to student support and mentorship. Dr. Joiner founded the Men in Nursing student group at the School of Nursing and continues to serve as faculty advisor for this initiative, guiding students, fostering a sense of community, and advocating for broader representation in the nursing profession. His commitment to mentorship and support for students has been recognized through awards such as the Outstanding Research Mentor from the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the Honored Instructor distinction from Michigan Housing. Dr. Joiner strives to create environments where all students feel valued, empowered, and prepared to become leaders in nursing and healthcare

Affiliations / Service

  • Member, Health Behavior and Biological Sciences Department Advisory Group, 2020-present
  • Member, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (Member of the Workforce Development Recruitment and Retention Workgroup 2020-present)
  • Member, American Heart Association, 2012-present
  • Member, American Association of Diabetes Educators, 2009-present
  • Member, American Diabetes Association, 2011-present
  • Member, American Nurses Association, 1994-present
  • Member, Behavioral Research in Diabetes Group Exchange
  • Member, Sigma Theta Tau International, 1994-present

Notable Awards / Honors

  • Outstanding Research Mentor, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, University of Michigan, 2025
  • Honored Instructor, Michigan Housing, University of Michigan, 2025
  • Rising Star Award, Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Eta Chapter, 2014

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 2017
  • Ph.D., Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2015
  • MS, Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 2007
  • BS, Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1994
  • BA, Spanish, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1988

Publication Highlights

  • Holmes-Truscott, E., Litterbach, E., Søholm, U., Agius, P. A., Alzubaidi, H., Bodziony, V., Bresolin, J., Fletcher, K., Garza, M., Joiner, K. L., Puhl, R. M., Shimabukuro, M., Syron, L., Takaike, H., Vallis, M., Verry, H., Halliday, J. A., Manallack, S. L., Skinner, T. C., & Speight, J. (2025). Experiences of diabetes stigma among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A multi-study, multi-country, secondary analysis. Diabetic medicine: A Journal of the British Diabetic Association, e70082. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.70082

  • Mak S.S., Nally L.M., Montoya J., Marrero R., DeJonckheere M., Joiner K. L., Nam S., & Ash G. (2025). An exergames program for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study of acceptability. JMIR Diabetes, 10, e65665. https://doi.org/10.2196/65665

  • Bayrakdar, A.A.E, Puzantian, H., Noureddine, S., Huijer, H.A., Nasralla, M.P., Joiner, K. L., Martyn-Nemeth, P., & Tfayli, H. (2025). Experiences and health outcomes of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes: A mixed methods study. Nursing Research, 74(2), 98–107.

  • Joiner, K. L., Adams, M., Beltran Minehan, E., & O’Brien, M. J. (2025). Perceptions and experiences of developing prediabetes awareness and participating in the National Diabetes Prevention Program among U.S. Hispanic adults: A qualitative study. JMIR Formative Research, 9, e66964.

  • Speight J., Holmes-Truscott E., Garza M., Scibilia R., Wagner S., Kato A., Pedrero V., Deschênes S., Guzman S. J., Joiner K. L., Liu S., Willaing I., Babbott K. M., Cleal B., Dickinson J. K., Halliday J. A., Morrissey E. C., Nefs G., O'Donnell S., … & Skinner T. C. (2024). Bringing an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination: an international consensus statement on evidence and recommendations. Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 12(1), 61-82.

  • Herman, W. H., Villatoro, C., Joiner, K. L., & McEwen, L. N. (2023). Retention and real-world outcomes of enrollees and non-enrollees with prediabetes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 37(8), 108527.

  • Herman, W. H., Villatoro, C., Joiner, K. L., & McEwen, L. N. (2023). Uptake, retention, and outcomes of the National Diabetes Prevention Program by enrollee characteristics and program type. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 203, 110835.

  • Joiner, K. L., Adams, M. P., Bayrakdar, A., & Speight, J. (2022). A Spanish-language translation for the US of the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-2 Spa-US). Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare, 3, 73. 

  • McEwen, L. N., Hurst, T. E., Joiner, K. L., & Herman, W. H. (2022). Health beliefs associated with metformin use among insured adults with prediabetes. Diabetes Care, 45(10), 2282-2288. 

  • Joiner, K. L., McEwen, L. N., Hurst, T. E., Adams, M. P., & Herman, W. H. (2022). Domains from the health belief model predict enrollment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program among insured adults with prediabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 36(7), 108220. 

  • Joiner, K. L., Adams, M. P., Lee, K. A., Piatt, G., & Davis, M. A. (2022). Perceived risk for diabetes among U.S. adults with undiagnosed prediabetes. Preventative Medicine, 160, 107089. 

  • Hurst, T E., McEwen, L. N., Joiner, K. L., & Herman, W. H. (2021). Use of metformin following a population-level intervention to encourage people with pre-diabetes to enroll in the National Diabetes Prevention Program. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 9(1), e002468.

  • DeJonckheere, M., Joiner, K., Ash, G., Savoye, M., Adams, M., Weinzimer, S. A., Sadler, L. S., & Grey, M. (2021). Youth and parent perspectives on the acceptability of a group physical activity and coping intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care, 47(5), 367-381. 

  • Herman, W. H., Joiner, K., Hurst, T., & McEwen, L. N. (2021). The effectiveness of a proactive, three-level strategy to identify people with prediabetes in a large workforce with employer-sponsored health insurance. Diabetes Care, 44(7), 1532-1539. 

  • Mezuk, B., Needham, B., Joiner, K. L., Watkins, D. C., Stoddard, S., Burghard, S., & Link, B. (2021) What elephant? Pedagogical approaches to addressing stigma toward mental disorders in undergraduate public health education. Pedagogy in Health Promotion, 7(3), 183-190. 

  • Joiner, K. L., DeJonckheere, M., Whittemore, R., & Grey, M. (2020). Perceptions and experiences of living with type 1 diabetes among latino adolescents and parents with limited english proficiency. Research in Nursing and Health, 43(3), 263-273.