Alesia O Jones, PhD
Assistant Dean for Advocacy and Engagement
Associate Professor and Director of Behavioral Medicine
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Contact
Address:
1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107
Office Phone:
Email:
Clinic, Hospital or Practice
Address:
Mile Square Health Center - L.P. Johnson Rockford, 1221 E. State St., Rockford, IL, 61104
About
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford appointed Alesia Jones, PhD, as assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in March 2021. She is also an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and serves as the director of behavioral science for the Family Medicine Residency.
A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Jones provides behavioral health services at the UI Health Mile Square Health Center–L.P. Johnson Rockford. She provides evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders and specializes in the treatment of PTSD and depression among victims of crime and other stressful life events. She also facilitates the behavioral science curriculum for the family medicine residency program which includes education on mental disorders, cultural awareness training, patient-doctor communication and relationship building.
In her role as assistant dean, Dr. Jones works with the Associate Dean for Advocacy and Engagement to design and implement initiatives that embrace and celebrate the unique experiences that each person brings to the Rockford campus. Recognizing that our communities are enriched by individuals from different places, backgrounds, family structures, and by those who hold various religious beliefs, the COM allows us to grow stronger and learn from one another to achieve maximal growth and health for all.
An accomplished researcher, Dr. Jones has published and presented research focused on the relationship between trauma (e.g., interpersonal, racial, homicide survivorship) and subsequent psychological, emotional and behavioral consequences of trauma exposure. Her research also includes examination of healthcare delivery to trauma-exposed individuals and improving the identification and response within the context of primary care.
Dr. Jones has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her research, clinical work and teaching including the UICOMR Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award, the Robert Magwood, Jr Award for Outstanding Service to Crime Victims and 2011 Rockford YWCA Women of Achievement, Professions Award. She has been awarded grants and scholarships from from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, University of Illinois, and the Medical University of South Carolina to study the relationship between violence exposure and mental health sequelae. She is also interested in improving healthcare delivery to violence exposed populations. She has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to trauma and present on violence exposure and mental health at national and local conferences.
Prior to joining the UICOMR in 2009, Dr. Jones completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina focused on the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress among the civilian population.
Areas of Interest
- Identification of family and interpersonal violence in primary care
- Mental health disparities among ethnic/racial minorities and impoverished communities
- Community violence and homicide survivorship
- Violence prevention research
- Workshops and presentations on adolescent and adult violence exposure
Selected Publications
Fleischman, M., & Jones, A. (2018). The impact of practice changes in a family medicine residency clinic on provider and staff engagement and perception of job
Philipp, A. T., Jones, A. H., Zeitz, H., & Yusin, J. S. (2016). Adolescent asthmatics’ use of the internet and other management strategies. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 137(2), AB99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2015.12.449
Education
PhD, Clinical Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 2007
Medical College of Georgia/VAMC Residency Consortium Predoctoral internship
Postdoctoral fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center