Kendra Koch, PhD earned a Master of Arts in Counseling and worked clinically as a counselor for several years before earning a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work in 2017. In her role at Dell Medical School, Koch leads the Outcomes in Pediatric Neurosciences (OPeN) research support team in the pediatric neurosciences program within the Department of Neurology, where she and the OPeN team support research for pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and neuropsychology. Koch also holds an affiliate faculty position in the Department of Health Social Work.
Koch began her research role in 2012 as a PI on a study to evaluate a medical home clinic (Children’s Comprehensive Care Clinic, Austin) for children with medical complexity. In addition to collaborating to successfully fund the study, Kendra has successfully proposed and received MCHB/State of Texas research funding for development and dissemination of graduate-level curriculum about transitioning of Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (YSHCN) to adult care.
Kendra’s research interests include healthcare communication, care of families and children with medical complexity and life-limiting illness and their decision-making needs, emotional well-being, healthcare disparities, and meaning-making in illness. Koch has authored and co-authored curriculum, articles, and chapters that reflect her research interests and has taught at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The Value Institute for Health and Care at UT Dell Med School and the McCombs School of Business, and The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing.