Dr. Rachel Neff Greenley is a Professor in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Greenley obtained her PhD in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in clinical child psychology, from Loyola University Chicago. She completed an internship in Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology at Lurie Children’s Hospital and a fellowship in Child Behavioral Health Research and Pediatric Psychology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

She joined the faculty of RFUMS in 2009. Her research interests focus on youth and family adjustment in the context of acute and chronic pediatric chronic illnesses. Dr. Greenley teaches courses in Statistics, Health Psychology, Research Methods, and Child and Adolescent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Dr. Greenley will be reviewing applications for the PhD program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please note that to remain unbiased in the review of applications and to be equitable across all applicants, it is our department’s policy to not meet individually with applicants prior to our PhD Interview Day. However, if you have a specific question that cannot be answered through our webpage and would influence your decision to apply, you are welcome to reach out with brief questions.

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Research

My research interests center on understanding factors that contribute to optimal psychosocial and physical functioning among youth affected by acute or chronic medical conditions and their families. In particular, I am interested in the role of individual, familial, and health professional systems in promoting positive adjustment, adherence to treatment and self-management skill development among youth, adolescents, and emerging adults with chronic medical conditions. My research interests include both descriptive studies to better understand factors that promote optimal functioning, as well as intervention studies to evaluate the efficacy of programs to enhance adherence and promote positive adjustment.

Recent Publications

• *Lampert-Okin, S. L., *Rintell, L. S., Billings, L. K., Tucker, L., Kichler, J. C., & Greenley, R. N. (2024). The role of patient–physician symmetry in influencing diabetes-related distress among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. Advance online publication.
• *Howe, M. M., Miller, S. A., Tran, S., Buscemi, J., Bugno, L., & Greenley, R. N. (2024). Examining the psychometric properties of the CEFIS-AYA using item response theory. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 49(12), 856-865.
• *Macaulay, T., Buscemi, J., Miller, S., Tran, S., & Greenley, R. N. (2024). Associations between tripartite dimensions of internalizing symptoms and transition readiness in a sample of emerging adults with and without chronic physical health conditions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 49(11), 840–849.
• *Chirica M., *Carreon, S., Tran, S., Buscemi, J., Greenley, R. N., Tran, S. T., & Miller, S. (2024). Changes in tripartite dimensions of anxiety and depression in emerging adults before and during COVID-19. Journal of »ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ College Health, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2409678
• *Bieniak, K. H., *Bedree, H., *Geanous, N., Greenley, R. N., Miller, S. A., Buscemi, J., & Tran, S. T. (2024). Thematic analysis of COVID-19’s impacts on transitions among emerging adults. Health Care Transitions, 2, 100052, DOI:
• *Lampert-Okin, S., *Howe, M., & Greenley, R. N. (2023). Clinically significant psychological distress is associated with poorer physical health in adolescents and young adults with IBD. Children's Health Care. 1-20, DOI:
• *Lampert, S. L., *Feldman, E. C., *Durkin, L. K., Davies, W. H., Greenley, R. N. (2022). Medication adherence among emerging adults: The influence of provider communication and patient personality. Children's Health Care, 51(1), 101-117.
• *Howe, M. M., *Feldman, E., *Lampert, S. L., *Kenney, A. E., Davies, W. H., & Greenley, R. N. (2021). Caregiver perceptions of importance of COVID-19 preventative health guidelines and difficulty following guidelines are associated with child adherence rates. Families, Systems & Health, 39(4), 632–637.
• *Feldman, E.C.H., *Durkin, L.K, *Bugno, L., Davies, W.H, Miller, S. A., & Greenley, R.N. (2021). Communication about Medication by Providers-Adolescent and Young Adult Version: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 46(5), 599–608.
• *Feldman, E. C. H., *Durkin L.K , & Greenley, R. N. (2021). Family support is associated with fewer adherence barriers and greater intent to adhere to oral medications in pediatric IBD. Journal of Pediatric Nursing,60, 58-64.

*Denotes a student author.

Current Projects

Patient-Healthcare Professional Communication and Medication Adherence. We have several ongoing projects in this area. First, we have an ongoing data collection initiative aimed at better understanding how students in various health professional clinical disciplines communicate with patients around medication taking and factors that explain variability in communication practices. Round one of data collection is complete and data coding and analysis is ongoing. Round two of data collection is scheduled for fall/winter 2025. Second, we are in the process of developing an intervention to enhance health professional student comfort and skill in assessment of medication nonadherence. We hope to begin piloting this intervention during 2026. Broadly, these projects seek to better understand strengths and weaknesses in patient-health professional communication and to use descriptive information to inform the development of interventions to improve communication and intervention skills as a method of enhancing medication adherence.

Parent Trauma Symptoms in Response to Youth PICU Admission. In collaboration with an interprofessional team of researchers at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and Medical College of Wisconsin, we are conducting a project to examine cognitive risk factors for parent trauma symptoms in a sample of parents whose children were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Data collection is ongoing, and planned study expansions include the addition of a sample of parents recruited from the community. The long-term goal of this program of research is to better understand how to prevent parental post traumatic stress symptoms via delivery of brief interventions during the child’s hospital stay.

Experience of Spanish Speaking Caregivers of Children Hospitalized in the PICU. In collaboration with an interprofessional team of researchers at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and Medical College of Wisconsin, we are carrying out a mixed-methods study to investigate experiences of Spanish-speaking caregivers in order to determine whether certain experiences or cognitions associated with the child’s PICU admission are linked with greater caregiver distress and to better understand the unique experiences of Spanish-speaking caregivers.

Current Students

	Hunter Crowton, BA Hunter is a 2nd year student in the M.S. program. His research interests broadly include studying the traumatic effects of adverse childhood experiences within pediatric populations, their impact on relationships and personal resilience, as well as the modulating impact of linguistic and cultural factors. Additionally, he is interested in research pursuing pediatric neuropsychology, specifically within a multicultural framework. This year he is completing a practicum at Pioneer Center for Child and Family Therapy. In his free time, he loves finding new dishes to cook, binge-watching shows with his wife, and giving his puppy far too many treats.
	Erin Flynn, BA Erin is a 2nd year student in the PhD program. Her research interests broadly include stress and coping within children and adolescents, as well as the impact of family dynamics on mental and physical health outcomes within pediatric populations. This year, Erin is completing a practicum at Josselyn Center. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the northern neighborhoods of Chicago, running by the lake, and drinking too much coffee.
	Emma Gaydos, BA Emma is a 1st year student in the PhD program. Her research interests broadly center around the relationships between health and trauma in adolescents, young adults, and caregivers of medically complex children. Specifically, she is interested in a) resilience and risk factors surrounding medical trauma and b) investigating biopsychosocial mechanisms through which trauma impacts health. Additionally, she is passionate about addressing barriers to access for mental healthcare. In her free time, Emma can be found writing, playing tennis, hiking, and going on adventures with her dog.
	Petula Grant, BA Petula is a post-bac volunteer research assistant who has helped on several research projects within the lab. Her research interests broadly involve medication adherence and psychosocial factors related to coping with chronic health conditions. In her free time, Petula can be found hiking, enjoying Lake Michigan, and spending time with her cat.
	Meghan Howe, MS Meghan is a 6th year student in the PhD program. She is currently completing an internship in pediatric neurorehabilitation at CHildren’s Hospital of Colorado.
	Sara Lampert-Okin, MS Sara is a 5th year student in the PhD program. She is currently completing an internship in pediatric psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
	Sophia Rintell, MS Sophia is a 3rd year student in the PhD program. She is interested in psychosocial outcomes associated with chronic illness and medical complexity in children and families. Specifically, she is interested in medication adherence, caregiver well-being, family/caregiver-based interventions targeting adjustment to illness, and research methods inclusive of individuals who speak languages other than English. This year, Sophia is completing a practicum in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy at The University of Chicago Medical Center. Sophia is getting to know Chicago one coffee shop, bakery, or pizza parlor at a time. She enjoys biking by the lake, cooking for friends, and listening to live music in her free time.

Alumni

Pediatric Psychology or Pediatric Neuropsychology:

• Estée Hoy Feldman
  
  • Internship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
  • Fellowship: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• Lindsey Bugno, PhD
  • Internship: Indiana University School of Medicine/Riley Children’s Hospital
  • Fellowship: Northwest Suburban Psychology Group (pediatric neuropsychology)
• Samantha Carreon, PhD
  • Internship: Children’s Hospital Boston
  • Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital
• Eve Nguyen, PhD
  • Internship: Kennedy Krieger Institute
  • Fellowship: Children’s Hospital Orange County
• Jill Plevinsky, PhD
  • Internship: Brown University School of Medicine
  • Fellowship: Cinicinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• Natasha Poulopoulos, PhD
  • Internship: Jackson Miami Medical Center
  • Fellowship: Children’s Hospital Boston
• Molly Thomason, PhD
  • Internship: University of New Mexico
  • Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital (pediatric neuropsychology)
• Jennifer Walter PhD
  • Internship: University of New Mexico
  • Fellowship: Neuropsychological Services of New Mexico (pediatric neuropsychology)
• Andrea Wojtowicz, PhD
  • Internship: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Fellowship: Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Health Psychology:

• Amitha Gumidayala, PhD
  • Internship: VA Palo Alto Health Care System
  • Fellowship: VA Palo Alto Health Care System
• Cassandra Kandah, PhD
  • Internship: Lovell Federal Health Care Center
  • Fellowship: Loyola University Medical Center
• Jessica Naftaly, PhD
  • Internship: Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
  • Fellowship: Michigan Medicine