Sarah GimbelPhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
She, Her, Hers
Professor
Director, UW Center for Global Health Nursing
Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing
Centers for Research Excellence
- Center for Global Health Nursing
Profile
Professor
Director, UW Center for Global Health Nursing
Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Health
I specialize in the dynamic field of implementation science, focusing on developing and evaluating scalable models, tools, and approaches to enhance the quality and reach of clinical care services. With over 25 years of experience working in resource-limited countries, including six years as a technical advisor for AIDS treatment expansion with the Mozambican Ministry of Health, I bring extensive expertise to my work.
As a methodologist, I utilize systems engineering approaches across various clinical areas, including HIV/AIDS, cardiometabolic diseases, and substance use disorders. Currently, I lead or co-lead three R01 projects: one in Mozambique (R01HL142412), one in Kenya (R01CA258590), and one in King County, WA (R01NR021102). I also co-investigator a large multi-site trial in Mozambique (UH3HL156390) and act as co-I on an implementation trial in South Africa (R01NR020866).
I am always open to exploring novel applications of systems engineering tools to improve frontline care delivery, enhance staff engagement, and strengthen agency.
Areas of Interest
- Research Interests: implementation science, implementation research, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, carceral health, Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), CQI
Research Interests
- Health Equity
- Innovative Interventions
Degrees & Education
- Ph.D., University of Washington, 2013
- MPH, University of Washington, 2008
- B.S.N., University of Washington, 2001
- B.A., Kenyon College, 1993
Professional Licensures & Certifications
- Registered Nurse, 2001
Journal Articles
- 2026. "Applying FRAME-IS to characterize provider-led adaptations to a cervical cancer prevention intervention in Kenya." Implementation science communications 7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-026-00883-5 - 2026. "Mathematical modeling to assess health and economic impact of cardiovascular interventions and implementation strategies among people living with HIV: SAIA HTN." Implementation science communications 7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-026-00887-1 - 2026. "Cost of an Audit and Feedback intervention to increase uptake of maternal and child health services in Mozambique's Primary health care." Implementation science communications 7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-026-00881-7 - 2025. "Barriers and facilitators to implementing a single-visit, screen-and-treat approach with thermal ablation for cervical cancer prevention in Kenya." PLOS global public health 5. e0005166.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0005166 - 2025. "Exploring fidelity and its influence on effectiveness in an audit and feedback strategy implemented in a low-resource setting: an application of regression modeling." Implementation science communications 7. 19.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00840-8 - 2025. "Can audit and feedback improve health service readiness and delivery outcomes in a low-resource setting? Effectiveness results of the IDEAs strategy from central Mozambique." PLOS global public health 5. e0004216.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004216 - 2025. "Evolution of a Post-Overdose Outreach Program in King County, Washington: Lessons Learned Through Continuous Quality Improvement." Prehospital emergency care 29. 546-549.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2024.2399214 - 2025. "Examining and classifying reasons for missing viral loads among adults living with HIV: An extended outcome investigation and ascertainment approach in Western Kenya." PLOS global public health 5. e0004038.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004038 - 2025. "Optimizing healthcare for blood donors at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections: pre-implementation mixed methods protocol." Global health action 18. 2540685.
https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2540685 - 2025. ""Though there are some challenges, we try our best to follow the guidelines": a qualitative study exploring determinants of providing guideline-adherent care to hospitalized children in Kenya." Implementation science communications 6. 110.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00790-1 - 2025. "Organisational factors associated with implementing action plans informed by routine health information system data in Mozambique: longitudinal analyses, 2016-2020." BMJ global health 10.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019975 - 2024. "Systems analysis and improvement approach to optimize tuberculosis (SAIA-TB) screening, treatment, and prevention in South Africa: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial." Implementation science communications 5. 40.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-024-00582-z - 2024. "Determinants of translating routine health information system data into action in Mozambique: a qualitative study." BMJ global health 9.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-014970 - 2024. "Implementation outcomes of the integrated district evidence to action (IDEAs) program to reduce neonatal mortality in central Mozambique: an application of the RE-AIM evaluation framework." BMC health services research 24. 164.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10638-4 - 2024. "Scaling-up and scaling-out the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach to optimize the hypertension diagnosis and care cascade for HIV infected individuals (SCALE SAIA-HTN): a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial." Implementation science communications 5. 27.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-024-00564-1 - 2024. "Posttrial Experiences in Sustainment of a Scaled Model of the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA-SCALE) in the Absence of External Funding in Manica Province, Mozambique." Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 97. 203-207.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000003510 - 2024. "Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact Analysis of the Implementation of Differentiated Service Delivery Models for HIV Treatment in Mozambique: a Modelling Study." Journal of the International AIDS Society 27. e26275.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26275 - 2024. "Systems analysis and improvement to optimize opioid use disorder care quality and continuity for patients exiting jail (SAIA-MOUD)." Implementation science : IS 19. 80.
- 2023. ""We should be resourcing their liberation:" a qualitative formative study to guide introduction of a systems engineering intervention at a King County, WA juvenile detention center clinic." BMC health services research 23. 881.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09809-6 - 2023. "Implementation and scale-up of a single-visit, screen-and-treat approach with thermal ablation for sustainable cervical cancer prevention services: a protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in Kenya." Implementation science : IS 18. 26.
- 2023. "Impact of differentiated service delivery models on 12-month retention in HIV treatment in Mozambique: an interrupted time-series analysis." The lancet. HIV 10. e674-e683.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(23)00184-4 - 2022. "Providing "a beam of light to see the gaps": determinants of implementation of the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach applied to the pediatric and adolescent HIV cascade in Kenya." Implementation science communications 3. 73.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-022-00304-3 - 2022. "Evaluation of Women's Empowerment in a Community-Based Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling Social Entrepreneurship Program (Hope Project) in Peru: A Mixed-Method Study." Frontiers in public health 10. 858552.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.858552 - "Current Practices and Nurse Readiness to Implement Standardized Screening for Commercially and Sexually Exploited Individuals in Emergency Departments in Western Washington Hospitals." Advanced emergency nursing journal 44. 322-332.
https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000427
Reviews
- 2023. "Refining the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework for data use at the local level: An integrative review." PloS one.
Classes
- G H 600: Independent Study or Research
- G H 700: Master's Thesis
- G H 701: Master's Capstone
- G H 800: Doctoral Dissertation
- NMETH 594: Innovations in Health Systems Delivery: Implementation and Measurement
- NURS 610: Teaching Practicum
Grants
- Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach to Optimize the Hypertension Diagnosis and Care Cascade for HIV-infected Individuals (SAIA-HTN), National Institutes of Health
- Training in Infectious Diseases in Peru – Time for Implementation Research, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
- Implementation of ring strategy for community-engaged control of neurocysticercosis, Oregon Health & Science University
- SAIA-TB: Using the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA) to prevent TB in rural South Africa, Trustees of Boston College
- Systems analysis and improvement to optimize opioid use disorder care quality and continuity for patients exiting jail (SAIA-MOUD), National Institute of Nursing Research
- Systems Analysis and Improvement to optimize Medication for Opioid Use Disorder services between jail and community settings (SAIA-MOUD), Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation
- Scaling Out and Scaling Up the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach to Optimize the Hypertension Diagnosis and Care Cascade for HIV-infected Individuals (SCALE SAIA HTN), Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research
- Systems Analysis and Improvement to Optimize Health Outcomes for Incarcerated Youth in Washington State (SAIA-Juv), Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
- Systems Analysis and Improvement to Optimize Health Outcomes for Incarcerated Youth in Washington State (SAIA-Juv), Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation