Jessica Bridgman, MPH

About

Jessica Bridgman, MPH RDN LDN is a Child Care and Communities Specialist with the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI) for the ENRICH Carolinas initiative. Her primary role is supporting Early Care Educators and professionals as they navigate implementation of breastfeeding friendly child care practices. Previous experience includes 5 years with the NC Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), where she also coordinated the NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designation (NC BFCCD). She served as an external reviewer for USDA resources including Feeding Infants in the CACFP and Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! She has 10 years of NIH-funded research experience at UNC-CH’s School of Nursing. Jessica served as a Research Dietitian for the HEALTHY Study: A School-Based Primary Prevention Trial for Type 2 Diabetes; as well as Project Manager for two R01 grants, including a randomized controlled trial exploring end-of-life decision making for end-stage kidney disease patients.

Service Activities

North Carolina Division of Public Health, Emerging Professionals, Executive Committee (2018-2019)

Key Publications

Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Prenatal Breastfeeding Education Curriculum Adapted for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ready, Set, Baby Live COVID-19 Edition. . Wouk, K., Parry, K.C., Bridgman, J., Palmquist, A.E.L., Perkins, M., Smetana, A., Woods-Barr, A., Sullivan, C.S. (2023). Journal of Perinatal Education, 32(1), 48-66.

Depressive symptom severity, contributing factors, and self-management among chronic dialysis patients. Song, M.K., Ward, S., Hladik, G., Bridgman, J., & Gilet, C.  (2016). Hemodialysis International, 20(2), 286-292.

Advance care planning and end-of-life decision making in dialysis: A randomized controlled trial targeting patients and their surrogates. Song, M.K., Ward, S., Fine, J.P., Hanson, L.C., Lin, F-C., Hladik, G.A., Hamilton, J.B., & Bridgman, J.C. (2015). American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 66(5), 813-822.

Patient-reported cognitive functioning and daily functioning in chronic dialysis patients. Song, M.K., Ward, S., Weiner, L., Bridgman, J., Hladik, G., & Gilet, C. (2015). Hemodialysis International, 19(1), 90-99.

A systematic evaluation of websites offering information on Chronic Kidney Disease. Lutz, E., Costello, K., Jo, M., Gilet, C., Hawley, J., Bridgman, J., & Song, M.K. (2014). Nephrology Nursing, 41(4), 355-364.

Depressive symptoms and self-management among chronic dialysis patients. Song, M.K., Ward, S., Bridgman, J., Gilet, C., & Hladik, G. (2014). Journal of American Society of Nephrology.

Staff/Administrative Duties

Jessica provides technical assistance and training on implementation of the Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care for Early Care and Education (ECE) professionals and ECE Technical Assistance providers.

Education