Robin Fenn, PhD, LICSW

Dr. Fenn’s academic experience includes teaching research, program evaluation and statistics as well as addictions, counseling skills and policy to undergraduate and graduate students including medical students and fellows. Dr. Fenn has a diverse and strong background within the broader healthcare system. She has served as the chief executive officer of a public hospital district in addition to conducting research on the frequent utilization of the crisis response system. She is passionate about designing, implementing and evaluating community health, medical education and clinical evaluation projects. Additionally, she has over 20 years of experience in providing behavioral health and addictions counseling to individuals and families. By creating teaching spaces that are fun, real, relevant and respectful, her teaching philosophy focuses on fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills to better prepare students for their post-graduation.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs, August 2004 

• Major Areas of Concentration:
  • Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis
  • Organizational Psychology
  • Public Administration

Master of Science in Social Work, December 1994

Bachelor of Social Work, May 1993 

Associate of Applied Science in Community Services Technology, May 1990 

Publications List

Peer Reviewed:  

• McCarty, R.L., Zarn, J., Fenn, R. & Collins, R.  (2015.)  Frequent ED utilizers:  A case management program to address patient needs.  Nursing Management, 46(9), 24-31.
• Adler, P. & Fenn, R.  (2015.)  Public/private collaboration to improve health:  Simple—not easy.  Washington Healthcare News, September 8, 2015.
• McCarty, R., Fenn, R., Gaster, B., Weber, W., and Guiltinan, J.  (2011.)   Building bridges: Qualitative assessment of a clinical faculty exchange between a naturopathic and an allopathic medical training program.  Explore:  The Journal of Science and Healing, 7(4), 249-253.
• Scott, E.G., Luxmore, B., Alexander, H., Fenn, R., and Christopher, N.  (2006.) Screening for adolescent depression in a pediatric emergency department.  Academic Emergency Medicine, 13 (5), 537-542.
• Sinha, M., Christopher, N., Fenn, R., and Reeves, L.  (2006.) Evaluation of non-pharmacological methods of pain and anxiety management for laceration repair in the pediatric emergency department.  Pediatrics, 117 (4), 1162-1168.
• Sinha, M., Salness, R., Foster, K. N., Fenn, R., and Hannasch, C.  (2006.)  Accidental foot burns in children from contact with naturally heated surfaces during summer months: Experience from a regional burn center.  The Journal of Trauma, 61 (4), 975-979.

Government/Community Health Papers:

• Fenn, R.  (2020.)  The Role of the City of Lynnwood in Access to and Affordability of Primary Care, Behavioral Health Care and Dental Health Services:  Results of Consumer Focus Group and Key Stakeholder Interviews.  City of Lynnwood Human Services Commission, Lynnwood, WA.
• Fenn, R.  (2019.)  Needs of Inmates at the City of Lynnwood Jail:  Inmate Responses to the 2019 Lynnwood Human Services Survey.  City of Lynnwood Human Services Commission, Lynnwood, WA.
• Fenn, R.  (2016.)  The Use of the Ohio Risk Assessment System: Pretrial Assessment Tool (ORAS-PAT) and the Fenn-Jorstad Self Sufficiency Matrix by the Therapeutic Alternatives to Prosecution (TAP) Program. Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R. (2016.)  Impact of City of Seattle Inmates at the Snohomish County Jail on Municipal Arrests and Crisis Service Utilization Post-Release.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R.  (2016.)  Chronic Utilizer Alternative Response Team:  Initial Evaluation.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Marti, N., Fenn, R., Yale, S. & Tolles Jones, P.  (2016.)  Therapeutic Alternatives to Prosecution (TAP) Program Evaluation.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R.  (2016.)  Snohomish County Mental Health Court:  Evaluation of Results to Date. Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Fraley, G., Marti, N., Burchill, W., McLachlan, C. & Fenn, R.  (2016.)  Marijuana Use in Snohomish County:  Use and Treatment Trends.  Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County Human Services Department.  Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R.  & Jorstad, J.  (2016.)  The Fenn-Jorstad Self Sufficiency Matrix.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.  (U.S. Copyright # TXU 1-980-754)
• Serafin, M. & Fenn, R.  (2015.)  Heroin in Snohomish County:  Mortality and Treatment Trends.  Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County Human Services Department.  Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R.  (2013.)  Characteristics of Youth Clients in Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment in Snohomish County:  A Ten Year Review. Information Brief No. 1-2013. Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Mc Carty, R. & Fenn, R.  (2013.)  Frequent Utilization of Emergency Medical Services Associated with Complex Needs for Health Services Including Mental Health and Substance Abuse.  Policy Brief No. 2-2013.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Fenn, R.  & McCarty, R.  (2013.)   High Utilization of the Snohomish County Triage Center (SCTC) Suggests Need for Policy Changes and Increased Community Capacity for Those Residents with Crisis Mental Health Issues.  Policy Brief No. 3-2013.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.
• Mc Carty, R. & Fenn, R.  (2013.)  EMS Service Providers Report Psychiatric Concerns and Substance Use as Most Common Clinical Impression.  Policy Brief No. 4-2013.  Snohomish County Human Services Department, Everett, WA.

Awards and Honors

• Seattle Storm Honorary Coach/Swedish Hospitals, June 2018
• Service Recognition Award for Affiliate Faculty, University of Washington Bothell School of Nursing and Health Studies, April 2016.
• Invited Respondent, “Better Health Care and Lower Costs:  Accelerating Improvement through Systems Engineering,” by a working group comprised of members of the United State President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST).  University of Washington Bothell, December 2014
• Selected participant, Early Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar, American Association of Medical Colleges and Harvard Medical School, December 2005
• Fellow in Master Teachers Guild, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, appointed August 2005
• Recipient of the Society of Directors of Research in Medical Education Invited Proposal Award, November 2004

Professional Associations

Current:  

• Sound Foundation for Public Health, Founding Board Member, Snohomish County, WA
• University of Washington Bothell School of Nursing/Health Studies Advisory Board, Bothell, WA
• Community Health Center of Snohomish County, Board of Directors, Everett, WA

Former:

• Leadership Snohomish County Board of Directors, Everett, WA  (Secretary and Vice Chair)
• Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition, Everett, WA
• YMCA of Snohomish County Board of Trustees, Everett, WA
• North Sound Accountable Community of Health Board of Directors, Mt. Vernon, WA (Chair)

Current projects or papers

• Promotion of student advocacy in health policy
• System response to frequent utilizers of the crisis response system
• First responder mental health
• Role of municipal government in health