Graduate Spotlight: Jarrah Al-Kayed, PhD, MSN, RN
The BH WELL team is proud to recognize Dr. Jarrah Al-Kayed as he graduates from UK with his PhD in Nursing. Dr. Al-Kayed successfully defended his dissertation ““Workplace Violence, Risky Alcohol Use, and Physical Activity Among Nurses” on April 13, 2026. Dr. Al-Kayed has been a Graduate Research Assistant with the BH WELL team, working on several projects focused on telehealth among Medicaid beneficiaries, in evaluating access, adherence, and utilization among individuals with mental health challenges. His role on these projects involved data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation, all aimed at improving the wellbeing and care of the Medicaid population.
Dr. Al-Kayed chose to pursue a PhD in Nursing because he wanted to contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge, improve patient care, and strengthen the professional development of nurses. He is passionate about implementing research into practice by improving evidence-based practice, with a keen interest in equipping the next generation of nurses with evidence-based practice. Pursuing a PhD has allowed Dr. Al-Kayed to combine his clinical experience with research, focusing on meaningful questions that can impact healthcare practice and policy.
During his time at UK, Dr. Al-Kayed has developed a strong passion for nursing workforce wellbeing, trauma-informed care, and the impact of high-stress clinical environments on healthcare professionals. He is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting other nurses, particularly new graduates, and fostering interprofessional collaboration to improve patient care and staff development.
During his time with BH WELL, Dr. Al-Kayed enjoyed working on the telehealth study on mental health access and utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries, because it allowed him to see the real-world impact of research on improving care for vulnerable populations. He enjoyed analyzing the data, discussing findings with the team, and identifying strategies to enhance wellbeing. This project was especially meaningful to him as it combined his passion for evidence-based practice with practical solutions that can help improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
BH WELL Executive Director, Dr. Zim Okoli, shares, “Dr. Al-Kayed has a keen sense of using data to drive decisions to improve the care of vulnerable patient populations and healthcare workers at risk for substance use disorders. His research promises to positively impact the lives of many by breaking down the walls of stigma surrounding substance use disorders and fostering help seeking among those at risk. We look forward to the long-term impact of his training and passion in this area to enhance behavioral health environments.”
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Al-Kayed shared, “Being part of the BH WELL team has been incredibly meaningful. It has given me the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated, interdisciplinary group, benefiting from the strong guidance and support of the team. I have appreciated the emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and flexibility in our work systems, which allowed me to contribute effectively while learning from others. My time with BH WELL has strengthened my commitment to evidence-based practice, professional development, and fostering positive change in the nursing field, while showing me the real-world impact that a supportive, collaborative team can have on staff wellbeing and patient care.”
Upon graduation, Dr. Al-Kayed plans to continue researching nursing workforce wellbeing, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health, while aiming to contribute meaningfully to the development of nursing knowledge. He intends to expand his research interests to include mental health and population health, exploring ways to improve care and outcomes for diverse populations. Additionally, Dr. Al-Kayed is passionate about teaching and mentoring nursing students, helping to build the next generation of nurses who can combine skills and knowledge based on evidence-based practice. Ultimately, he strives to advance initiatives that enhance staff wellbeing, patient care, and nursing education, making a meaningful impact in both clinical and academic settings.
We thank Dr. Al-Kayed for his commitment to BH WELL and know his efforts will continue to advance the field of nursing!