Rachel French, PhD, MSHP, RN, is an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, where she is focused on improving care and outcomes for people with substance use disorders.

Her path to research was shaped by her early work as a nurse in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). “One patient became ill. Her OUD was in remission. She was hospitalized, treated poorly, stigmatized, pain and withdrawal were not managed, and she had a return to use,” French said. “If being hospitalized made her sicker, it made me think about my work in a very different way.”

Those experiences cemented her focus on hospital-based care for people who use drugs and a commitment to risk reduction approaches. “I’m really passionate about educating clinicians,” she said. “Right now I’m teaching at the Penn School of Nursing about opioids, and it’s amazing to see the reception from people.”

In addition to her teaching and research, French works per diem as a telehealth nurse with Ophelia, providing OUD treatment with buprenorphine remotely. “It’s an incredible model and I really get a lot from working with them,” she said. She also recently became a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and is expanding her research with a K23 proposal on improving hospital care for patients with substance use disorders with a focus on addressing the needs of patients not interested in treatment during hospitalization.

Outside of work, French recharges by prioritizing time outdoors. “Something that really energizes me, drives me, is being outside,” she said. Whether skiing, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia’s food scene, she makes space to stay balanced. At home, she enjoys playing “Ticket to Ride” with her husband, Michael, and recently welcomed a puppy named Roly. “He is the biggest bundle of joy in our lives,” she said.

As a C-DIAS Fellow, French is most excited about the opportunities to learn and connect. “My hopes for this fellowship are community and partners in professional development, especially around [the] implementation science piece,” she said.