Dr. Bernhardt is a nurse executive and family nurse practitioner in ambulatory nursing practice. She is currently the Director of Occupational Health Enterprise Clinical Services for Mass General Brigham. Jean has spent her career in leadership positions across community health centers, primary care, and elder services organizations. She received her PhD from the University of Massachusetts Boston; her MSN from the University of Virginia; and her BSN from Fitchburg State College. Jean is a licensed nursing home administrator. She has clinical expertise in substance use disorder, and humanitarian and disaster response. Dr. Bernhardt is an Associate Professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions where she teaches theory and leadership in the DNP program.

  • BSN, Nursing, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA 
  • MSN, Primary Care Nursing in Society, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 
  • MSHA, Health Services Administration, St. Joseph’s College, Windham, ME
  • PhD,  Nursing and Health Policy, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA

Research Interests

Her doctoral research focused on the influence of health insurance toward reducing obesity in young adults. Jean's areas of interest are strengthening the role of ambulatory care nursing, contributions of the nurse in the care of patients with substance use disorder, nurse leader development and practice, and executive leadership practice.

Presentations

2022 Naloxone and Addictions Care, American Osteopathic Association Annual Osteopathic Medical Education Conference, Boston, MA

2022 Bernhardt, J.M. & Benoit, E.B. Examination of Changes in Interprofessional Staff Perceptions of Role and Preparedness Throughout the COVID Pandemic, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland

2022 Bernhardt, J.M. & Benoit, E.B. Nurse Sensitive Indicators as a Framework for Office-Based Addiction Nursing Practice, American Academy of Ambulatory Nursing Care 47th Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV

2022 Bernhardt, J.M. & Benoit, E.B. Creating Nurse Leaders During the COVID-19 Pandemic, American Organization of Nurse Leaders, San Antonio, TX

2022 Evercare Group Hospitals Nurse Leadership Training, MGH Center for Global Health in Collaboration Evercare Southeast Asia & Africa, Boston, MA

Bernhardt, J.M., Chu, J., & Seelen, M. (2022, Oct/Dec). COVID-19 Clinics: How it all started. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 45(4).

Bernhardt, J.M. (2021, Oct 5). Nurse Sensitive Indicators in the Care of Patients with Opioid Use Disorder. Journal of Addictions Nursing. DOI:10.1097/JAN0000000000000431.

Bernhardt, J.M. & Benoit, E.B. (2021). Perceptions of Clinical Leaders’ Abilities to Lead COVID-19 Clinics. Nursing Management, 52(7), 9-12. DOI:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000754120.29685.44

Bernhardt, J.M., Chittle, M., Marden, J., & Sawicki, D. (2020, Dec. 17). COVID-19 pandemic creates new roles for advanced practice providers. The Clinical Advisor. https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/topics/infectious-diseases-information-center/roles-advanced-
practice-providers-covid-19-pandemic/4/

Bernhardt, J.M., (2020). Creating clinical nurse leaders in the midst of COVID- 19 outbreak. Nursing Management, 51(9):43-48. DOI:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000694872.75776.5b

Contact Information

Awards and Honors

Lorenzo Lewis Leadership Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2021

Charlestown Healthcare Center. For exemplary leadership and commitment to the community.

Primary Care Leadership Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2020

In recognition of being a superior visionary and an exceptional team member who is consulted by colleagues whenever difficult situations arise

Pat Kerrins Career Award for Dedication and Service to a Community Leader in Field of Health Care, 2010

Mary Lyon Foundation