Dr. Lori Modly is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Clinical Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University. With a DNP in Health Systems Leadership from Emory University, her work focuses on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly migrant farmworkers and pediatric groups. Dr. Modly is dedicated to integrating data-driven decision-making into clinical practice and advancing interprofessional education. She leads initiatives like the Nursing Excellence Scholarship and Technology (NEST) program, driving programmatic changes that enhance student success. Her research also explores the intersection of climate change and healthcare, aiming to mitigate health risks in underserved communities.

Mueller, K., Allstrom, H., Smith, D.J., Modly, L.A., & Downes, E. (2024) Climate change implications on practice: Pharmacologic considerations of heat related illness. The Nurse Practitioner.

Modly, L.A. (2024)  The emerging roles of AI in the pedagogical landscape.  AI in Education for Intersections.

Mizelle, E., Modly, L.A, Smith, D.J., (2024) Farmworker Acceptability of Backpack Hydration Systems. Journal of Agromedicine WAGR. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2024.2349022.

Brady, J., Mizelle, E., Modly, L., Smith, A., Bradford, E., Mac, V., Ferranti, E., & Smith, D.J.

(2024). Training Nursing Students on Heat Related Illness First Aid to Protect Farmworkers. Journal of Nursing Education. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001588

Modly, L.A., & Smith, D. (2022). The need for data management standards in public health nursing: A narrative review and case study. Public Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13066

Chicas, R., Elon, L., Houser, H., Mutic, A., Ignacio Gallegos, E., Smith, D., Modly, L.A., Xiuhtecutli, N., Hertzberg, V., Flocks, J., Sands, J., & McCauley, L. (2021). The Health Status of Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01326-0

Book Chapters

1Smith, D.J., Mizelle, L., & Modly, L.A. (2023). “Climate change and outdoor worker health: The role of the nurse.” McDermott-Levy, R., Jackson-Murphy, K.P., Leffers, J., & Cantu, A.G. (eds.) Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments: Environmental health in nursing. (3rd ed., pp. 303-308). Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.

Meadows, A., Masunaga, C., Allen, L., Slaughter, I, Plattel, C., Modly, L.A. (2023). “Social determinants of health and intersectionality: Utilizing literature and artistic expression to examen barriers to wellness in a pre-licensure nursing program” Hamilton, J., McCauley, L. & Swan, B. (eds.) Integrating a social determinants of health framework into nursing education (143-147) Springer.

Professional development modules & toolkits

Community Heat  (2024). Developed in conjunction with Global Nurses Working Group (GNWG) as a part of Consortium of Universities for Global Health. Under review

Knowledge of Heat-Related Illness First Aid and Self-Reported Hydration and Heat-Related Illness

Symptoms in Migrant Farmworkers-Disaster Research Response (DR2) Resources Portal. HRI Toolkit (2024). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.   https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/dr2/index.cfm/resource/24445 

Health Literacy Continuing Education, (2023). Nursing professional Development Module, Emory Nursing Continuing Education Module, funded by CAPES Academy.

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Dr. Lori Modly's teaching philosophy, as an Assistant Clinical Professor in nursing, emphasizes experiential learning, interprofessional education, and critical thinking. Her clinical experience as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and involvement in community health initiatives, particularly with migrant farmworkers, deeply inform her approach.

Dr. Modly believes effective learning happens when students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. This belief shapes her development of courses like the Farm Worker Family Health Program, where students gain hands-on experience in culturally competent care. By integrating service-learning projects, she bridges the gap between classroom instruction and clinical practice, preparing students to be adaptable and compassionate healthcare providers.

In a complex healthcare environment, adaptability and collaboration are essential. Dr. Modly fosters interprofessional collaboration, exemplified by her work with Emory Nursing’s Mobile Opportunities for Training and Innovating: Nursing (Emory in MOTION). She equips students with the skills to work effectively in interprofessional teams within mobile settings, meeting patients in their communities.

Dr. Modly also emphasizes critical thinking and innovation in nursing education. She encourages students to engage with current research and consider broader social determinants of health, preparing them to address emerging healthcare challenges. Her student-centered mentorship further supports academic and professional growth, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning.

Dr. Lori Modly’s research is dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly migrant farmworkers, pediatric groups, and nursing students. Her research focuses on addressing health disparities through innovative approaches in community health, data management, and climate change adaptation.

As Clinical Data Manager for the Farm Worker Family Health Program, Dr. Modly has developed systems to streamline data management, leading to more effective tracking of health outcomes and environmental exposures. This work provides critical insights into the social determinants of health in underserved communities.

Through her leadership in the Nursing Excellence Scholarship and Technology (NEST) program, she has implemented data-driven approaches that have resulted in significant programmatic changes, enhancing student support and academic outcomes.

Dr. Modly also explores the intersection of climate change, pharmacology, and healthcare delivery. Her research aims to develop strategies that mitigate health risks posed by extreme weather, particularly for outdoor workers. Her work is characterized by its practical application, focus on vulnerable populations, and commitment to fostering innovation in healthcare delivery, contributing to the development of more equitable health systems globally.

2024 Provost Excellence in Graduate Education
Emory University Atlanta, GA

2023 Excellence in Innovation
NHWSN Atlanta, GA

2018 High Five Teaching Award
NHWSN Atlanta, GA