Dr. Lauren Clark

Biography

Dr. Lauren Clark is a Professor at the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and holds the Shapiro Family Endowed Chair in Developmental Disabilities Studies. With a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, her research interests span several critical areas including health-related quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and preventive health care in the context of reproductive health. Dr. Clark’s innovative work has led to the creation of a health-related quality of life measure tailored to the unique needs of this population, which is utilized by clinicians and researchers globally. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, she focuses on improving training and competence among nurses regarding interaction with families of children with disabilities, enhancing care and fulfilling mandated reporting responsibilities. Her distinguished career is marked by numerous honors including the Jo Eleanor Elliott Leadership Award and recognition as a Fellow in various prestigious nursing academies. She has been instrumental in promoting informed decision-making among women with intellectual disabilities on reproductive health matters. Her contributions significantly advance the field of nursing and advocate for the rights and health of marginalized populations.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards