Penny Karakitsou
Senior Lecturer
Biography
Penny Karakitsou is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health within the Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Society at the University of Chester, UK. With over 17 years of extensive experience in the nursing profession, she has developed a versatile skill set, excelling in various clinical departments, including emergency care, community health, and surgical nursing. Throughout her career, Penny has demonstrated a profound commitment to patient care and education, which is reflected in her role as a mentor to numerous student nurses, providing them with invaluable guidance and support as they prepare for their future careers in healthcare. Before her tenure at Chester University, Penny worked as a pre-assessment nurse, where she focused on patient empowerment through comprehensive education about their health conditions and treatment options. Her dedication to proactive patient engagement not only enhanced the pre-operative experience for many patients but also fostered a greater understanding of their healthcare choices. Through her teaching and mentorship, Penny continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, emphasising the importance of compassionate care and the role of public health in improving community well-being.
Teaching and Supervision
Penny Karakitsou is a dedicated educator in the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme and the Post-Graduate Diploma Programme for Public Health Nurses. With a focus on equipping future public health professionals with essential knowledge and skills, she leads the comprehensive modules on Communicable Diseases in Public Health, where students explore the complexities of disease transmission, prevention strategies, and public health interventions. Additionally, Penny teaches the module on Advancing Community Practice through Research, Audit, and Quality Improvement, emphasising the importance of evidence-based practice in enhancing community health outcomes. Beyond her teaching responsibilities, she plays a critical role in the Dissertation module, guiding master's students through the research process as they develop and complete their dissertations. Her expertise and mentorship are invaluable, as she supports students in refining their research questions and methodologies, ensuring their projects make meaningful contributions to the field of public health. Penny is committed to fostering a learning environment that promotes critical thinking, innovation, and a passion for improving public health practices.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Penny Karakitsou focuses her research on understanding the factors that influence childhood immunisation rates in low- and middle-income countries, along with exploring effective strategies to promote vaccination. Her work emphasises the importance of interventions that empower women, recognising their vital role in community health. Additionally, she has a keen interest in addressing mental health challenges among adolescents and the issue of teenage pregnancies. Penny is committed to the belief that improving childhood vaccination rates and enhancing women's empowerment can result in significant positive transformations within these communities.