Peninnah Kako, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, APNP

Dr. Kako joined University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) College of Nursing as a tenure-track faculty member in the fall of 2008 after completing her PhD in Nursing. Before joining UWM, Dr. Kako held multiple staff nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner positions in various health care facilities, in South Eastern Wisconsin. She was also the coordinator for community partnerships for a major health care system in South Eastern Wisconsin, where she helped develop a consortium model as a means of increasing health care access for underserved populations through school-based health clinics.

Dr. Kako maintains her clinical practice as a Nurse Practitioner where she takes pride in providing health care for underserved populations. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Kako received the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) a pre-doctoral individual fellowship sponsored by National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) division of the National Institute of Health (NIH) for her dissertation study on health needs of HIV-infected women in Kenya. Dr. Kako’s areas of research and expertise include improving health care access for underserved populations locally and internationally. Her research expertise and interests include health care access, Global Health research on women and HIV/AIDS, sub-Saharan Africa, using ethnographic and mixed methods approaches.

Education

Awards

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty (2016). The DAISY Foundation.

Current Research

Follow-Up Study of HIV Risk, Treatment Access and Illness Management among HIV-Infected Women in Rural and Urban Kenya
3 year follow up study
Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Anna

HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of Illness Over Time: An In-Depth Longitudinal Study of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
RGI funded study.
Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Galvao, Anna

Wisconsin Genomics Proposal
Kunert, Mary P, Buseh, Aaron G, Lundeen, Sally P, Kako, Peninnah, Millon-Underwood, Sandra, Beth Peterman, Shakoor Lee, Jean Bell Calvin, Suzanne Feetham

Contracts & Grants

Improving ART Adherence among Rural Women in Kenya
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Jennifer Kibicho, Peninnah Kako

Faculty Diversity Research Award for HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of Illness Over Time: An In-Depth Longitudinal Study of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
University of Wisconsin System Institute on Race and Ethnicity
Grant
Patricia Stevens, Peninnah Kako

Impact of HIV on the Lives of Women in KenyaUWM Center for International Education Faculty Travel Award to Implement Overseas Field Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Grant
Patricia Stevens, Peninnah Kako

HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of Illness Over Time: An In-Depth Longitudinal Study of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
UWM Research Growth Initiative
Grant
Patricia Stevens, Peninnah Kako

Faculty/Academic Staff Travel Awards to Develop/Implement Overseas Field Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Kenya
UWM-CIE
Grant
Peninnah Kako, Patricia Stevens

HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of HIV Illness Over Time: Experiences of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
UW-Institute on Race and Ethnicity
Grant
Peninnah Kako, Patricia Stevens

HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of Illness Over Time: An In-Depth Longitudinal Study of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
Grant
Peninnah Kako, Patricia Stevens, L Galvo

HIV Transmission Risk, Access to Treatment, and Self Management of HIV Illness Over Time: Experiences of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
University of Wisconsin System Institute on Race and Ethnicity Faculty Diversity Award
Grant
Peninnah Kako, Patricia Stevens

UWM Graduate School Research Award “Follow-Up Study of HIV Risk, Treatment Access and Illness Management among HIV-Infected Women in Rural and Urban Kenya
Grant
Patricia Stevens, Peninnah Kako

Health Needs of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research
Grant
Patricia Stevens, Peninnah Kako

Health Needs of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research
Grant
Peninnah Kako

Intellectual Contributions

Hawkins, M. M., Dressel, A., Kendall, N., Wendland, C., Hawkins, S., Walker, K., Mkandawire, E., Kirungi, J., Kako, P., Mkandawire-Valhmu, L. (2022). The changing dynamics of community care and support in rural Malawi: The impact on women's health and wellbeing at end of life. Social Science and Medicine, 301, 114934. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114934

Schmitt, M., Dressel, A., Del Carmen Graf, M., Pittman, B., Deal, E., Krueger, E., Lopez, A. A., Kako, P., Mkandawire-Valhmu, L. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences among previously homeless African American women. Public Health Nursing, 39(2), 446-455. doi:10.1111/phn.12970

Robinson, J. C., Luebke, J., Hoffman, S. J., Moore, K. M., Kako, P. M., & Mkandawire-Vahlmu, L. (2022). Commentary on "Burnout and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner: Who is experiencing burnout and why?" Journal of Emergency Nursing, 48(2), 123-125. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2022.01.008

Graf, M. D. C., Dressel, A., Schmitt, M., Deal, E., Pittman, B., Lopez, A., Kako, P., & Mkandawire-Valhmu, L. (2022). 'I was broken in so many different ways': The intersection of complex factors impacting homeless and at-risk African American women's mental health and well-being. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 31(1), 167-178. doi:10.1111/inm.12946

Ngui, E. M., Kako, P. M., Dressel, A., Mkandawire-Valhmu, L., Walker, R. J., Gondwe, K. W., Prigmore, H. L., & Egede, L. E. (2021). The association of HIV status with rural-urban differences in wealth in Malawi: 2004-2015/16. AIDS Care, 33(11), 1451-1457. doi:10.1080/09540121.2020.1808157

Ndakuya-Fitzgerlad, F., Kako, P. M., & Dressel, A. E. (2021). The built environment and perceived HIV risk among young women living in the peri-urban slum of Kibra, Nairobi, Kenya. Health and Place, 72, 102709. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102709

Dressel, A., Mkandawire, E., Mkandawire-Valhmu, L., Dyke, E., Bisai, C., Kantayeni, H., Kako, P., & Ochoa-Nordstrum, B. (2021). A black dog enters the home: Hunger and malnutrition in Malawi. Medical Humanities, 47(3), e8. doi:10.1136/medhum-2020-012130

Kako, P. M., Ngui, E., Kako, T., Ndakuya-Fitzgerald, F., Mkandawire-Valhmu, L., Dressel, A., Kiplagat, A. E., & Egede, L. E. (2021). Sustaining peer support groups: Insights from women living with HIV in Kenya Public Health Nursing, 38(4), 588-595. doi:10.1111/phn.12879

Calkins, K., Kako, P., & Guttormson, J. (2021). Patients' experiences of recovery: Beyond the intensive care unit and into the community. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(4), 1867-1877. doi:10.1111/jan.14729

Kibicho, J, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. Educating their communities to counteract HIV/AIDS-related myths and stigma, one conversation at a time: Lessons from Malawian women living with HIV. Literacy as gendered discourse: Engaging the voices of women in global societies. Ed. Nteri, D. W. Information Age Publishing, .

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, and . “Implementing an Undergraduate Research Experience in Kenya.” Global Currents: Biannual Bulletin by the Center for International Education-University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 8 (2). 2-4.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Mentoring Women Faculty Of Color In Nursing Academia: Creating An Environment That Supports Scholarly Growth And Retention.” Nursing Outlook.

Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Dressel, Anne. “Power of the collective in triumphing over stigma: Wisdom from Malawian women living with HIV/AIDS.” Social Science & Medicine.

Olukotun, O., Kako, Peninnah, Dressel, Anne, and Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy. “A qualitative exploration of the experiences of undocumented African immigrant women in the health care delivery system.” Nursing Outlook.

Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, Jennifer, Dressel, Anne, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Ngui, Emmanuel. “'It is hard to swallow them without eating.' Antiretroviral Adherence Challenges Among Women Living with HIV in Kenya.” Advances in Nursing Science (Data-based manuscript).

Kako, Peninnah, and Dubrosky B. “Exploring the lived experiences of stigma in HIV positive Kenyan Women.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Stevens, Patricia, Kako, Peninnah, and . In search of feminist theorizing grounded in women’s agency that leads to emancipatory praxis: A focus on the capacity of nursing academia. Ed. Kagan, Paula, Chinn, Peggy, and Smith, Marlaine.

Kako, P. M., and Klingbeil, C. G. “Facilitating cultural humility and attunement for nursing and health professions students through a study abroad program in Kenya.” Nursing Education Perspectives 40.5 (2019): 278-282.

Wesp, L. M., Scheer, V., Ruiz, A., Walker, K., Weitzel, J., Shaw, L., Kako, Peninnah, and Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy. “An emancipatory approach to cultural competency: The application of critical race, postcolonial, and intersectionality theories.” ANS: Advances in Nursing Science 41.4 (2018): 316-326.

Olukotun, Oluwatoyin, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kreuziger, Suzanne B., Dressel, Anne, Wesp, Linda, Sima, Christina, Scheer, Victoria, Weitzel, Jennifer, Washington, Rosetta, Hess, Alexa, Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Preparing culturally safe student nurses: An analysis of undergraduate cultural diversity course reflections.” Journal of Professional Nursing 34. (2018): 245-252.

Dressel, Anne, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Dietrich, Ann, Chirwa, Ellen, Mgawadere, Florence, Kambalemetore, Sylvia, and Kako, Peninnah. “Local to global: Working together to meet the needs of vulnerable communities.” Journal of Interprofessional Care 31.5 (2017): 667-669.

Kako, Peninnah, Wendorf, Angela R., Stevens, Patricia, Ngui, Emmanuel, and Otto-Salaj, Laura L. “Contending with psychological distress in contexts with limited mental health resources: HIV-positive Kenyan women's experiences.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 37.1 (2016): 2-9.

Stanton, A E., Kako, Peninnah, and Sawin, Kathleen J. “Mental health issues of women after release from jail and prison: A systematic review.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 37.5 (2016): 299-331.

Kibicho, Jennifer, Pinkerton, S. D., Owczarzak, J., Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Kako, Peninnah. “Are community-based pharmacists underused in the care of persons living with HIV? A need for structural and policy changes.” Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association 55.1 (2015): 19-30.

Kibicho, Jennifer, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Calabrese, L., and Pinkerton, S. D. “Educating their communities to counteract HIV/AIDS-related myths and stigma, one conversation at a time: Lessons from Malawian women living with HIV>.” Literacy as gendered discourse: Engaging the voices of women in global societies.. Ed. Nitri, D. W. Information Age Publishing, (2015): 119-139.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Stevens, Patricia, and Kako, Peninnah. “Teaching, research and service synthesized as postcolonial feminist praxis.” Philosophies and practices of emancipatory nursing: Social justice as praxis.. Rutledge, (2014): 231-239.

Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, J., Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Stevens, Patricia, and Karani, Anna L. “Advocating for HIV prevention and care: A critical role for older women living with HIV in rural Kenya.” SAGE Open 2014.4 (2014).

Dressel, Anne, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Peace, health, and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals: The experience of HIV-positive women in Malawi and Kenya.” Journal for the Study of Peace and Conflict 2014. (2014): 18-20.

Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, Jennifer, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Stevens, Patricia, and Karani, A. K. “Advocating for HIV Prevention and Care.” SAGE Open 4.2 (2014).

Kako, Peninnah, and Dubrosky, Rebekah. “'You comfort yourself and believe in yourself': Exploring lived experiences of stigma in HIV-positive Kenyan women.” Issues in Mental Health Nursing 34.3 (2013): 150-157.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Stevens, Patricia, Kako, Peninnah, and Dressel, Anne. “Safety planning in focus groups of Malawian women living with HIV: Helping each other deal with violence and abuse.” Violence Against Women 19.11 (2013): 1331-1349.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, J, and Stevens, Patricia. “The innovative and collective capacity of low-income East African women in the era of HIV/AIDs: Contesting Western notions of African women.” Health Care of Women International 34.3/4 (2013): 332-350.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kibicho, Jennifer, Karani, A K., and Dressel, Anne. “Missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis: Critical insights from the stories of Kenyan women living with HIV.” International Journal of Health Promotion and Education 51.5 (2013).

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, Jennifer, and Stevens, Patricia. “The innovative and collective capacity of low-income East African women in the era of HIV/AIDS: Contesting Western notions of African women.” Health Care for Women International 34.3/4 (2013): 332-350.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Wendland, Claire, Stevens, Patricia, Kako, Peninnah, Dressel, Anne, and Kibicho, Jennifer. “Marriage as a risk factor for HIV: Learning from the experiences of HIV-infected women in Malawi.” Global Public Health 8.2 (2013): 187-201.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Banda, Anne. “Grappling with HIV transmission risks: Experiences of rural Kenyan women living with HIV.” Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 23.5 (2012): 442-453.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Kibicho, Jennifer. “Perceptions of the character of God as narrated by East African women living with HIV.” Journal of Christian Nursing 29.3 (2012): 164-172.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, and Karani, A K. “Where will this illness take me? Reations to HIV diagnosis from women living with HIV in Kenya.” Health Care for Women International 32.4 (2011): 278-299.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Mentoring women faculty of color in nursing academia: Creating an inclusive environment that supports scholarly growth and retention.” Nursing Outlook 58.3 (2010): 135-141.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, A.K. K., and . “Where will this illness take me? Reactions to HIV diagnosis from the Voices of Women Living with HIV in Kenya.” Health Care for Women International Journal. (2010).

Kako, Peninnah, Karani, A.K., and Stevens, Patricia. “Challenges accessing HIV-related health care in resource limited communities: Lessons from HIV-infected women in Kenya.” Kenya Nursing Journal 38.1 (2009): 24-31.

Presentations

Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, Jennifer, Dressel, Anne, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Ngui, Emmanuel. “'It is Hard to Swallow Them Without Eating:' Antiretrorival Adherence Challenges among Women Living with HIV in Kenya.” Annual Research Conference Qualitative Research Guaranteed Symposium. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. March 2016.

Kibicho, Jennifer, Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Pinkerton, Steven D., and Ndakuya, Florine. “Economic Vulnerabilities and the Syndemic of Risky Sexual Behaviors, Alcohol Abuse and Violence in Rural Kenya.” 143rd Annual Meeting and Exposition. Chicago, IL. November 2015.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia E., Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kibicho, Jennifer, and Galvao, Loren W.“Identifying Barriers to Support Group Attendance: Insights from Women Living with HIV in Kenya.” XIX International AIDS Conference. Washington, D.C.. July 2012.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kibicho J., and Galvao L.“Identifying Barriers to Support Group Attendance: Insights from Women Living with HIV in Kenya.” XIX International AIDS Conference. Washington, DC. July 2012.

Kako, Peninnah, and Dubrosky B.“Exploring the lived experiences of stigma in HIV positive Kenyan Women.” 14th Annual Building Bridges to Research Based Nursing Practice Conference: Cultivating Nursing Research,. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. May 2012.

Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Kako, Peninnah. “The innovative and collective capacity of low-income East African women in the era of HIV/AIDS: Contesting western notions of African women.” Intellectual History of Black Women Conference. New York City, NY. 2011.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, Kibicho, Jennifer, and Stevens, Patricia. “The Innovative and Collective Capacity of Low-income East African Women in the Era of HIV/AIDS: Contesting Western Notions of African Women.” Towards an Intellectual History of Black Women. Colombia University, NY. April 2011.

Kako, Peninnah, Karani, Anna K., and Stevens, Patricia. “Reactions to HIV diagnosis from women living with HIV in Kenya.” Tau Lambda conference. Nairobi, Kenya. August 2010.

Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, and Banda, A.“Women and HIV in Kenya.” STTI. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. May 2010.

Mkandawire-Valhmu, Lucy, Kako, Peninnah, Stevens, Patricia, and . “Microfinance projects among women living with HIV in East Africa.” University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee International Women's Bazaar & Women in International Development. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. April 2010.

Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Challenges and Triumphs in Accessing HIV-Related Health Care in Resource Limitied Communities: Lessons from HIV-Infected Women in Kenya.” 15th International Critical and Feminist Perspectives in Health and Social Justice Conference. Auckland, New Zealand. 2009.

Kako, Peninnah, Karani, K.A., and Stevens, Patricia. “Accessing HIV-Related Health Care in Resource Limited Communities: Experiences for HIV-Infected Women in Kenya.” Kenyatta National Hospital Leadership for Change: International Council for Nurses. Nairobi, Kenya. July 2009.

Kako, Peninnah, and Stevens, Patricia. “Grappling with Complex HIV Transmission Risks: Experiences of HIV-Infected Women in Kenya.” 5th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. Champaign, IL. May 2009.