My bio
Sarah Westen, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. Dr. Westen is Director of Diabetes Behavioral Medicine and Psychology at UF Health.
Dr. Westen has a history of leadership in various national and international roles. She is currently on the Planning Committee for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Latest Innovations & Technologies in Type 1 Diabetes Program (and served as Program Chair in 2021-2023), Member of the ADA Youth Strategies Committee (and served as Chair of the ADA Psychosocial Sub-Committee of the Youth Strategies Committee in 2021-2023); and, Member of the Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research (GCDTR). Historically, Dr. Westen also served as Program Chair of the ADA Mental Health Case Study Continuing Education Program; Sub-Committee Member of the ADA Scientific Sessions New Technology Sub-Committee Planning Group; Chair of the Diabetes Special Interest Group of the American Psychological Association, Member of the Diabetes Consortium in Psychosocial Screening, and a member of the JDRF (now Breakthrough T1D) Psychosocial Advisory Committee; and, Member of the Grant Review Board for the Stanford Diabetes Research Center.
Dr. Westen is a Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) National Psychology Fellowship recipient. Prior to coming to the University of Florida, she completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an Intramural Research Training Award recipient.
Dr. Westen’s research in diabetes has won multiple recognitions with support through the NIH and American Psychological Association.
Clinically, Dr. Westen is interested in the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic illness throughout the lifespan. Her patient-oriented clinical research focuses on factors related to health-engagement, coping, and adjustment in medical treatment regimens.
Board certifications
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Licensed Psychologist
Florida Board of Psychology
Education
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JDRF National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
JDRF; University of Florida, 2018-2019
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Pediatric Psychology Fellowship
University of Florida Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, 2017-2018
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Pediatric Psychology Residency
University of Florida Health Science Center, 2016-2017
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PhD; Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida, 2012-2017
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MS; Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida, 2012-2015
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Intramural Research Training Award Postbaccalaureate
National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2010-2012
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BS; Neuroscience
Union College, 2009
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Neuroscience and Psychology BS
Union College, 2005-2009
My areas of focus
Specialties
Subspecialties
Gender
Female
Accomplishments
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Dean's Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2025
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Loan Repayment Program Award
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2024-2025
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Dean’s Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2024
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Nominated; Outstanding Alumni Award in Professional Achievement and Career Service
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2024
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Dean's Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2023
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Nominated; Outstanding Alumni Award in Professional Achievement and Career Service
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2023
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Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Psychosocial Factors Affecting Health Engagement and Outcomes in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2022-2024
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Dean’s Recognition for Excellence in Teaching
College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, 2022
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Most Cited Paper Award: Westen, S. C., Warnick, J. L., Albanese-O’Neill, A., Schatz, D. A., Haller, M. J., Entessari, M., & Janicke, D. (2019). Objectively measured adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes on multiple daily injections and insulin pump therapy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(1), 21-31.
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2021
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Nominated; College and University Undergraduate Teacher of the Year Awards
College of Public Health and Health Professions and University of Florida Undergraduate Award nominations, 2021
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Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Factors Associated with Type 1 Diabetes Adherence and Glycemic Variability)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2020-2022
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Loan Repayment Program Award in Pediatric Research (Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2018-2020
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Drotar-Crawford Postdoctoral Research Grant in Pediatric Psychology
American Psychological Association Division 54, 2018
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National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
JDRF, 2018
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Geoffrey Clark-Ryan Memorial Award for Pediatric Research
University of Florida, 2015
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Mary Jo Kupst Award for Research in Resilience
American Psychological Association Division 54, 2015
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2012 Year in Research: Top 5 Most Influential Research Articles Award (co-author)
Union College, 2013