Sarah Hoffman, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN

Sarah Hoffman, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Dr. Hoffman’s program of research considers the longitudinal health of refugees post-resettlement and the intergenerational effects of trauma and torture. Prior to her appointment at the University, Dr. Hoffman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa, a human rights intern in Colombia, and worked clinically as a nurse on the inpatient unit of the Johns Hopkins Hospital AIDS service. In conjunction with her faculty position at the University, Dr. Hoffman is a sexual assault nurse examiner, serving survivors of sexual assault. Dr. Hoffman teaches in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at the UMN School of Nursing and serves as an affiliate faculty member to the Master of Human Rights program.

PhD, University of Minnesota
Major: Nursing/Human Rights

MPH, Johns Hopkins University
Major: Global Health/Infectious Disease

MSN, Johns Hopkins University
Major: Public Health Nursing

BSN, Johns Hopkins University

BA, Southwestern University
Major: Biology/Environmental Studies

• Certified Trainer, Development Dimensions International
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent, International Association of Forensic Nurses
• Registered Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing

• Community-Engaged Scholar Award, University of Minnesota, 2024
• Honorary Recognition, WHO Year of the Nurse and the Midwife Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2020
• Daisy Award for Commitment to the Understanding of Social Determinants of Health, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2019
• Human Rights Lab Faculty-Led Human Rights Project, University of Minnesota Law School, 2019
• Bridging Interdisciplinary Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Scholar, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2018

Miko, S., Hoffman, S. J., Thongkhamkitcharoen, M., Dicker, S. B., Dalal, W., Klosovsky, A., Mann Mph, E. M., Mathiason, M., & Prasad, S. (2025). Standardizing clinical nursing practice and delivery method for the management of United States-bound refugees in Uganda: A quality improvement project. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 41(2), 108–113. https://doi.org/10.1097/NND.0000000000001119 

Porta CM, Frerich E, Hoffman S, Johnson E, Dillon T. (2025). Re LAB ReImagine clinical residency for SANEs: Initial outcomes of an academic-clinical partnership. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 21(2), 86–94. https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000536  

Hoffman, S. J., Fredkove, W. M., Vukovich, M. M., Hsieh, E., Moo, H., Josiah, K., & Dini, Z. (2024). Ushering a witness: A psychosocial theory of maternal intrafamily trauma communication in the refugee family system. Journal of Family Nursing, 4(0)0. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407241301369 

Hoffman, S. J., Vukovich, M. M., Gewirtz, A. M., Fulkerson, J. A., Fredkove, W. M., & Gaugler, J. E. (2024). A cross-sectional analysis of factors promoting intergenerational resilience in adolescent youth with refugee status. Family & Community Health, 47(4), 288–293. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0000000000000410 

Hoffman, S. J., & Fredkove, W. M. (2024). Using a constructivist-oriented modified grounded theory approach in the study of intrafamily trauma communication process in war-affected families: A methodologic example. Advances in Nursing Science, 47(4), 138-157. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANS.0000000000000506 

Porta, C. M., Frerich, E. A., Hoffman, S. J., Bauer, S., Jain, V. M., & Bradley, C. (2024). Sexual violence in virtual reality. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 20(1), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000466 

Hoffman, S. J., Dillon, T., Moore, K. M., Frerich, E. A., & Porta, C. M. (2023). A trauma-informed mentoring framework for forensic nurses: An overview of STEERR—Structure, process, and evaluation. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 19(4), 240–252. https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000446 

Miko, S., Hoffman, S. J., Thongkhamkitcharoen, M., Dicker, S., Bampoh, V., Sitati, J., Weinberg, M., Stauffer, W., & Klosovsky, A. (2023). Implementation of a curriculum to optimize hygiene behaviors among refugees and migrants being resettled. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, 10(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.24926/ijps.v10i1.4990 

Hoffman, S. J., Vukovich, M. M., Fulkerson, J., Gewirtz, A., Robertson, C. L., Fredkove, W. M., & Gaugler, J. (2023). The impact of parent torture and family functioning on youth adjustment in war-affected families: A path analysis describing intergenerational trauma and the family system. Journal of Family Nursing, 29(3):288-300. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407231164747.

Hoffman, S. J., Vukovich, M. M., Peden-McAlpine, C., Robertson, C. L., Wilk, K., Wiebe, G., & Gaugler, J. E. (2021). Narratives as borders: using an adapted narrative approach to understand the retelling of the physical narratives of trauma by Karen women with refugee status resettled in the United States. Advances in Nursing Science, 44(3), 238–253. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANS.0000000000000366 

Hoffman, S. J., Graham, L., Johnson, E., Kolar, S., Moore, K. M., Walther, L., Frerich, E. Porta, C. M. "Mentorship in Forensic Nursing: An Introduction to the STEERR Mentoring Framework and Toolkit," International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice, Denver, CO. (September 2024).

Hoffman, S. J., Voller, V., Mysler, A., & Smith, M. "Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Barriers to Post Assault Care: An Exploratory Study in Montero, Bolivia," University of Minnesota Law School Alumni Week, Minneapolis, MN. (April 2024). Invited. 

Hoffman, S. J. "Global Health Day 2024: Shared Perspectives, Shared Solutions: Advancing Equity in Global Health," University of Minnesota Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, Minneapolis, MN. (April 2024). Invited.

Porta, C. M., Frerich, E., Jain, V., Hoffman, S. J., Weirick, M., & Bradley, C. "Sexual Violence in the Metaverse: A Call for Policy Action," International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice, Phoenix, Arizona. (September 2023).

Hoffman, S. J. Fredkove, W. M., Moo, H., & Manikowski, K. "The Cultural Adaptation of a Community-Led Multigenerational Mindfulness Program," North American Refugee Health Conference, Calgary, Canada. (June 2023).

Hoffman, S. J. "The Role of the Canvas Platform in IOM Nursing Practice," International Organization for Migration Global Chief Nurse Leader Summit, Bangkok, Thailand. (May 2023). Invited. 

Hoffman, S. J. "Strategies for Nurse Leaders: Developmental Feedback and Communication," International Organization for Migration Global Chief Nurse Leader Summit, Bangkok, Thailand. (May 2023). Invited. 

Hoffman, S. J., Fulkerson, J. A., Fredkove, W. M., Moo, H., Manikowski, K., Moore, M. A., & Connett, J. "Preliminary Report of Feasibility and Acceptability from a Multigenerational Mindfulness Program for War-Affected Refugee Families in Resettlement," Translational Science Annual Meeting, Washington DC. (April 2023).

Garcia, Y., Hoffman, S. J., Altamirano-Crosby, J., Martinez, S., Yu, K., Abudiab, S., De Acosta, D., Fredkove, W., Karim, S., Mann, E., Thomas, C., Yun, K., & Dawson-Hahn, E. Amplifying Community Expert Voices to Inform Public Health Responses to COVID-19, North American Refugee Health Conference, Cleveland, OH. (June 2022).

Hoffman, S. J., Bradley, C., Frerich, E., Johnson, E., Walther, L., Krumwiede, K., & Porta, C. "A Contextual Adaptation of the CBAM in the Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Mentoring Framework for Nurses New to the SANE Role," International Academic Forum Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI. (January 2022).

Award: Restoring Survivors with an Excellent SANE Workforce
Principal Investigator: Porta, Carolyn
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2024 - 2027

Award: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Barriers to Post-Physical Assault Care
Principal Investigator: Hoffman, Sarah
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility
Award Dates: 2023 - 2025

Award: Extending the Impact and Sustainability of a Pilot Study in Montero, Bolivia
Principal Investigator: Hoffman, Sarah
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility
Award Dates: 2023 - 2024

Award: Strengthening Support of Survivors with an Expanded SANE
Principal Investigator: Porta, Carolyn
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2021 - 2024

Award: National Resource Center for COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Principal Investigator: Stauffer, William M
Sponsoring Organization: International Organization for Migration
Award Dates: 2020 - 2022