Christine Garver-Apgar, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry-BHWP

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Graduate School :
  • PhD, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (2008)
Undergraduate School:
  • BA, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2000)
Fellowships:
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Medical Genetics and Genomics (2011)
Languages: English
Department: Psychiatry-BHWP

Professional Titles

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
  • Director of Research and Evaluation, Behavioral Health and Wellness Program

Research Interests

My research portfolio spans both basic psychological science and applied community-based research and evaluation. I work across multiple states to oversee strategic development of sustainable research and program evaluation initiatives. In my work as a behavioral scientist, I apply principles of evolutionary medicine, psychology, and psychiatry to the study of individual differences in human health and development. Areas of interest include developmental psychobiology, behavioral endocrinology, behavioral health, addiction, and biometrical genetics. In particular, I am interested in effects of early childhood adversity on physical and neuropsychological development, how developmental trajectories in response to early adversity differ across individuals (including sex-specific effects), and how a better understanding of stress-mediated development may inform intervention efforts with children and families. I also direct community-based research and evaluation projects with the goal of implementing, testing, and evaluating innovative and evidence-based strategies to support healthy behavior change. Projects are implemented both locally and nationally within behavioral health and integrated care clinics, hospitals, criminal justice systems, and other organizations or agencies serving vulnerable populations. Areas of focus include tobacco cessation, chronic disease prevention, health disparities, nutrition and physical activity, healthy sleep strategies, stress management, and family interventions.

Publications

  • Noland, D. H., Morris, C. D., Kayser, A. K., & Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2023). Results of a peer navigator program to address chronic illness among persons experiencing homelessness. Journal of Community Health, 48, 606-615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-023-01194-9
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Morris, C. D., Pavlik, J., Lenartz, T., & Hamm, M. (2023). Peer-facilitated tobacco cessation in a prison setting: A proof of concept study. Tobacco Use Insights, 16, 1-8.
  • Mescher, T.*, Goldstrom, D., Martinez, L. A., Morris, C. W., Morris, C. D., Kayser, A. M., & Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2023). Integrated Addiction and Whole Health Treatment: Evaluation Report.
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Mescher, T., Kayser, A., Rajesh Kumar, L., Moreira, K., Martinez, L. A., Morris, C. W., Morris, C. D. (2023). Community Alliance Work & Wellbeing Initiative: 2023 Snapshot and Outcomes Report.
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Mescher, T., Kayser, A., Rajesh Kumar, L., Moreira, K., Martinez, L. A., Morris, C. W., Morris, C. D. (2023). Egyptian Health Department Work & Wellbeing Initiative: 2023 Snapshot and Outcomes Report.
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Mescher, T., Kayser, A., Rajesh Kumar, L., Moreira, K., Martinez, L. A., Morris, C. W., Morris, C. D. (2023). Texas Panhandle Centers Work & Wellbeing Initiative: 2023 Snapshot and Outcomes Report.
  • Mescher, T. Hacker, R. L., Morris, C. D., & Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2023). CO-CARES Mobile Health Evaluation Toolkit.
  • Garver-Apgar, C., Pavlik, J., Mescher, T., Kayser, A., Morris, C. (2022). An evaluation of RAISE Families for Health: A program to support intergenerational health and wellness.
  • Noland, D.*, Garver-Apgar, C.E., Morris, C. D. (2022). RAISE Families for Health in Larimer County: Final Grant Report
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Morris, C. W., Moreira, K., Mescher, T., Kayser, A. M., Martinez, L. A., Pavlik, J. & Morris, C. D. (2022). Community Alliance Work & Wellbeing Evaluation Report
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Morris, C. W., Moreira, K., Mescher, T., Kayser, A. M., Martinez, L. A., Pavlik, J. & Morris, C. D. (2022). Chestnut Health Systems Work & Wellbeing Evaluation Report
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Morris, C. W., Moreira, K., Mescher, T., Kayser, A. M., Martinez, L. A., Pavlik, J. & Morris, C. D. (2022). Egyptian Health Department Work & Wellbeing Evaluation Report
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Morris, C. W., Moreira, K., Mescher, T., Kayser, A. M., Martinez, L. A., Pavlik, J. & Morris, C. D. (2022). Texas Panhandle Centers Work & Wellbeing Evaluation Report
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Kayser, A. M. (2022). Work & Wellbeing Evaluation: Supplementary Analyses
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Martinez, L. A., Kayser, A. M., Mescher, T. (2022). Vaccine Hesitancy Training: Evaluation Report
  • Morris, C., Mescher, T.*, Morris, C., Martinez, L. A.*, Cisneros N.*, Noland, D.* Pavlik, J.*, Kayser, A., Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2022, June). Tobacco treatment from a whole-health perspective: Multiple pathways to change. Scientific exhibit presented at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health, New Orleans, LA.
  • Noland, D.*, Morris, C., Ylioja, T., Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2022, June). Evaluating the efficacy and reach of state tobacco quitlines among rural populations. Scientific exhibit presented at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health, New Orleans, LA.
  • Mescher, T.*, Martinez, L. S.*, Cisneros, N.*, Noland, D., Pavlik, J.*, Kayser, A., Garver-Apgar, C. E. (2022, March). Participant outcomes following pilot implementation of a caregiver-focused whole health and tobacco cessation program: RAISE Families for Health. Scientific exhibit presented at the Department of Psychiatry Poster Session, Aurora, CO.
  • Garver-Apgar, C. E., Mescher, T.*, Martinez, L. S.*, Cisneros, N.*, Noland, D., Pavlik, J.*, Kayser, A., Morris, C. (2022, September). Tobacco treatment from a whole-health perspective: Multiple pathways to change. Scientific exhibit presented at the CU-CSU Summit: Research in Health Equity and Social Determinants, Aurora, CO.
  • An Evaluation of RAISE Families for Health: A program to support intergenerational health and wellness. Presentation for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, STEPP Tobacco Review Committee, March 2022
  • Garver-Apgar, C., Morris, C., Pavlik, J. Lenartz, T., Hamm, M. Effects of peer-facilitated tobacco cessation among individuals in a pre-release program at Arizona Department of Corrections. Virtual E-poster presented at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 2021 Annual Meeting, virtual conference, February 24-27.
  • Martinez, L. A.*, Davis, V., & Garver-Apgar, C. Relationships between early life experiences and health risk behaviors in adulthood. Virtual E-poster presented at The Psychiatry Undergraduate Research Program and Learning Experience (PURPLE) 2021 Symposium, August 13, 2021, Aurora, CO.
  • Morris, C. D. & Garver-Apgar, C. E. Nicotine and Opioids: A call for co-treatment as the standard of care. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. 2020; 47, 601-613.
  • Morris, C. D., Pavlik, J. L., & Garver-Apgar, C. E. Criminal Justice Tobacco Cessation Equity Project: A Community of Practice. 2020.
  • Noland, D., Garver-Apgar, C. E., Kayser, A., Morris, C. D. National Jewish Health Project: Rural Quitline Evaluation. 2020.
  • Lenartz, T., Hamm, M., & Garver-Apgar, C. E. Justice-Involved Tobacco Cessation: Evaluation. 2020.
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Professional Memberships

  • Developmental Psychobiology Research Group, Member

Practice Locations

Department of Psychiatry - Faculty and Staff Mental Health
1890 N Revere Ct
Anschutz Health Sciences Bldg, Suite 5242
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-4987

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Addiction Psychiatry
  • Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Specialized Training (2017)
Personal Interests
My research portfolio spans both basic psychological science and applied community-based research and evaluation. I work across multiple states to oversee strategic development of sustainable research and program evaluation initiatives. In my work as a behavioral scientist, I apply principles of evolutionary medicine, psychology, and psychiatry to the study of individual differences in human health and development. In particular, I am interested in how developmental trajectories in response to early childhood adversity differ across individuals. I also direct community-based research and evaluation projects with the goal of implementing, testing, and evaluating innovative and evidence-based strategies to support healthy behavior change. Projects are implemented both locally and nationally within organizations and agencies serving vulnerable populations. Areas of focus include tobacco cessation, chronic disease prevention, health disparities, and family interventions.

Public Speaking
Yes
Nicotine addiction and pharmacotherapy; Tobacco use during pregnancy/postpartum; Impacts of stress and adverse childhood experiences on health and development; Research and program evaluation

General Information

Graduate Schools:
  • PhD, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (2008)
Undergraduate Schools:
  • BA, University of Texas–Austin (TX) (2000)
Fellowships:
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Medical Genetics and Genomics (2011)
Download CV
Languages: English
Department: Psychiatry-BHWP
SOM Resources
CU Resources
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building
13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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