Jana M. Mossey, PhD, MPH, MSN, has built a distinguished career in psychiatric epidemiology, aging research, and pain management, dedicating more than 35 years to the field. Since 1994, she has held the designation of professor emerita at the Drexel University School of Public Health, now the Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health, where she conducted research, taught graduate students and provided mentorship. Prior to her role at Drexel, she was a professor at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, part of the Allegheny Health Network, from 1986 to 1994.
Dr. Mossey is also actively engaged in industry organizations, including the American Academy of Pain Medicine and the Global Consortium for the Prevention of Depression. She contributes to civic causes, supports local food banks and the WildLife Foundation, and serves on the board of directors for Astro Artists. Additionally, Dr. Mossey has contributed to the field by authoring two book chapters on pain medicine management in vulnerable populations.
Dr. Mossey’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1965, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Columbia School of Nursing in 1967. She earned a Master of Public Health and a Doctor of Philosophy in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976 and a Master of Science in Nursing in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in 1993. Dr. Mossey is also a certified registered nurse.
Reflecting on her path, Dr. Mossey takes great pride in her groundbreaking research on self-rated health. In 1982, she published a seminal study demonstrating its role as a predictor of mortality risk in older adults. This pioneering work, utilizing longitudinal data, established self-rated health as a key measure in health outcomes research, influencing thousands of subsequent studies. Dr. Mossey attributes her success to personal determination and the supportive environment she grew up in, where higher education was expected. A pivotal moment in her career came when a mentor advised her to focus on epidemiology instead of public health nursing, facilitating her entry into the field and shaping her trajectory.
Dr. Mossey distinguishes herself in the field by challenging norms and advocating for public health advancements. Increasingly politically active, she speaks out against pressing issues, urging action and systemic change. Outside her professional life, she enjoys gardening, walking, and listening to classic musicals and opera.
Looking to the future, Dr. Mossey aims to complete her book on self-rated health, advocating for its integration into clinical practice as a key predictor of health outcomes. She continues her work with the Global Consortium for the Prevention of Depression, focusing on early interventions to prevent minor depression from escalating into major disorders. Additionally, she is dedicated to improving non-cancer pain management by raising awareness among health care providers about high-risk individuals and the lifelong impact of chronic pain.