Kelly Baek, PhD

Associate Professor, Social Work and Social Ecology

Contact Information

Email [email protected]
Phone 909-379-7583

Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Office 201E
Loma Linda University
1898 Business Center Dr., San Bernardino, CA 92408

Degrees and Certifications

  • PhD, Social Policy and Social Research - Loma Linda University, 2018
  • MSW, Social Work - Wayne State University, 2009
  • Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor for adults

Areas of Specialization

  • Mental health
  • Culturally-grounded interventions
  • Program development and evaluation
  • Community-based research

Current Research Projects

Professional Memberships

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Recent Publications and Presentations

Publications

  • Baek, K., Bell, C., Montgomery, S. B., Ortiz, L., Kumar, A., & Alemi, Q. (2024). Community-based mental health challenges and implications: Examining factors influencing distress and help-seeking behaviors among Korean American church leaders and members in Greater Los Angeles. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1094. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081094.
  • Baek, K., Freeman, K., Truong, S., Bell, C., & Montgomery, S. (2024). Pilot study of a resiliency based and trauma informed intervention for veterans. Trauma Care, 4(1), 75-86. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare4010007.
  • Alemi, Q., Stempel, C., Montgomery, S., Koga, P. M., Smith, V., Baek, K., Fisher, C. C., & Malika, N. (2021). Prevalence and Social-Ecological Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence in a Conflict Zone-Evidence From the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey. Violence Against Women, 10778012211051398. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012211051398.
  • Freeman, K., Baek, K., Ngo, M., Karas, E., Cirtron, S., & Montgomery, S. (2021). Exploring the usability of a community resiliency model approach in a high need/low research traumatized community. Community Mental Health Journal, 10.1007/s10597-021-00872-z. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00872-z.
  • Baek, K., Oritz, L., Alemi, Q., Mann, S., Kumar, A., & Montgomery, S. (2020). Factors influencing formal and informal resource utilization for mental distress among Korean Americans in southern California. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-020-01050-1

Presentations

  • Baek, K., Freeman, K., & Montgomery, S. (2020, October). Evaluation of the community resiliency training innovation project in San Bernardino County. Paper presented at the meeting of the 148th Annual American Public Health Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  • Lister, Z., Freeman, K., Baek, K., Ngo, M., Chia, D., Montgomery, S. (2020, October). Implementation of a wellness program within a large healthcare facility. Paper presented at the meeting of the 148th Annual American Public Health Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  • Ngo, M., Freeman, K., Baek, K., Truong, S., Lister Z., & Montgomery, S. (2020, October). Impact of a low-dose wellness intervention on decreasing stress among healthcare professionals. Paper presented at the meeting of the 148th Annual American Public Health Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  • Truong, S., Baek, K., Freeman, K., & Montgomery, S. (2020, October). Evaluating the effectiveness of the community resiliency model intervention on veterans. Paper presented at the meeting of the 148th Annual American Public Health Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  • Chia, D., Ngo, M., Baek, K., Freeman, K., & Montgomery, S. (2020, August). Effect of low-dose intervention on burnout for healthcare professionals in clinical settings. Poster presented at the meeting of the 128th Annual American Psychological Association Conference, Washington, D. C.
  • Truong, S., Baek, K., Freeman, K., Huelett, B., Ngo, M., & Montgomery, S. (2020, August). Analyzing the impact of a low-dosage intervention for PTSD symptoms among healthcare professionals. Poster presented at the meeting of the 128th Annual American Psychological Association Conference, Washington, D.C.

Community Engagement

  • Mental health consultant for Korean Seventh-day Adventist churches (2018-present)
  • Research mentor for Center for Health Disparities & Molecular Medicine (CHDMM) students (2017-present)