Chris Abbyad

Biography

Dr. Abbyad is a Clinical Associate Professor. She teaches perinatal theory and clinical nursing to undergraduate students. Previously she taught at the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing at the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon for 6 years. Prior to that she taught clinical nursing for 16 years at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. She holds a bachelor’s degree, MSN, and WHNP from the University of California in San Francisco in women’s health. She obtained her PhD in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Abbyad has held positions in education, as a CNS, and as a women’s health nurse practitioner with a special interest in racism and perinatal health. Dr. Abbyad’s doctoral research focused on black women’s preparation for childbirth. She has given presentations on black/white racism and health, and black healthcare providers’ understanding of the ways in which black women prepare for birthing. Dr. Abbyad also has an interest in cultural awareness and competency having taught nursing in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. She has given numerous presentations highlighting understanding of Arab and Muslim childbearing populations.