Biography
Kent is a registered nurse with experience in pediatric hematology/oncology, solid organ transplant, and adult orthopedics. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Dakota, his Masters in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Minnesota in the Health Innovation and Leadership specialty. Kent focused his doctoral studies on Planetary Health, community climate adaptation and resilience, and transformative systems change. His doctoral work was in collaboration with MCAP, where he developed and piloted a training program for health professionals emphasizing translating climate projections to the impacts on human health, conducting vulnerability assessments with the inclusion of climate modeling tools, and being able to lead, advocate for, and advise community resilience hubs projects across Minnesota.
Kent co-chairs the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Global Nurses Climate Change Committee, co-developed the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education’s Nursing Climate Resources for Health Education, was a policy fellow for Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, is a LEED Green Associate with the U.S. Green Building Council, holds a certificate in Health Care Design and Innovation from the University of Minnesota, and is a coach for Special Olympics Minnesota’s South St. Paul delegation.
Research Interests
Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Planetary Health. Social and Ecological Determinants of Health, Food Systems, Systems Change
Selected Publications and Presentations
Boyd, K., Bjorgaard, J., Harrison, C., Meyer, N., & Potter, T. "Heeding the Call: Health Professionals’ Approach to Community Climate Adaptation, Resilience, and Equity", National Adaptation Forum, [Saint Paul, MN]. (May 16, 2024).
Baylan, B., Beall, O., Boyd, K., Meyer, N. Climate Panel. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator’s Workshop, State of Minnesota, [Brainerd, MN]. (May 1, 2024).
Friel, G., Boyd, K., Sood, N., & Sorenson, C. “Nursing Climate Resources for Health Education (N-CRHE): Bridging the Gap between Assessment and Action”, Planetary Health Summit and Annual Meeting, [Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia]. (April 16, 2024).
Genger, R., Hoidal, N., Black, K., Boyd, K., et al. “Climate Adaptation for Midwest Organic Vegetable Growers: Current Research and Future Priorities”, Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, [LaCrosse, WI]. (February 22, 2024).
Boyd, K., Lor, P., Thone, M., Doheny, B., & Potter, T. “Building the Planetary Health Movement: Health Professional Efforts to Promote Adaptation and Resilience Across Minnesota”, Midwest Climate Resilience Conference, [Duluth, MN]. (October 26, 2023).
Potter, T., Astle, B., LeClair, J., Honegger-Rogers, H., Belgrade, K., Boyd, K., Mueller, B., & Thone, M. “Nursing for Planetary Health: A Global Movement”, 5th Planetary Health Annual Meeting, [Cambridge, MA]. (October 31, 2022).