Merrian Jacqueline Brooks, DO, MS
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Adolescent Medicine) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Attending Physician, Craig Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Assistant Director (Botswana Based), David Pincus Global Health Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Co-Director, International Core, Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), University of Pennsylvania
Lead Pediatrician, General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Pennsylvania, Gaborone, Botswana
Research Director , Botswana-UPenn Partnership, University of Pennsylvania
Department: Pediatrics
Contact information
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Division of Adolescent Medicine
The Hub for Clinical Collaboration
3500 Civic Center Boulevard
14th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Division of Adolescent Medicine
The Hub for Clinical Collaboration
3500 Civic Center Boulevard
14th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Fax: 215-590-4708
Email:
brooksm2@chop.edu
brooksm2@chop.edu
Education:
BS (Neuroscience)
University of Pittsburgh, 2006.
BPhil (History and Philosophy of Science)
University of Pittsburgh, 2006.
DO
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2011.
MS (Clinical Research Methods)
University of Pittsburgh, 2016.
Permanent linkBS (Neuroscience)
University of Pittsburgh, 2006.
BPhil (History and Philosophy of Science)
University of Pittsburgh, 2006.
DO
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2011.
MS (Clinical Research Methods)
University of Pittsburgh, 2016.
Description of Clinical Expertise
adolescent primary mental and physical healthcareDescription of Research Expertise
Adolescent health services, positive indicators and health outcomes, adolescent mental health, adolescent health in low-middle income countries, global pediatric health, global adolescent health.Selected Publications
Brooks MJ, MacLean SA, Eschliman EL, Poku OB, Molebatsi K, Ahmed C, Morakanyane P, Entaile P, Monyane-Pheko M, Morapedi K, Phoi O, Tshume O, Benton TD, Matshaba M, Lowenthal ED: Piloting a Near-Peer Lay Counselor Based Problem Solving Therapy Intervention for Youth With and Without HIV in Botswana: An Adaptation of the Friendship Bench. J Adolesc Health 78(4): 639-647, April 2026 Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.12.260.Romeo DJ, Wagner CS, Ahluwalia V, Punchak M, Ryan IA, Villavisanis DF, Massenburg BB, Ng JJ, Wu M, Khona Z, Motlhwa WS, Lekaba OV, Salo K, Akarapimand P, Liao EC, Masole L, Steenhoff AP, Brooks MJ, Swanson JW, Tjinjeka U, Taylor JA: The State of Surgery in Botswana, 2018 to 2022. J Craniofac Surg 36(8): e1292-e1297, November/December 2025 Notes: doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011940.
Phoi O, Brooks MJ, Sathyamoorthi C, Matshaba M: Uncovering Psychosocial Factors and Interventions across different age groups of PLWH at Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence (BBCCCOE). BIPAI Annual Meeting 2025 July 2025.
Brooks MJ, Choe K, Eschliman EL, Poku OB, Setumo SBL, Entaile P, Morapedi K, Sebogodi K, Stockton M, Ho-Foster A, Nyblade L, Yang LH: A Qualitative Study of the Adaptation of a Facility-Level Training Using “What Matters Most” to Reduce Intersectional Stigma Toward Pregnant Women Living With HIV in Botswana. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 36(5): 554-566, July 2025 Notes: doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000569.
Phoi O, Brooks MJ, Sathyamoorthi A, Matshaba M: Tailoring Care: A Gender-Based Analysis of Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors in HIV Patients. BIPAI Annual Meeting 2025 July 2025.
Loabile B, Bilker WB, Khunou K, Ngwako N, Tsima B, Brooks MJ, Moloi T, Morroni C, Gross R: Association of HIV status with infections complicating abortion in Botswana. AIDS. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004176, 39(7): 923-926, Jun 2025.
Brissett D, Jones T, Brooks MJ, Jones M, Neal O, Knight K, Williams T, Darien K, Williams J, Thomas D, Foster C, Ginsburg K, Dowshen N: Adultification of Young Black Females on Their Health and Well-being: A Qualitative Study. Pediatrics 155(6): e2024069110, June 2025 Notes: doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-069110.
Burmen B, Kurtzman G, Olashore AA, Baghirova-Busang L, Poku O, Morakanyane P, Tshume O, Phoi O, Matshaba M, Lowenthal ED, Morales KH, Brooks MJ.: HIV Virologic Suppression and Mental Well-being in Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV. Int J MCH AIDS 14: e007, May 2025 Notes: doi: 10.25259/IJMA_45_2024.
Brooks MJ, Ayoubi P, Lustig E, Kealeboga K, Morakanyane P, Stockton M, Loabile B, Ajibola G, Yang L, Poku O, Matula S: 84. “People Who Get Me…Don’t Judge. Don’t Give Me Nasty Looks, Because I’m Here for a Reason”: Perspectives of Health Services from Youth in Botswana. J Adolesc Health 76(3): S44-S45, March 2025 Notes: do: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.11.100.
Lustig E, Kealeboga KM, Poku O, Ajibola G, Matula S, Brooks MJ: Youth Perspectives on Causes of Negative Mental Health and Facilitators of Positive Mental Health: Findings from Botswana. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 63(10, Supplement): S234, October 2024 Notes: Poster presentation at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.08.257.