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
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.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.
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.
Daniela Brissett, Tawanna Jones, Merrian Brooks, Mikayla Jones, Olivia Neal, Kayla Knight, Troi Williams, Kaja Darien, Joanna Lee Williams, Deborah Thomas, Carmelita Foster, Kenneth Ginsburg, Nadia Dowshen: Adultification of Young Black Females on Their Health and Well-being: A Qualitative Study. Pediatrics 155(6), April 2025 Notes: e2024069110. 10.1542/peds.2024-069110.
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.
Lustig E, Kealeboga KM, Poku O, Ajibola G, Matula S, Brooks MJ: Managing my mental health: adolescent perspectives on coping with mental health challenges and barriers to seeking formal mental health care in Botswana. Scand J Public Health October 2024 Notes: Poster presentation at the International Association for Adolescent Health European Regional Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Molebatsi K, Ntlantsana V, Brooks MJ, Seloilwe E: Association between Childhood Trauma, Mental Health Symptoms and Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV in Botswana. J Child Adolesc Trauma 17, August 2024 Notes: doi: 10.1007/s40653-024-00658-x.
Ahmed CV, Dlamini A, Mbuyisa M, Simelane M, Gallagher D, Golos A, Donworth G, Dubner J, McLain L, Lowenthal ED, Rice BM, Brooks MJ, Buttenheim AM.: The NUDGE Framework: Application to Address Behavioral Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy in Adolescents Living With HIV in Eswatini. AIDS Educ Prev 36(4): 285-298, Aug 2024 Notes: doi: 10.1521/aeap.2024.36.4.285.
Brooks MJ, Kendall-Taylor N, Ginsburg KR: Productive Messaging to Promote Youth Mental Well-Being and Positive Development in Clinical and Advocacy Settings. Pediatr Clin North Am 71(4): 707-727, August 2024 Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.04.009. Epub 2024 Jun 4.