Publications

Scholarly Journals--Accepted

  • Thiruvengadam NR, Joachim-Celestin M, Matangi N, Mohr G, Eguia E, Brothers J, Narayan R, Ferrell B, Montgomery S. Results from a pilot feasibility study of a novel community health worker–led intervention delivering stepped palliative care and care navigation for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2026 May; 22(206):suppl 16; abstr 12081.  Suppl.12081 (05/2026)

Scholarly Journals--Published

  • Matangi N, Joachim-Célestin M, Rivas L, Montgomery SB, Thiruvengadam NR. Culturally Tailored Palliative Care Communication for Pancreatic Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers: A Bilingual Community Health Worker Intervention. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 2026 May 25.  Epub ahead of print. Pancreatic cancer patients in linguistically diverse communities face significant barriers to timely palliative care engagement, compounded by limited health literacy and cultural communication gaps. California's Inland Empire, home to a large Hispanic population, exemplifies this challenge. Investigators developed and evaluated a bilingual, community health worker (CHW)-delivered palliative care intervention for pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers using a community-centered approach. Educational videos and handouts were created incorporating physician expertise, CHW cultural knowledge, and plain-language health literacy principles, covering diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care. Bilingual CHWs delivered navigation and education through home visits, video calls, and telephone contact. Three in-depth case studies, representative of the broader participant group, were analyzed. Findings illustrate how culturally tailored communication delivered across multiple formats and reinforced by trusted CHWs facilitated progressive palliative care engagement despite initial resistance, complex family dynamics, and social challenges, including homelessness. Observed outcomes included increased advance directive completion and greater acceptance of palliative care consultations. This pilot demonstrates that bilingual, culturally adapted educational resources paired with CHW support can reduce communication barriers and support patients and caregivers in navigating a serious diagnosis. The approach shows promise for improving timely palliative care engagement and warrants larger-scale evaluation. (05/2026) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Distelberg, B., Habimana, S., Rivas, L., and Montgomery, S.B. Supporting healthy weight in times of crisis: results of a one-year community health worker-led intervention among food (in)secure low-income Latinas. BMC Public health, volume 25. Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a major health crisis, one that left the US healthcare system overburdened and with persisting health disparities between certain groups. A group that was and remains disproportionately affected is low-income Latino women (Latinas), especially those with food insecurity. Community health worker (CHW)-led interventions have been successful at improving the results of interventions among disadvantaged populations but their efficacy during times of crisis is not clear. Our purpose was to assess the one-year effects of an intervention for low-income overweight/obese Latinas delivered by CHWs during the first year of the pandemic. Results between food insecure and food secure individuals are compared. Methods For this non-equivalent multi-method/mixed methods study, overweight/obese low-income Latinas (N = 62) living in Southern California attended a weight-management lifestyle intervention led by trained CHWs. The intervention began immediately prior to the pandemic and lasted for a year. Hemoglobin A1C and biometric measurements were collected in three months intervals from baseline. Baseline to one-year post results are the focus of this paper. Qualitative feedback from participants is also analyzed and compared. Results Participants’ weight and waist circumference improved (p = .004 and p = .005, respectively) with younger participants experiencing larger improvements. However, those experiencing food insecurity benefited as much as food secure participants at one year follow-up. Weight loss was attributed mainly to social/emotional support and increased knowledge. Conclusion While most of their fellow community-members gained weight, obese and overweight low-income, food insecure Latinas enrolled in a CHW-led intervention were able to lose weight and reduce their risk of obesity-related chronic diseases during the peak of the pandemic. (11/2025) (link)
  • Matangi, N., Joachim-Célestin, M., Granillo, C., Rodarte, V., Buckles, B., Ashby, T., Thiruvengadam, N., and Montgomery, S. (2025). A mixed methods exploration of social media use for health information in under-resourced communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(7), 1081 (07/2025) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M. & Montgomery, S.B. (2024). Making the most of familismo to curb the diabetes epidemic: early evidence of success delivering the same intervention to Latinas at risk for and with diabetes. Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes;17.  (09/2024) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Matangi, M., Bagcus, J., and Montgomery, S.B. (2024). Religiosity of Latinas living in the USA curbs depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 63, Issue 2. (04/2024) (link)
  • Ioffe, Y.J., Hong, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Soret, C., Montgomery, S.B., and Untermaehrer, J.J. (2023). Genetic Testing in the Latinx community: Impact of acculturation and provider relationships. Gynecologic Oncology 169, 125-130. (12/2022) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Rockwood, N.J., Clarke, C., and Montgomery S.B. (2022). Evaluating the Full Plate Living lifestyle intervention among low-income Latinas with and without food insecurity. Women's Health (London, England). 18, 17455057221091350. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221091350 (04/2022) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., Dos Santos, H., & Montgomery S.B. (2021). Delivering an intervention to Hispanic/Latinos with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Early evidence of success in a longitudinal mixed method study. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580211055595 (11/2021) (link)
  • Lee, L.K., Ruano, E., Fernandez, P., Ortega, S., Lucas, C., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2021). Workforce readiness training: A comprehensive training model that equips community health workers to work at the top of their practice and profession. Frontiers in Public Health. 9:673208. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.673208 (06/2021) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Chara, R. & Montgomery, S.B. (2021). Living near an immigration detention center: impact on Latinas’ health. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.  (05/2021) (link)
  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., Dos Santos, H., & Montgomery S.B. (2020). A qualitative study on the perspectives of Latinas enrolled in a diabetes prevention program. Is the cost of prevention too high? Journal of Primary Care and Community Health (07/2020) (link)
  • Deshields, S., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara M., Miller, L.M., DaCosta Davis, S.S., Montgomery S.B. & Clarke, C. (2019). Intention to implement a healthy lifestyle: does acculturation make a difference? Journal of Quality in Health Care & Economics. (11/2019) (link)
  • Miller, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara, M., Deshields, S., DaCosta Davis, S., Montgomery, S.B., & Clarke, C. (2019). Acculturation, familial support, and unhealthful dietary patterns: evaluating notable trends in a Latino population. Harvard Public Health Review. 2019; 23. (09/2019) (link)
  • Clarke, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Lara, M, Rea, B., & Montgomery, S.B. (2019). Diabetes, obesity and its root causes: a Latino perspective. Diabetes and Obesity International Journal, Vol. 4, Issue 3. DOI: 10.23880/doij-16000211   (07/2019) (link)
  • Clarke, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Rae, B., Lara M., & Montgomery, S.B. (2019). Immigration to the US: The insidious health risk factor. Journal of Health Science, 7. DOI:10.17265/2328-7136/2019.04.004 (04/2019) (link)

Abstract

  • Gupta, A.R., Richards, J., Sakai, L., Al-Manaseer, F., Nguyen, Miles, E., Cote, G.M., Ferrell, B.R., Joachim-Célestin, M., Montgomery, S., Saumoy, M., Reeves, M.E., and Thiruvengadam, N.R. (2024). Correlations of significant delays and ethnic disparities in the receipt of treatment, palliative care, and supportive care in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol. 42, Issue 16_suppl.   (05/2024) (link)
  • Ioffe, Y., Hong, L., Joachim-Célestin, M., Soret, C., Schwartz, Z., Montgomery, S., and Unternaehrer, J. (2022). Exploring the role of acculturation in promoting genetic testing in the Latinx community (417). Gynecologic Oncology 166, S210-S211. (08/2022) (link)
  • Soret, C., Joachim-Célestin, M., Hong, L., Schwartz, Z., Montgomery, S., Unternaehrer, J., and Ioffe, Y. (2022). Education and context matter when it comes to genetic testing among Latinx women (424). Gynecologic Oncology 166, S213-S214. (08/2022) (link)

Online Publications

  • Joachim-Célestin, M., Montgomery, S.B. (March 2021). Full Plate Living Intervention curriculum - English and Spanish. Includes the facilitator guide, participant guide and fiber guide supplement for community health workers leading this culturally-adapted Spanish intervention.  (03/2021) (link)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011).  Ministerial Spouses Association. General Conference Ministerial Association. Family meals.  (2011) (link)

Non-Scholarly Journals

  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011). Health benefits of family meals. The family that eats together:  A gift that can promote your family’s health and keep your children on track.  Ministry Magazine, 83(6), 13-16. (2011). (06/2011) (link)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011).  Faith at the Table. Australian Record, 16(8), 10-12. (04/2011)
  • Hopkins, G.L., McBride, D., Bacon, S., & Joachim-Célestin, M. (2011). Eat with your kids. Signs of the Times, 138(8), 10-13. (2011)
  • Hopkins, GL, McBride, D., & Célestin, M. (2011). “Policy Proposal to New Zealand Government for Preventing Alcohol Use Through Implementing Service Learning in Schools.” (2011)