Jennifer Kurkowski, WHNP

Jennifer Kurkowski knew she wanted to become a nurse practitioner after volunteering at a hospital in high school.  She has built her career as a clinician, educator, and leader in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, combining her passions for pediatrics and women’s health to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to adolescents and young women.

Whether patients come to her for well-woman exams, painful periods, or contraceptive counseling, Jennifer prioritizes creating a private, comfortable environment where teens feel safe asking questions about their bodies and health. She is passionate about educating adolescents on topics such as puberty, reproductive health, safe sex, and the effects of drugs and alcohol. Her clinical interests include caring for adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding disorders, and complex medical conditions.

Jennifer serves as a gynecology provider within the multidisciplinary Lupus Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she collaborates with specialists to provide comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

As associate director of the Adolescent Hematology and Gynecology Clinic, she specializes in the clinical care of girls with heavy periods or bleeding disorders, such as Von Willebrand disease.

 She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications, national presentations, and educational initiatives focused on improving reproductive and gynecologic care for adolescents with complex medical conditions.

Jennifer is also deeply committed to education and mentorship. As a preceptor for nurse practitioner students from multiple universities, she provides hands-on clinical training and mentorship, helping future providers develop their clinical skills and confidence in caring for adolescent patients. Over the course of her career, she has dedicated more than 2,000 hours to clinical teaching and mentorship.

Her leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) Research Committee.

Her clinical and academic contributions have been recognized nationally, including receiving the NPWH Inspiration in Women’s Health Award for Clinical Practice and the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Alumni Award for Clinical Achievement in Nursing.

Personal Statement

I’m someone who enjoys staying busy and making the most of family time. Outside of work, I love traveling with my family, including my twins born in 2016 and our youngest born in 2021. You’ll usually find me at kids’ sporting events, working out, trying new restaurants, or relaxing with a good book. I enjoy staying active, exploring new places, and creating fun memories along the way.

Organizations

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Kurkowski JP, Hsieh G, Sokkary N, Santos X, Bercaw-Pratt JL, Dietrich JE. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in the Houston area presenting for reproductive healthcare at Texas Children's Hospital. Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology 2012 Jun;25(3):213-7. PubMed PMID: 22578483.

Behcet’s Disease Related to Menstruation, Resolved With Birth Control: A Case Report Kurkowski, Jennifer et al. Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Volume 28 , Issue 2 , e70 3.

View publications on PubMed