Grant Awards:
The National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center awarded a $968,360 K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award to Dr. Schola Matovu for her project Development and Testing of BAJJAJJA: An Intervention to Promote Economic Empowerment and Health of Grandmothers Who Provide Primary Care for Grandchildren in Uganda. Dr. Lee Ellington and Dr. Noeline Nakasujja of Makerere University are Dr. Matovu’s primary mentors. Dr. Xiaoming Sheng will provide statistical support. During this five-year project, the team will refine, adapt, and test BAJJAJJA (Building A Joint Action for JaJJAs), an innovative, multi-component intervention consisting of an income generating activity (IGA, facilitated by IGA experts) and health coaching (facilitated by visiting nurses). In the absence of child welfare and similar social services in the sub-Saharan setting, extended family members, often older grandmothers (Bajjajja), frequently step forward and bear the crucial burden of caring for children whose parents have died or are otherwise affected by poor social determinants of health. Considering the resulting public health crises many sub-Saharan Africa countries would face without the safety net afforded by grandmother-caregivers, it is critical to address health outcomes and wellbeing of these older adults, who are already vulnerable to age-related poor health outcomes and chronic socioeconomic stressors that may be further exacerbated by caregiving.
The National Institute of Justice awarded a $575,000 grant to Dr. Julie Valentine for her 2-year study titled What about Us? Formative Evaluation of Forensic Nursing Program Delivery of Intimate Partner Violence Medical Forensic Examinations. Members of the research team include Dr. Bob Wong (Co-Investigator), Dr. Heather Melton (Co-Investigator), Keiko Crawley, and Dr. Nancy Downing. The purpose of this formative evaluation study – which will begin January 1, 2025 and be conducted in Salt Lake City, Utah; Maricopa County, Arizona; and El Paso County, Colorado – is to advance knowledge and understanding of forensic nursing program delivery of intimate partner violence medical forensic examinations. The team will create three logic models, which will create a framework for future research on intimate partner violence medical forensic examinations program delivery.
Professional Recognition:
Dr. Justin Rigby and Dr. Sarah Canham – Director and Co-Director, respectively, of the University of Utah Health Interprofessional Education (IPE) Program expressed appreciation to faculty for their exceptional contributions as facilitators in the IPE program from Fall Semester 2018 to Spring Semester 2024. In a letter addressed to Dr. Linda Hofmann and Dr. Lauri Linder they wrote, “Through their dedication and expertise, these faculty members have significantly enriched the educational experiences of our students and have played a vital role in fostering collaboration among students from various disciplines. Their commitment to promoting interprofessional teamwork and communication in healthcare has had a profound impact on our institution's mission to prepare future healthcare professionals for the challenges they will face in their careers… We would like to express our deepest gratitude to these faculty members for their ongoing commitment to excellence in interprofessional education. Their contributions are invaluable to the success of our program, and we are truly grateful for their dedication to advancing collaborative healthcare practice.”
The faculty members are:
- Tamara Ekker, 155 hours, Platinum level
- Dr. Jennifer Macali, 60 hours, Platinum level
- Dr. Zoe Robbins, 48 hours, Platinum level
- Dr. Chris Macintosh, 28 hours, Gold level
- Dr. Liz Greene, 25 hours, Gold level
- Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, 23 hours, Gold level
- Dr. Sue Chase Cantarini, 23 hours, Gold level
- Dr. John Nerges, 23 hours, Gold level
- Dr. Natalie Allen, 18 hours, Silver level
- Dr. Sheila Deyette, 15 hours, Silver level
- Dr. Sherri Evershed, 13 hours, Silver level
- Dr. Rebecca Wilson, 13 hours, Silver level
For the first time in years, the College’s total grant portfolio has surpassed $52.5M and continues to grow thanks to our faculty, and members of the Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center (EEJNRC) team, program managers, study coordinators, and research assistants who support all phases of their projects.
- Associate Dean for Research: Provide visionary and strategic leadership for sponsored (grants and contracts) and internal research programs, provide administrative leadership for the EEJNRC, and guide College personnel to develop capacity for research.
- Dr. Andrea Wallace
- Director: Direct the EEJNRC and ensure that budget, management, and compliance processes are robust and effective.
- Terri Pianka
- Pre-Awards Team: Help faculty, post-docs, and students identify and apply for a diverse range of funding opportunities.
- Hollie Fuhrmann
- Emily Baily
- Harper Vander Hoek
- Post-Awards Team: Manage the day-to-day administration and reporting of active grants.
- Rachel Hamilton
- Helen Yang
- Nurse Scientist Training: Oversee the post-doctoral program and help make connections for PhD and undergraduate students.
- Emilee Cluff
- Statistical Team: Provide invaluable statistical and data management support across the college.
- Dr. Xiaoming Sheng
- Dr. Bob Wong
- Dr. Eli Iacob
- Keiko Cawley
- Dr. Seneca Moore helps integrate AI into research and training.
- Administrative Support: Organize and coordinate training and events that support the research mission.
- Colleen Neering
- Research Program Managers: Plan, organize, direct, and oversee aspects of research projects; interact with personnel at clinical study sites and sponsors; onboard staff; make purchases; support faculty and staff; and/or manage data.
- Ana Liquin
- Christina Echeverria
- Jacqueline Telonidis
- Karissa Mirus
- Megan McClure
- Nancy Aruscavage
- Somer Aly
- Clinical Research Coordinators, Study Coordinators, Research Nurses, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, Nurse Practitioner Clinicians, and Research Analysts: Support scientists in numerous ways in accordance with the nature of the study or project.
- Adonica Kauwe Tuitama
- Amber Dayley
- Anna Fetzer
- Annemarie Rousseau
- Bruno Rodriguez Gonzales
- Cassie Kuhn
- Chaz Davis
- Christopher Hernandez
- Emily Gilgen
- Ernest Grigorian
- Hannah Bruce
- Ida Tovar
- Jacqueline Kent-Marvick
- Joe Delannoy
- Keiko Cawley
- Mackenzie Elliot
- Megan Rose
- Nicole Fleming
- Pamela Barrientos
- Roxanne Geurin
- Samantha Stebleton
- Tracey Mai
- Vinay Kumaran
- Wen Tu
Award:
The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault presented Dr. Julie Valentine with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault Beacon of Hope Award. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment and service to victims or sexual violence, as well as those that improve the accessibility or appropriateness of systems for victims or sexual violence.
Presentations:
Dr. Julie Valentine delivered the keynote address at the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault Gala at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
Dr. Rebecca Wilson, Dr. Cynthia Beynon, and Jesika Chavez-England presented a poster titled Community of Inquiry Framework to Teach Health Equity at the National League for Nursing Education Summit in San Antonio.
Publications:
Aaron SP, Supiano K, Desimio S. Voices of care: Nurses' perspectives on end-of-life care for Black/African American patients. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. In press.
Ansari N, Warner E, Taylor-Swanson L, Wilson R, Van Epps J, Iacob E, Supiano K. Nurses navigating moral distress, resilience, and team dynamics: A literature review. Nurs Ethics. 2024. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330241277992