Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

 Reynolds Geriatric Interdisciplinary Translational Research Institute

May 18 & 19, 2011

The 3rd annual Geriatric Interdisciplinary Translational Research Institute was held in the College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center on May 18 & 19, 2011.  The institute is designed to address preparatory needs for research training in translational science in aging among doctorally prepared nurses and other health-related disciplines statewide. The interactive format of attendee-involvement is planned to act as an “incubator” for interdisciplinary and translational ideas that can stimulate research across the state and beyond.  This year’s focus was “Methods Matter: Translational Geriatric Research Interventions,” with speakers addressing such important research issues as motivation in interventions, fidelity in implementing research, and state of the science on falls in older adults.  Issues involving interdisciplinary research included, negotiating intellectual property, reconciling differences, and drawing on institutional resources. Keynote speaker and Distinguished Scholar in Aging for the institute was Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at the University of Maryland. Dr. Resnick is internationally known for her work on restorative care with older adults.  She maintains a clinical/faculty position with clinical work at Roland Park Place, a Lifecare community.  She has published over 150 articles in nursing and/or medical journals, numerous chapters in nursing and medical textbooks related to care of the older adult, and a book on Restorative Care Nursing.  Other featured speakers were:  Meredeth Rowe, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Professor at University of Florida College of Nursing, who studies wandering patterns in older adults with dementia who become lost.  She has developed and commercialized a home monitoring system for caregivers of persons with dementia, and parents of autistic children;  Lawrence Rubenstein, PhD, MPH, FACP, Chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is internationally known for his research in fall risk assessment and the development of interventions to prevent falls in older adults;  Martha Ogilvie, PhD, MS is Assistant Vice President for Research at the OUHSC with wide experience in both corporate and university-based operations related to the administration of sponsored research and creative activities.  Barbara J. Holtzclaw, PhD, RN, FAAN is Associate Director, Geriatric Nursing Translational Science Training, for the D.W. Reynolds Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence and brings skills and strategies for interpreting aging science and multidisciplinary research findings to her role in research leadership in geriatric care. Her research and over 50 publications on the topics of thermoregulatory responses have helped establish her reputation in this area. She is best known for translational studies where basic science concepts are used to develop clinical nursing interventions.  Janet Sullivan Wilson, PhD, RN is Associate Professor at the OUHSC College of Nursing, where her research uses technology to bring together community based, interdisciplinary teams to gather data, study problems, and design evidence based solutions for child, adult, and older adult victims of violence.

Distinguished Scholar in Aging to Visit College of Nursing & OU Health Sciences Campus Spring 2011

March 24 & 25, 2011

Susan J. Henly, PhD, RN, Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, visited the OUHSC College of Nursing as Distinguished Scholar in Aging March 24 & 25, 2011. Dr. Henly is an expert in research methods and investigates psychometric methods for nursing research, longitudinal models, health trajectories, and symptom experiences. She also is the principal investigator for a project that focuses on developing ways to better understand how interventions influence health trajectories during translational, acute, or chronic health challenges across the life span.
During her first day here, she met with College faculty to discuss geriatric career paths for nursing graduates,  presented research findings on” Modeling Health Trajectories: Launching Person-Centered Research ,” to a campus-wide audience, and met with small groups of clinical nurses,  nurse practitioners, and students at the Veterans Administration Hospital and the OU Medical Center. 

Her second day was dedicated to meeting and presenting to nurse educators from nursing programs from across the state.  This group, the Oklahoma Geriatric Nurse Educator Workgroup (OGNEW), meets twice a year with opportunities to learn from experts like Dr. Henly.

 2010 Gerontological Society of America Conference (GSA)

November 18-22, 2010

Reynolds Center Faculty, Scholars, Faculty Fellows, and PhD students attended the 63rd annual scientific meeting in New Orleans in November.  The Center Director, Dr. Lazelle Benefield, Center faculty and PhD students attended conference sessions, presented posters, hosted a lunch with colleagues, and shared an early evening of collegial discussion with consultant Dr. Karen Schumacher, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Reynolds Center Associate Director, Barbara Holtzclaw, PhD, RN, FAAN, presented a poster at the GSA conference with PhD student, Diana Sturdevant, on “Sleep and Thermal Comfort in Nursing Home Residents”. (below, left)  See photo 50 for this Reynolds Center Associate Director, Janet Wilson, PhD, RN, presented a poster at the GSA conference with PhD student, Sheryl Buckner, on  a “Pilot Study of Older Adults’ Lived Experience of Transitioning from Hospital to Home”. 

Reynolds Center Associate Director, Janet Wilson, PhD, RN, presented a poster at the GSA conference with PhD student, Sheryl Buckner, on  a “Pilot Study of Older Adults’ Lived Experience of Transitioning from Hospital to Home”.   (below, center)

Reynolds Director, Center faculty and PhD students are shown here with consultant Karen L. Schumacher, PhD, RN.  Standing, from left to right: Dr. Patsy Smith, Dr. Denise Short, Dean Lazelle Benefield, Diana Sturdevant, Dr. Janet Wilson, Helen Farrar, Sheryl Buckner.  Seated, from left to right:  Dr. Barbara Holtzclaw, Carol Stewart, Dr. Karen Schumacher. (below, right)

 Translating Aging Science for Research

May 18 & 19, 2010

The second Geriatric Interdisciplinary Translational Research Institute  brought together  38 professionals from the fields of nursing , allied health, architecture and interior design, state and local agencies, and health and exercise science to work toward interdisciplinary collaborative research in geriatric science. 

This year’s speakers included Dr. Meredeth Rowe from the University of Florida College of Nursing, Dr. Graham McDougall from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Michael Bemben, Department Chair of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus, Dr. Barbara Holtzclaw and Dr. Janet Wilson from the University of Oklahoma health Sciences Center College of Nursing.

Sessions included topics on exercise interventions, brain fitness, community-based partnerships in fraud and violence prevention, and understanding Translational Research with interdisciplinary partnerships.

The 2010 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Conference

February 24, 2010

The Reynolds Center faculty, Reynolds Scholars, and OU College of Nursing faculty attended the February 3-5 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Conference in Austin, 2010. 

Shown in the group photo from left-right are: first row Reynolds Scholar Beth Hall, Reynolds Scholar Lillian Pope, Dr. Barbara Holtzclaw, Dr. Janet Wilson, Reynolds Scholar Alana Anderson. Second row from left-right are:  Reynolds Scholar Carol Stewart, Dr. Lazelle Benefield, Dr. Jo Azzarello, and Dr. Stephanie Marfurt. Reynolds Scholar, Beth Hall, presented a poster on, "Geriatric Case Manager Caregiver Interventionist: Key Role Processes", as seen with her poster and with Dr. Janet Wilson in the photos to the right and left respectively. 

Dr. Nancy Chu offered a podium symposium entitled, "Health Needs of Vietnamese and American Elders".  Dr. Jo Azzarello offered a podium symposium entitled, "What Were They Thinking?Cognitions While Using Monitoring Records to Solve Glycemic Control Problems".

"Deonditioning in the Aging Adult: Translating the Science for Application"

January 12, 2010

Shown in the photo are College of Nursing attendees proudly standing in front of the poster “Deconditioning in the Aging Adult: Translating the Science for Application” presented by Lillian Pope (Reynolds Scholar), and her mentor Barbara Holtzclaw, (Reynolds Faculty and Associate Director of Geriatric Nursing Translational Research Training).  From left to right: Carol Stewart (Reynolds Scholar), Diana Sturdevant (PhD special student), Ms. Pope and Dr. Holtzclaw. Other attendees from the College of Nursing included:  Beth Hall (Reynolds Scholar), Alana Anderson (Reynolds Scholar), Helen Farrar (PhD student), Dr. Janet Wilson (Reynolds Faculty Mentor), Dr. Nancy Chu (Associate Director, Reynolds Scholar Recruitment), Dr. Jo Azzarello (Reynolds Faculty Fellow), and Interim Dean Lazelle Benefield, Director, Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

Dr. Jana Pressler 2008-2009 Associate Director, Reynolds Scholar Recruitment for the Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing

October 22, 2009

Dr. Jana Pressler, PhD, RN, served as Associate Director, Reynolds Scholar Recruitment, in the Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence from 2008-2009.  For her dedication and commitment to support the Reynolds Center in seeking highly qualified nurses for the College of Nursing PhD program and the Reynolds Scholarship, Dr. Lazelle Benefield presented Dr. Pressler with a recognition plaque and personal statement of appreciation for all she has done this past year.

Nancy Chu Selected as Judith Braun Award for Research Excellence at the National Gerontological Nursing Association Finalist

October 15, 2009

Nancy Chu, PhD, GCNS-BC, FNGNA, was selected as one of the three finalists for the Judith Braun Award for Research Excellence at the National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) 2009 Convention in St. Louis, MO, October 9-11, 2009 for her poster presentation entitled “Health Needs of Vietnamese American Elders”.  As a finalist, Dr. Chu also made a podium presentation on this research at the conference.  Dr. Chu is currently an Associate Professor at OU College of Nursing and a faculty member of the Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

Fellow in the Stanford Geriatric Education Center Minifellowship in Ethnogeriatrics

October 15, 2009

Dr. Patsy Smith has been accepted as a Fellow in the Stanford Geriatric Education Center Minifellowship in Ethnogeriatrics. This highly competitive program includes 60 hours of intensive supervised training and 80 hours of self-study on topics related to health care of elders from different ethnic backgrounds especially for faculty, educators, researchers, and clinicians/providers with teaching functions in health care, social services, and pastoral professions.

Dr. Smith is presently a scholar in our Nursing Research Scholar Program (NRSP) and will be able to undertake these objectives here in Oklahoma as she develops publication and grantsmanship products for the NRSP.  She also serves as a faculty member of the Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

2009 Reynolds Scholars Chosen

August 11, 2009

Alana Anderson, RN, MS and Carol Stewart, RN, MS, GCNS-BC have been selected as 2009-2010 Reynolds Scholars the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence announced today.  Reynolds Scholars are PhD students who have a research focus on aging in place and are planning academic careers in geriatric nursing education in the state of Oklahoma.  In addition to a two-year scholarship, each Scholar enjoys special mentoring, interdisciplinary academic opportunities in geriatrics and access to national experts in aging.

Ms. Anderson is an instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma.  She plans to study depression and suicide in the elderly.  Ms. Stewart serves on the faculty of OU’s College of Nursing and is OU’s representative in the Oklahoma Geriatric Nursing Education Workgroup.  Her research will focus on effective interventions that enable older adults with cognitive impairment to successfully continue living in the community.

For more information about the Reynolds Scholar award program, including application materials, visit http://nursing.ouhsc.edu/Geriatric%20Nursing/ReynoldsScholarship.htm.  The deadline for applying for the 2010- 2012 award is March 1, 2010.

Reynolds Center Cosponsors Summer Geriatric Institute

July 17, 2009

The Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence provided both presenters and participants for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 20th Summer Geriatric Institute, sponsored by The Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, and the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing as well as the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.  The institute, which offers geriatric education for health professionals across the state, was held July 15 and 16, 2009 in Norman and included more than 25 sessions.

Dr. Ricki Loar took the lead in coordinating the nursing track in the institute, working with the Department of Geriatric Medicine and the Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center and Sheryl Mappes.  Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence faculty presenting at the event included:

Lazelle Benefield, PhD, RN, FAAN
“Where We Are Headed:  Healthspan, Technology and Training for the 21st Century”

Kimetha Broussard, MS, RN, GCNS-BC
“Health Care Disparities in Older African Americans”

Ricki Loar, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, GNP-BC
“Improving Assessment and Management of Dementia:  How to Administer the Mini-Mental Status Exam”

Patsy Smith, PhD, RNC
“What's Resilience Got to Do With It:  Seeking Depression Care Among Older African Americans”

Carol Stewart, MS, RN, GCNS-BC
“Behavioral Challenges in an Aging Population”

The Reynolds Center also underwrote registration fees for eight graduate and undergraduate nursing students attending the institute. 

Dr. Jo Azzarello and Dr. Ricki Loar Receive First Reynolds Center Faculty Fellowships

July 13, 2009

Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence announced today that Jo Azzarello, PhD, RN and Ricki Loar, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, GNP-BC have been chosen as Reynolds Center Faculty Fellows in Postdoctoral Geriatric Translational Research Training.  Through this mentored postdoctoral program, the Reynolds Center helps 1) faculty who may not have previous geriatric training, or 2) geriatrics trained faculty who haven't had advanced research training, to develop competitive skills in writing research proposals and publications in this field.  It includes full participation in formal and informal training sessions in and outside the University of Oklahoma’s College of Nursing.

The first two Faculty Fellows were selected from nursing educators in the College and across the state.  Dr. Azzarello has background in Community Health Nursing, is Associate Professor, OU College of Nursing, and Principal Investigator on two studies using technology for problem solving skills and strategies for helping persons with diabetes mellitus maintain glycemic control.  Dr. Loar has expertise in use of computer technology in learning. She is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Assistant Professor, and Coordinates the Adult Nurse Practitioner Track, OU College of Nursing. The Faculty Fellows will collaborate on two projects exploring use of computer mediated technology in studying factors in information processing of older adults learning diabetes self care skills.

Policy Leadership Award Goes to Reynolds Faculty

July 8, 2009

Nancy Chu, PhD, GCNS-BC, FNGNA, has been competitively selected by the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity program of the American Academy of Nursing as one of three award recipients to attend the Gerontological Society of America Policy Leadership Institute, which will take place October 21 – 23, 2009 in Washington, DC.  The institute demystifies the process of policy-making by taking gerontology scholars to Capitol Hill to learn from key political constituents.

Dr. Chu is Associate Professor in OU’s College of Nursing and a member of the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence faculty.

Nursing Students Learn the Effects of “Elderspeak” from Dr. Kristine Williams

July 8, 2009

Kristine Williams, RN, PhD, APRN, BC, provided OU College of Nursing students and faculty with insight into the impact of communication styles on caregiving for Alzheimer’s patients during a July 7th visit under the auspices of the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.  While on campus, Dr. Williams spoke with several classes on the effects of elderspeak in dementia care as well as career paths from BSN to nurse scientist.

Dr. Williams  is an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing and the first graduate of KU’s interdisciplinary PhD program in Gerontology.

Reynolds Center Faculty Member Selected for Prestigious National Fellowship to Improve Health Care

June 5, 2009

Margo MacRobert, a faculty member for OU's Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, has been selected as a 2009 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® Executive Nurse Fellow.  She is one of 20 nurses nationwide to be awarded this national fellowship focused on expanding the role of nurses to lead change in the U.S. health care system.  Dr. MacRobert is assistant dean of clinical operations at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.

Now in its 12th year, the three-year fellowship provides extensive leadership development for nurses in executive roles in public or community health, science and research, corporate health, academia, government or military health service. Fellows remain in their current positions while they receive training, mentoring and the opportunity to implement innovative health care strategies in their communities.

Dr. MacRobert has been a faculty member at the College of Nursing for the past 14 years. She developed a local nursing case-management practice to care for frail, home-bound seniors that is now available to elders throughout the state. The goal of this program is to increase elder safety, better manage their health care and decrease the rate of nursing facility placement.  

 Interdisciplinary Institute Draws Diverse Group of Geriatric Experts
May 20, 2009

Thirty-two professionals from the fields of nursing, medicine, psychology, architecture, occupational health, urban planning, biology/population ecology and social work participated in the first Reynolds Center Geriatric Interdisciplinary Translational Research Institute, Translating the Science of Aging, which was held May 18 and 19, 2009 on the OU Health Sciences Center campus.  The institute's aim was to foster the development of cross-discipline teams dedicated to aging in place research.

Speakers included Dr. Meredeth Rowe from the University of Florida College of Nursing; Dr. Bruce Carnes, OU College of Medicine; Dr. Chandini Sharma, OU School of Community Medicine; and Dr. Lazelle Benefield and Dr. Barbara Holtzclaw from the OU College of Nursing.

Reynolds Center Announces Upcoming Interdisciplinary Institute, Translating the Science of Aging

The Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence will offer a Geriatric Interdisciplinary Translational Research Institute May 18 – 19, 2009 at the University of Oklahoma’s Health Sciences Center.  The institute is designed to gather postdoctoral faculty from nursing, medicine, allied health, and related disciplines to examine the process of interpreting the emerging science of aging, understanding and reconciling cultures across disciplines, and mapping out researchable questions and strategies for collaborative research to support community-based aging in place. 

For more information, please visit http://nursing.ouhsc.edu/Geriatric_Nursing/institute.cfm. 

115 Attend Reynolds Center Distinguished Scholar in Aging Events

March 27, 2009

More than 115 faculty, students and community partners attended lectures given by Marilyn Rantz, PhD, RN, NHA, FAAN during her residency as the first Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Distinguished Scholar in Aging. 

Dr. Rantz presented five public lectures in Tulsa and Oklahoma City March 25 and 26, 2009 on aging in place, developing interdisciplinary research teams and improving quality of care in nursing homes.  In addition, she met privately with OU College of Nursing faculty and doctoral students and with members of the Oklahoma Geriatric Nursing Education Workgroup, a Reynolds Center-sponsored group of geriatric nursing faculty from across the state. 

Dr. Marilyn Rantz Visits OUHSC as Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Distinguished Scholar in Aging

March 2, 2009

The Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is pleased to announce that Marilyn Rantz, PhD, RN, NHA, FAAN, has been selected as the first Reynolds Distinguished Scholar in Aging.  She will provide a series of public lectures on community-based aging in place, interdisciplinary research teams, and improving quality of care in nursing homes at the University of Oklahoma’s Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses March 25 – 26, 2009.

Dr. Rantz is a nationally recognized expert in aging in place, technologies to enhance aging in place, quality of care in long-term care, and high performance interdisciplinary research and service teams.  She holds the positions of Professor at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, Associate Director for the MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging and Director of TigerPlace, an innovative residential facility for aging in place. 

For more information, please visit http://geriatricnursing.ouhsc.edu/visiting.htm.