Our NPNSC Executive Board
NPNSC Chair: Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Froh, PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Barbara Giambra, PhD, RN, CPNP
Assistant Professor and Nurse Practitioner, Cincinnati Children’s & Assistant Professor University of Cincinnati
Past Chair: Dr. Teri Hernandez, PhD, RN
Professor, University of Colorado, College of Nursing & Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Dr. Renee Manworren, PhD, RN-BC, PCNS-BC, AP-PMN, FAAN
Posy and Fred Love Chair in Nursing Research, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Dr. Danielle Sarik, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital & Nurse Scientist, ChristianaCare Health System
Dr. Asma Taha, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, FAAN
Professor, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Nursing & Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Shriners Hospital for Children
Dr. Nhu Tran, PhD, RN, MSCBTI, CCRN, CCRP
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Southern California & Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Dr. Elaine Walsh, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor, University of Washington, School of Nursing & Nurse Scientist, Seattle Children’s
NPNSC’s Founder
NPNSC was founded in 2012 by Dr. Rosemary White-Traut, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dr. White-Traut is the Director of Nursing Research at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin & Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois, Chicago
our npnsc Associate members
PhD and DNP prepared Pediatric Nurse Scientists
Carin Adams, PhD, RN, CPN
Assistant Professor, Texas Woman’s University
The effect of screen technologies on the growth and development of children
Aylin Akca Sumengen, PhD, MSc, RN
Assistant Professor, The University of Alabama
Evaluation of the effect of an education program using innovative technology approaches on disease management in children with asthma
Deborah “hutch” Allen, PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, AOCNP
Clinical Nurse Scientist and Director of Nursing Research & EBP, Duke University Health System
Cognitive function of survivors of cancer, both adult and pediatrics
Intima Alrimawi, PhD, MPH, RN
Associate Professor, Georgetown University
Improving the quality of care for vulnerable families and children with complex health concerns or chronic diseases
Katheryne Tifuh Amba, PhD, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN
Nurse Scientist, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Population health, care disparities, patient safety and communication
Avery M. Anderson, PhD, PMHNP-BC, APRN
Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus College of Nursing
Psychological and physiological contributors to mental health disparities, specifically suicide, among transgender and gender diverse young people
Erin Arcipowski, PhD, RN, TNS
Manager, Research and Outcomes, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Global health, climate change, one health, social determinants of health, emergency preparedness/response
Jinbing Bai, PhD, RN, FAAN
Assistant Professor, Emory University
Cancer symptom science
Jennifer Baird, PhD, MPH, MSW, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPN
Director, Patient Care Services Education and Research, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Impact of family engagement in care delivery processes on patient safety and the family's experience of care
Gerene Bauldoff, PhD, RN, FCCP, MAACVPR, FAAN
Nurse Scientist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Patient-centered outcomes in lung transplant and pulmonary rehabilitation
Nicole Beckman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Minnesota
Psychosocial interventions for caregivers and children with life threatening conditions, quality of life, and posttraumatic growth, resilience, PNP workforce issues
Lori Batchelor, PhD, RN, CPN, NEA-BC
Senior Director Clinical Talent and Academic Partnerships. Children’s Health System of Texas
Experience of chronic sorrow in parents caring for their children with chronic conditions, and it's impact on parent and family
Karen Benzies, PhD, MN, BscN
Professor, University of Calgary
Effects of family integrated care in NICUs and inpatient pediatric units on child, parent, and health system outcomes
Monique Bouvier, PhD, RN, PNP-C
Assistant Professor, Emory University
The use of virtual care within the hospital setting on medical-surgical floors and including the nurse's voice in development of new technologies
Elizabeth Broden, PhD, RN
Post-doctoral Fellow, Yale University
Articulating and amplifying the role of primary palliative care nursing on the end-of-life experiences of children and families in the pediatric ICU
Deborah Busch, DNP, CPNP, IBCLC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Pediatric and lactation clinical and educational research, along with APRN/DNP educational research
Christina Calamaro, PhD, PPCNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Director of Research and EBP for Nursing and Allied Health. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Use of new technology and innovation at bedside to improve delivery of care and patient outcomes
Suzanne E. Courtwright, PhD, MSN, PNP, NEA-BC
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Columbia University School of Nursing
The role of pediatric nurse practitioner practice in child health equity
Cynthia A. Danford, PhD, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist II, Cleveland Clinic
Family-centered interventions to help families with young children adopt or enhance healthy lifestyle behaviors r/t eating, physical activity, and/or sleep
Rachel DiFazio, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist, Boston Children’s Hospital
Clinical outcomes for children with complex chronic conditions with a focus on surgical outcomes and post-operative recovery
Kimberly Dimino, DNP, RN, CCRN
Nurse Scientist, Hackensack Meridian Health
Patient and family centered care, engaging frontline nurses in scholarly change projects, academic practice partnerships, new grad nurse preparedness for practice
Della Derscheid, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor & Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mayo Clinic
Predictors and prevention of pediatric and adult patient-related workplace violent events in the inpatient medical setting
Kathleen Ellis, PhD, RN, CCRN-K, CNE
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Health
Neonatal families, trauma-informed care, intimate partner violence
Beth Ely, PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist, University of New Hampshire
Pediatric pain assessment and management. Procedural related pain coping and management, and pain assessment of children with autism
Anne Ersig, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Effects of cumulative life stress on the later life health and well-being of individuals with chronic health conditions (allostatic load, epigenetic modifications, stress responses)
Media Esser, Phd, NNP-BC, CNP, CWCN
Nurse Practitioner, Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Diaper dermatitis and neonatal skin conditions in the neonatal population, awareness and intervention to the challenging issues of neonatal skin
Lucine Francis, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Developing and implementing evidence-based programming for child-serving organizations to support a culture of health and learning in children
Warren Frankenberger, PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Nursing decision making and patient outcomes within the context of emergency nursing and triage across the United States
Cara Gallegos, PhD, RN, EBP-C
Associate Professor, Boise State University
Stress and depression in parents of critically ill children and children with special healthcare needs
Pamela Gampetro, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor, University of Illinois
The effects of system failures on providers who are committed to delivering excellent patient care with an emphasis on pediatric healthcare settings
Perry M. Gee, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist, Intermountain Health
System nurse scientist conducting research in numerous domains
Sheila Gephart, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor, University of Arizona
Technology-enabled and stakeholder-engaged approaches to transform neonatal intensive care and optimize the prevention and timely recognition of necrotizing enterocolitis
Jamie Gilley, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Texas Children’s Hospital
Pulmonary hypertension severity and outcomes of infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Martha Grubaugh, PhD, RN, NE-BC
Research Nurse Scientist, UCHealth
Workforce, leadership, nurse manager, practice environment, and staffing models
Sandy Hagstrom, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Nurse Scientist, Fairview Health Services
Nurses' practices related to assessment and management of pain and sedation, & family stesss in pediatric critical care
Kirsten Hanrahan, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Director, Research & Evidence-Based Practice, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Pediatric procedural pain, implementation
Thao Griffith, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, Loyola University of Chicago
Utilizing biobehavioral epigenetic approaches as a clinical strategy to reduce the impact of early life stress on preterm infant development
Scott Harpin, PhD, MPH, RN
Professor, University of Colorado College of Nursing
Pediatric mental health outcomes; at-risk adolescent health; vaccine hesitancy
Cathy Haut, DNP, CPNP-PC/AC, FAANP, FAAN
Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Nemours Children’s Health
Pediatric palliative care and provider spirituality, Nurse practitioner practice and residency
Jennifer Hayakawa, DNP, CNS, CNRN, CCRN-K
Director of Nursing Research and Innovation, Children's Hospital Orange County
Joy in work, storytelling, as well as supporting the diverse EBP and research interests of our clinical teams
Mary Heitschmidt, PhD, APRN, CCRN-K, FAHA
Director of Clinical Research, Rush System for Health
Family dyadic research in patients with chronic conditions; Health system research
Karen Hessler, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Research Nurse Scientist, UCHealth
Pediatric obesity prevention, health care in rural cultures, nursing resiliency, and stress reduction & recovery
Katherine Hinderer, PhD, RN, CNE, NEA-BC
Nurse Scientist, Connecticut Children’s
End-of-life, palliative care, and advance care planning/decision-making; Nurse practice environment and wellbeing; Mentoring; Interprofessional education, practice, & research; Pediatric behavioral health.
Kristin Hittle Gigli, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC
Assistant Professor, University of Texas, Arlington
The role of advanced practice providers in pediatric hospitals care
Sue Horner, PhD, RN, APRN-CNS, RNC-NIC
Nurse Scientist, Lurie Children’s
Impacts of parent presence and engagement in the neonatal intensive care unit on stress-related outcomes in parents and infants
Lauren Kalember, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN-K
Director, Nursing Excellence & Inquiry. Texas Children’s Hospital.
Use of innovative education modalities to improve nursing knowledge and confidence in clinical practice
Urvi Jhaveri Sanghvi, PhD, RN
Clinical Data Scientist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Leveraging continuous physiological signal measurement and improving supplemental oxygen delivery to support the environmental adaptation of infants following extremely preterm birth
Elizabeth Johnson, PhD, MS-CRM, RN
Assistant Professor, Montana State University
Clinical trial participant safety management and effective communication of protocol constraints on care delivery among pediatric oncology patients during non-research related encounters
Nurse Scientist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nurse-led interventions in pediatric critical care, with a specific focus on sleep and circadian rhythm promotion and delirium prevention
Marni Kellogg, PhD, RN, CPN, CNE
Assistant Professor, Dartmouth
Secondary traumatic stress in pediatric nurses and workforce development
Lori Kennedy, PhD, RN ACNP-BC, CCRN-K, CNRN, FNCS
Director, Center for Nursing Science, & Clinical Nurse Scientist, UC Davis Health
Neurocritical care and neurotrauma care and impact on outcomes across the lifespan. And inquiry infrastructure and impact on research and evidence implementation
Cathy Kleiner, PhD, RN
Director Research, Innovation & Professional Practice, Children's Hospital Colorado
Communication and workforce research
Neisbe Kutahyalioglu, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
Family-centered care practices in the NICU & parent-infant attachment and separation after birth because of hospitalization
Rebecca La Blanca Barber, PhD, RN, CPN
Research Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Interventions to improve self-care abilities in children with type 1 diabetes
Cynthia LaFond, PhD, RN, CCRN-K
Senior Nurse Scientist, Ascension Health System
Assessment/management of pain in children and interventions/risk assessments for patient safety events in acute care settings
Valerie Lapp, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CPN
Nurse Scientist, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Children's voice in a hospital setting, pediatric patient advocacy, and missed and delayed care
Rebecca Lash, PHD, RN, CEN, CNL, NPD-BC
Nurse Professional Development Specialist, Research/EBP/QI, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Emergency department utilization by patients with cancer
Elyse Laures, PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist, University of Iowa Health Care
Pediatric pain assessment in the pediatric intensive care unit. Implementation science with evidence-based practice
Stacee Lerret, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN
Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin
Transitions of care and family self management for children with complex chronic conditions, mhealth and telehealth
Lauri Linder, PhD, APRN, CPON, FAAN, FAPHON
Professor, University of Utah
Symptom management and supportive care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer
Figaro L. Loresto Jr., PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Implementing novel statistical methods into various nursing problems
Lyndsay MacKay, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, Trinity Western University
Creating models of care for children with medical complexity and medically fragile infants, and developing interventions to better support their diverse family needs
Margaret, “Meg,” McCabe, PhD, RN, FAAN
Senior Director, Center for Pediatric Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Understanding the symptom of fatigue in children from a holistic perspective including biomarkers, environmental impact, and self-reported measures
Ann Marie McCarthy, PhD, RN, FNASN, FAAN
Professor Emerita, University of Iowa
Children with chronic conditions, pediatric psychiatry, pediatric procedural pain, cognitive behavioral interventions for pain, medication use in the schools
Catherine McDonald, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Adolescent injury prevention
Jacqueline McGrath, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
Research Professor, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
Developmentally supportive neuroprotective and parent engagement strategies in the NICU
Heidi McNeely, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Healthcare worker/Healthcare Organization Resiliency, Wellness, and burnout. Substance use among healthcare professionals, adolescent drug prevention, and medication assisted treatment in rural jails
Clarisa Medina Poeliniz, PhD, RN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Alivio Community Health Center
The role of maternal obesity on biological lactation outcomes. The effect of breastfeeding as a protective mechanism from cardiovascular disease in women
Katherine Melton, PhD, RN, CPN
Research Fellow, Boston Children’s Hospital
Healthcare transition and independent self-management among adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions
Linda Merritt, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNE, FAWHONN
Associate Professor, Quinnipiac University College of Nursing
NICU fathers and their needs, family-centered care in the NICU
Emily F. Moore, PhD, ARNP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Education and Professional Development Director, Seattle Children’s
Care coordination factors and what impacts survival in rural areas with an emphasis on the Alaska Native congenital cardiac population
Kitty Montgomery, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Symptom burden in pediatric cancer, risk factors, child-caregiver communication and symptom reporting
Annette S. Nasr, PhD, RN, MPA, NE-BC
Nurse Scientist, Stanford Medicine Children’s Hospital
The impacts of living liver donation on adolescents and young adults and their families
Kathy Patterson Kelly, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC
Nurse Scientist, Childrens National Hospital
Family treatment communication in children with cancer and other chronic conditions
Lindsey Patton, PhD, APRN, PCNS-BC
Director, Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice at Children's Health
Implementation science and leadership support on pediatric nursing care practices
Christine Platt, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Utah Health
Health disparities among families raising children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, with an emphasis on children in foster care
Michele Polfuss, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, FAAN
Professor, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Childhood obesity (assessment, measurement, weight-related behaviors of nutrition, activity, sleep and the role of the family) with a focus on children with a development disability
Lisa Pompeii, PhD, RN
Professor & Director, Division of Research in Patient Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Healthcare workers’ health and safety specific to the pediatric setting
Karen Pridham, PhD, RN, FAAN
Helen Denne Schulte Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing
Support of parents in working together (co-parenting) for care of an infant with a medically complex condition
Kimberly Pyke-Grimm, PhD, RN, CNS, CPHON
Nurse Scientist. Stanford Medicine Children’s' Health
Treatment decision making in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, and their families, palliative care and clinical ethics
Amy Ramick, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC
Nursing Research Specialist, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Impacts of animal-assisted intervention; heartbeat music therapy for children with progressive illnesses; moral obligation of pediatric nurses in an active shooter situation
Debra Ridling, PhD, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Chief Nurse, Practice & Research, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Leading Seattle Children’s Center for Pediatric Nursing Research
Monique Ridosh, PhD, RN
Associate Professor. Loyola University Chicago
Examining predictors of self-management behaviors in youth with chronic conditions; promotion of successful transition; parent depressive symptoms; family quality of life in families of youth
Karyn Roberts, PhD, RN
Genomic Program Management Fellow, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Ensuring children with chronic conditions and their families have health equity, improved health, and quality of life
Mindy Rodden PhD, RN, CPNP-AC
Nurse Scientist, RWJ Barnabas Health
Illness/ & injury prevention
Audrey Rosenblatt, PhD, CRNA
CRNA Manager, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago & Assistant Professor, Rush University College of Nursing
Medical decision-making, focusing on parental and provider decision-making for anesthesia and surgery
Patti Runyan, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, EBP-C
Senior Director, Nursing Professional Practice, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Engagement of clinical nurses in EBP in their practice settings
Halley Ruppel, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor. University of Pennsylvania
The integration of technology in the pediatric acute care environment with the goal of optimizing patient safety and clinical outcomes
Lisa Ring, DNP, CPNP, AC/PC
Advanced Practice Provider Education Lead & Assistant Professor of Pediatrics School of Medicine and Health, George Washington University
Quality improvement projects related to improving non-sedated procedural pain management, discharge medication safety
Zara Sajwani-Merchant, PhD, RN, EBP-C
Program Manager Nursing Research and EBP, Children’s Health Dallas
Social support
Kathleen J. Sawin, PhD, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist, Children’s Wisconsin
Enhancing the health and quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions (with an emphasis on Spina Bifida) and their families
Elizabeth Schierholz, PhD, NNP-BC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Hospital of Colorado
The relationship of the nurse work environment and patient (infant/NICU) outcomes & continuity and transitions of care
Lauren Sorce, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, FCCM, FAAN
Nurse Scientist. Lurie Children’s
The impact of the microbiome in critically ill children with acute respiratory failure
Diane Spatz, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, FAWHONN
Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Human milk and lactation science
Sandra Staveski, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, FAAN
Associate Professor, University of California San Francisco
Circadian rhythm disturbance and delirium in pediatric post-cardiac surgery
Kathleen Sweeney, PhD, DNP, CNS, CPNP-PC
Associate Chief Nursing Officer. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Transition from pediatric to adult care for children with chronic illness
Lindsey Marie Tarasenko, PhD, RN
Nurse Scientist. Children’s Hospital Colorado
Relationships between agency of practice on nurse and patient outcomes
Clifton Thornton, PhD, RN CPHON, CPNP
Nurse Scientist & Nurse Practitioner. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Evaluating toxicities and impacts of cancer-directed therapy in children as a means to improve treatment delivery and the experience of cancer-directed treatment for children
Joan Totka, PhD, RN
Clinical Associate Professor. Marquette University/Children’s Wisconsin
Integrated family centered health (physical and mental) of children with chronic illness and their families
Ashlee Vance, PhD, RN, MA
Assistant Scientist. Henry Ford Health System
Neonatal health services, NICU outcomes, Parent Presence and Parenting Self-Efficacy
Judith A. Vessey, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN
Nurse Scientist, Boston Children’s Hospital
Health-related Quality of Life in Children with Complex Chronic Conditions; Measuring Bullying among Youth and Psychological Safety in the Workforce
Vicki von Sadovsky, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Center for Nursing Excellence, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Symptom and gaming applications for pediatrics
Teresa M. Ward, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor, University of Washington
The promotion of sleep health interventions to improve sleep, mental health & symptoms in children and adolescents
Sarah E. Wawrzynski, PhD, CCRN
Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Nemours Children’s Health
The psychosocial issues families encounter when navigating pediatric critical and life-limiting illnesses and work to identify ways to improve support and outcomes
Shirley Wiggins, PhD, RN
Associate Professor. University of Nebraska Medical Center
Pain and symptom management in pediatric populations from acute through chronic forms
Elyssa Wood, PhD, MPH, RN
Nursing Research Scientist, Inova Health System
Disparities in care for children in the emergency room, and impacts of social determinants of health on families and children
Maria Yefimova, PhD, RN
Lead Nurse Scientist. University of California, San Francisco.
Care for frail patients throughout the care continuum
page last updated 05.01.2024