Doctoral Dissertations
Fall 2018
Manika Petcharat
Title: The Effects of a Brief Culturally Tailored Thai Mindfulness Intervention of Stress, Anxiety, and Mindfulness in Thai Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities
Chair: Dr. Patricia Liehr
Committee Members:  Dr. Lenny Chiang-Hanisko, Dr. David Newman, and Dr. Sharon M. Theroux
Maria De Los Santos
Title: Development, Psychometric Testing, and Pilot Testing of the Personal and Social Responsibility Scale (PSR) for Health Professions Students
Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members:  Dr. David Newman and Dr. Valerie Bryan
Summer 2018
Jane Wilson
Title: Testing an Integrated Health Promotion Model Using Social Media for Breastfeeding Women: Structural Equation Modeling
Chair: Dr. Linda Weglicki
Committee Members:  Dr. Joy Longo, Dr. Dawn Hawthorne, Dr. Michael DeDonno, and Dr. Jane Grassley
Spring 2018

Sandra Gall-Ojurongbe
Title: An Examination of the Demographic, Social and Environmental Predictors of Risk for Schizophrenia in Afro-Caribbean Immigrants Living in the United States
Chair: Dr. Christine Williams   
Committee Members: Dr. Ruth Tappen and Dr. Mark Harvey
Fall 2017

Diane Gullett
Title: The Lived Experience of Suffering through the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti
Chair: Dr. Charlotte Barry
Committee members: Dr. Shirley Gordon and Dr. Mary Cameron 
Christine Moffa
Title: Exploring the Moderating Effect of a Caring Work Environment on the Relationship between Workplace Mistreatment and Nurses' Ability to Provide Patient Care
Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee members: Dr. Joy Longo and Dr. Steven Caudill  
Mary Ann Leavitt
Title: The effect of a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator on 30-Day Readmissions of Older Adults
Chair: Dr. Debra Hain
Committee members: Dr. Kathryn Keller, Dr. Terry Eggenberger, and Dr. Bernardo Obeso  
Heather Saifman
Title: Millennial Nurse Manager Perspectives on Their Leadership Roles in the Hospital Setting: A Phenomenological Inquiry
Chair: Dr. Rose Sherman
Committee members: Dr. Kathryn Keller, Dr. Terry Eggenberger, and Dr. Alan Whiteman
Olga Abiri
Title: Differences in Nurses’ Perceptions of Safety Culture, Nurse-Physician Collaboration, and Level of Job Satisfaction Related to the Type of Obstetrical Physician Care Delivery Model Utilized
Chair: Dr. Rose Sherman
Committee members: Dr. Joy Longo, Dr. Dee Ray, and Dr. Alan Whiteman
Mary Ann Leavitt
Title: The effect of a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator on 30-Day Readmissions of Older Adults
Chair: Dr. Debra Hain
Committee members: Dr. Kathryn Keller, Dr. Terry Eggenberger, and Dr. Bernardo Obeso
Jacinto “J” Garrido
Title: Ethnicity, Gender and Pain Interference's Influence on Depression among Older Adults with Osteoarthritis
Chair: Dr. Lynne Dunphy
Committee members: Dr. David Newman, Dr. Ruth McCaffrey, and Dr. JuYoung Park
Summer 2017

Beth Pratt
Title: The Lived Experience of Breastfeeding for Women with Perinatal Depression
Chair: Dr. Joy Longo
Committee members: Dr. Shirley Gordon and Dr. Nancy Jones
Spring 2017
Gail Sullivan
Title: Effects of Story-Sharing Intervention on Depression and Well-Being in Older Adults Transitioning to Long-Term Care
Chair: Dr. Deb Hain
Committee members: Dr. Linda Weglicki and Dr. Denise Compton

Jacqueline Staal
Title: The Relationships among Sleep Quality, Frailty and Falls in Older Adults Residing in the Community
Chair: Dr. Marlaine Smith
Committee members: Dr. Christine Williams, Dr. Ruth Tappen, Dr. David Newman, and Dr. Diane Sherman

Zahra Rahemi
Title: Iranian American Older Adults’ Attitudes and Proactive Actions toward Planning Ahead for End-of-Life Care 
Chair: Dr. Lynne Dunphy
Committee Members: Dr. Pat Liehr and Dr. Pierre Alexandre

Susan Driscoll

Fall 2016

Title: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Meta-Analysis of the Accuracy of Visual Inspection for Cervical Cancer Screening: Does Provider Type or Training Matter?
Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members: Dr. Rhonda Goodman, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Joanna Drowos

Valarie Grumme
Title: Use of Social Media Support Groups by Persons in the Transplant Journey Chair: Dr. Shirley Gordon
Committee Members: Dr. Charlotte Barry, Dr. Nancey France & Dr. Patricia Patterson

Rose Cirilo

Summer 2016

Title: Culturally Tailoring a Substance Use Intervention among Southeastern Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Youth Chair: Dr. John Lowe
Committee Members: Dr. Pat Liehr, Dr. Eugenia Millender & Dr. Huigang Liang

Melessa Kelley
Title: Native American Early Adolescents Response to a Cultural-Based Prevention for Obesity Chair: Dr. John Lowe
Committee Members: Dr. Kay Edwards, Dr. Cynthia Archibald & Dr. Huigang Liang

Laurie Curnan

Spring 2016

Title: Avatar Guided Stories of Ease from Adolescents with Cancer Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee Members: Dr. David Newman & Dr. Susan Dyess

Janet Sopcheck
Title: Health Challenges of Family Members in End of Life Situations Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee Members: Dr. Marlaine Smith, Dr. Susan Dyess & Dr. Allan Barsky

Laurie Abbott

Fall 2015

Title: The Effect of a Culturally Relevant Cardiovascular Health Promotion Program on Rural African Americans Chair: Dr. Christine Williams
Committee Members: Dr. Kay Edwards, Dr. Elizabeth Slate & Dr. Sareen Gropper

Christie Bailey
Title: The Influence of Gardens on Resilience in Older Adults Living in a Continuing Care Community Chair: Dr. Charlotte Barry
Committee Members: Dr. Shirley Gordon & Dr. Mary Cameron

Mary Jorda
Title: The Meaning of School Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening and Referral to the Parents/Guardians of First, Third and Sixth Grade Students
Chair: Dr. Charlotte Barry
Committee Members: Dr. Kay Edwards & Dr. Nancy Jones

Linda Payne
Title: The Experience of Nurses Caring for Women with Drug or Alcohol Problems in the General Hospital Chair: Dr. Charlotte Barry
Committee Members: Dr. Shirley Gordon & Dr. Mary Cameron

Robin Powers
Title: Recognizing Functional Decline in Persons with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members: Dr. Christine Williams & Dr. Monica Rosselli

Karen Grimley

Spring 2015

Title: Identifying Descriptions of Quality Nursing Care Shared by Nurse and Patient in the Acute Care Hospital Setting Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members: Dr. Kathryn Keller, Dr. Rose Sherman & Dr. Lee Schmidt

Susan Charlotte Ladd
Title: ZAFÈ NEG SE MISTÈ: A Grounded Theory Study of End-of-Life Decision Making for Haitian American Families in South Florida
Chair: Dr. Marlaine Smith
Committee Members: Dr. Shirley Gordon, Dr. Celucien Joseph & Dr. Maura Farrell Miller

Jacqueline Marshall
Title: Effect of a Spiritually-Guided Intervention on Breast Self-Care Attitudes in Afro-Caribbean Women Chair: Dr. Shirley Gordon
Committee Members: Dr. Cynthia Archibald & Dr. David Newman

Mary Ellen Wright
Title: Sources of Informational Social Support for Mothers of Infants Residing in the Western North Carolina Appalachian Region Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee Members: Dr. John Lowe, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Denise Anthes

Elizabeth Kinchen

Fall 2014

Title: Development and Testing of an Instrument to Measure Holistic Attributes of Nurse Practitioner Care

Chair: Dr. Bernadette Lange
Committee Members: Dr. Ruth McCaffrey & Dr. Paul Wills

Rebecca Koszalinski
Title: Evaluation of Speak for Myself © With Patients who are Voiceless Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members: Dr. Rozzano Locsin, Dr. Ali Danesh & Dr. Susan Folden

Duangporn Piyakong
Title: The Effect of Engagement Interventions on Uncertainty and Coping of Thai Family Members of Patients in Coma Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee Members: Dr. Joy Longo, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Doldao Purananon

Angela Prestia
Title: Chief Nursing Officer Sustainment in the Continued Practice of Nursing Leadership Chair: Dr. Rose Sherman
Committee Members: Dr. Susan Dyess, Dr. Nora Triolo & Dr. Attila Hertelendy

Shelley Greif

Summer 2014

Title: Challenges Faced by Parents Caring for Their Child after Traumatic Brain Injury Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee Members: Dr. Bernadette Lange, Dr. Christine Williams & Dr. Gillian Hotz

Kelly White
Title: Transition Experiences of the Chronically Ill Adolescent Chair: Dr. Kathryn Keller
Committee Members: Dr. Susan Folden, Dr. Laureen Fleck & Dr. John Reiss

Francesca Onyejuruwa

Spring 2014

Title: Impact of an Educational Intervention on Nurses’ Knowledge and Caring Behavior for Late Preterm Infants Chair: Dr. Sharon Dormire
Committee Members: Dr. Ruth McCaffrey, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Mira Sarsekeyeva

Mary Brigid Martin

Fall 2013

Title: Perceived Discrimination of Muslims in Health Care in the United States Chair: Dr. Christine Williams
Committee Members: Dr. Dee Ray, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Robert Rabil

Nohemi Sadule-Rios
Title: Older Hispanics’ Explanatory Model of Depression Chair: Dr. Ruth Tappen
Committee Members: Dr. Christine Williams & Dr. Monica Rosselli

Lisa Kirk Wiese
Title: Development and Testing of a Measure of Alzheimer’s Disease in a Rural Appalachian Community Chair: Dr. Christine Williams
Committee Members: Dr. David Newman, Dr. Ruth Tappen & Dr. Monica Rosselli

Kathryn Arnold

Spring 2013

Title: The Clinical Scholar Model: A Strategy to Bridge the Theory-Practice Gap Chair: Dr. Sharon Dormire
Committee Members: Dr. Marlaine Smith, Dr. David Newman & Dr. Susan Chase

Jeanne Gottlieb
Title: Suffering in the Midst of Technology: The Lived Experience of an Abnormal Prenatal Ultrasound Chair: Dr. Shirley Gordon
Committee Members: Dr. Joy Longo, Dr. Dee Ray & Dr. Janet Williams

Eugenia Millender
Title: Cumulative Trauma among Adult Mayas Living in Southeast Florida Chair: Dr. John Lowe
Committee Members: Dr. David Newman, Dr. Pat Liehr & Dr. J.P. Linatroth

Lawren Mundy
Title: Health Care Experience of Individuals Who Self-Identify as Sex Addicts Chair: Dr. Shirley Gordon
Committee Members: Dr. Charlotte Barry, Dr. Josie Weiss & Dr. Douglas Broadfield

Bridgette Johnson

Fall 2011

Title: The Impact of Satisfaction with Care and Empowerment on Glycemic Control among Older African American Adults with Diabetes
Chair: Dr. Susan Folden
Committee members: Dr. Douglas Sutton, Dr. Rosario Medina-Shepherd & Dr. Errol Davis

Louise Lucas
Title: The Lived Experience of Decision-making for Older Adults who had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Inserted Chair: Dr. Marlaine Smith
Committee members: Dr. Theris Touhy, Dr. Christine Williams & Dr. Michael Kane

Carlo Parker

Summer 2011

Title: Decision-Making Models Utilized by Nurses to Activate Rapid Response Teams Chair: Dr. Kathryn Keller
Committee members: Dr. Susan Folden, Dr. Ellen Baer & Dr. Susan Chase

Lisa Wands
Title: Health of Veterans Home from War Chair: Dr. Ellen Baer

Committee members: Dr. Marlaine Smith & Dr. Charlotte Barry

Terry L. Eggenberger

Spring 2011

Title: Holding the Frontline: The Experience of Being a Charge Nurse in an Acute Care Setting Chair: Dr. Rose Sherman
Committee Members: Dr. Marlaine Smith, Dr. Kathryn Keller & Dr. Nora Triola

Bonnie Pope
Title: Maternal Health Policy: Nursing’s Legacy and the Social Security Act of 1935 Chair: Dr. Ellen Baer
Committee members: Dr. Charlotte Barry & Dr. Marguerite Purnell

Cynthia Blum

Fall 2010

Title: Developing an Undergraduate Preceptor Model of Practice Education: Participatory Action Research Chair: Dr. Debera Thomas
Committee members: Dr. Kathryn Keller, Dr. Susan Chase & Dr. Michele Acker-Hocevar

Judith Czerenda
Title: The Meaning of the Lived World of Older Indian Widows and their Health Experiences Chair: Dr. Dee Ray
Committee members: Dr. Ellis Youngkin & Dr. Mary Cameron

Barbara K. Dahlen
Title: Giving Voice to Historical Trauma through Storytelling: The Impact of Boarding School Experience on American Indians Chair: Dr. John Lowe
Committee members: Dr. Pat Liehr, Dr. Marguerite Purnell & Dr. Staci Morris

Debra Hain
Title: Cognition and Adherence of Older Adults Undergoing Hemodialysis

Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee members: Dr. Ruth Tappen, Dr. Terry Touhy & Dr. Mary Cameron

Carole Anne Martin Kain
Title: Muddling Through: How Young Caregivers Manage Changing Complexities Chair: Dr. Shirley Gordon
Committee members: Dr. Marilyn Parker & Dr. Constance Siskowski

Lange, Bernadette
Title: The Clarity-Parity Community Nursing Practice Framework: A Critical Ethnonursing Study of Women in Recovery from Chemical Dependence and their Return to the Community
Chair: Dr. Dee Ray
Committee members: Dr. Marilyn Parker & Dr. Mary Cameron

Joy Longo
Title: The Relationship of Horizontal Violence, Oppressed Group Behavior, and Job Satisfaction on Intent to Leave a Nursing Position and the Nursing Profession
Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee members: Dr. Debera Thomas & Dr. Tom Wilson

Natalie L. Murphy
Title: Seemingly Healthy: The Lived Experience of Mothers as They Sought Health Care for Their Internationally Adopted Children Chair: Dr. Deborah Raines
Committee members: Dr. Susan Folden, Dr. Josie Weiss & Dr. Edward Pratt

Barbara C. Sorbello
Title: Clinical Nurse Leader Stories: A Phenomenological Study about the Meaning of Leadership at the Bedside Chair: Dr. Anne Boykin
Committee members: Dr. Dee Ray & Dr. Rose Sherman

Todd Swindermann
Title: The Magnetic Appeal of Nurse Informaticians: Caring Attractor for Emergence Chair: Dr. Dee Ray

Committee members: Dr. Deborah Raines & Dr. Alice Davidson

Dorothy J. Dunn

Fall 2009

Title:  What Keeps Nurses in Nursing: A Heideggerian Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Chair: Dr. Ellen Baer
Committee members: Dr. Charlotte Barry & Dr. Mary Cameron

Kim D. Jolly
Title: Immigrant Status, Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behavior among Afro-Caribbean Adolescents Living in the U.S. Chair: Dr. Pat Liehr
Committee members: Dr. John Lowe & Dr. Karen Dodge

Jo Anne Stecher
Title: The Lived Experiences of the Spouses of Transplant Recipients Chair: Dr. Ruth McCaffrey
Committee members: Dr. Rozzano Locsin, Dr. Margaret Gray-Vickrey & Dr. Debera Thomas

Rosa Maria Sternberg
Title: Latinas Experiencing Transnational Motherhood Chair: Dr. Marilyn Parker
Committee members: Dr. Charlotte Barry & Dr. Mary Cameron

Waraporn Kongsuwan

Spring 2009

Title: Thai Nurses’ Lived Experience of Caring for Persons Who Had a Peaceful Death in Intensive Care Units Chair: Dr. Kathryn Keller
Committee members: Dr. Rozzano Locsin, Dr. Theris Touhy & Dr. Savina Schoenhofer

Fall 2008

Susan Dyess
Title: Living in Abundance: The Experience of Living with Chronic Illness for Adults Affiliated with a Community of Faith with Access to a Faith Community Nurse
Chair: Dr. Susan Chase
Committee members: Dr. Theris Touhy & Reverend Andrew Hagen

Rhonda Goodman Lesniak
Title: The Lived Experience of Adolescent Females who Self-Injure by Cutting Chair: Dr. Charlotte Barry
Committee members: Dr. Shirley Gordon & Dr. Mary Cameron

Marcella M. Rutherford

Fall 2007

Title: More than Good, Kind Angels: The Daughters of Charity’s Relationship to Valuation, Mission and Money, 1916 to 1994 Chair: Dr. Ellen Baer
Committee members: Dr. Lynne Dunphy, Dr. Rose Sherman & Dr. Sandra Norman

Patricia Dittman

Summer 2007

Title: Lived Experience of Male Nurses in the Intervention Project for Nurses Chair: Dr. Susan Chase
Committee members: Dr. Rose Sherman & Dr. Thomas Wilson

Laureen Fleck

Spring 2007

Title: The Effect of Nurse-Guided Co-Created Weight Loss Plans for Pre-Menopausal Women Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome Chair: Dr. Marilyn Parker
Committee members: Dr. Susan Folden & Dr. Susan Beidler