Research

Genetics may predispose some heavy drinkers to alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), Spanish researchers found. Mariann Piano, PhD, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, wrote an accompanying editorial in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.  "There are no specific histological, immunological, or biomarkers for the diagnosis of ACM. A key factor in ruling in ACM is a long-term history of heavy alcohol consumption in the absence of coronary artery disease," Piano wrote. "A number of pathophysiologic mechanisms have been linked to the development of ACM; however, one of the most important unresolved questions has been related to how certain genetic mutations may influence susceptibility to ACM." Read More

A video created to recruit families for a research study run by Terrah Akard, PhD ‘08, MSN ‘01, RN, FAAN, associate professor in the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), has advanced to the national American Advertising Awards (formerly the ADDYs) competition where it will compete for the… Read More

Two Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) professors have been named to endowed chairs, the highest honor Vanderbilt University awards its faculty. Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, FAAN, FAANP, FCCM, received the Independence Foundation Chair in Nursing Education. Kleinpell, an internationally recognized researcher and educator, serves as VUSN’s… Read More

Dog owners take 2,760 more steps per day on average compared to non-owners, which amounts to an additional 23 minutes of moderate exercise. And there are more reasons why having a pet is beneficial for your mind and your body. Read More

One of the top stories from CNN over the holidays featured Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Professor Mary Jo Gilmer and research on the effectiveness of animal-assisted interactions for children with cancer. The story showcased Swoosh, a therapy dog at… Read More

Julia Phillippi, PhD, MSN’99, CNM, FACNM, has received a K08 Career Development Award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Phillippi, a Vanderbilt University School of Nursing assistant professor and certified nurse-midwife, will use… Read More

When and in what manner do patients with head and neck canceer want to discuss the impact the disease may have on their sexuality? That’s one of the questions Assistant Professor Bethany Rhoten, Ph.D., R.N., will investigate through a Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center-administered pilot program from the American Cancer Society. Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Assistant Professor Deonni P. Stolldorf, Ph.D., has received a career development award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The $138,059 mentored award (K01-HS-025486-01) is renewable for three years. Stolldorf will… Read More

Mariann R. Piano, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, FAHA, a distinguished researcher in cardiovascular disease and expert on the effects of binge drinking and young adults, has been named senior associate dean for research at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN). Piano will lead the School of Nursing’s research program, charged with… Read More

Ruth M. Kleinpell, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, FAANP, FCCM, an internationally recognized nurse researcher, scholar and educator, has joined Vanderbilt University School of Nursing as assistant dean for Clinical Scholarship and professor of Nursing. Kleinpell comes to Vanderbilt from Rush University, where she had been director of the Center for… Read More