Four University of Arizona College of Nursing faculty were honored by the Western Institute of Nursing during their annual conference in April. Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, a professor and the interim PhD program director, received the Regional Geriatric Nursing Research Award: Senior Researcher. Inducted as fellows into the Western Academy of Nurses were Patricia Daly, PhD, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, FAANP, an associate clinical professor; Cheryl Lacasse, PhD, RN, AOCNS, a clinical professor, RN-MSN program coordinator and director of teaching/learning practice and evaluation; and Helena Morrison, PhD, RN, an associate professor.
WIN is one of four regional nursing research organizations in the U.S. whose members include individual researchers, clinicians, educators, students, academic institutions and health care organizations. According to their website, WIN’s mission is to improve the health of the public through visionary leadership in nursing research, practice and education.
WIN established the Western Academy of Nurses in 1989 to recognize and honor nurses who have been actively engaged in WIN and have demonstrated excellence in nursing research, practice and/or education. Membership in WAN is by nomination, and this year three of the four inductees were from the UArizona College of Nursing.
Regional Geriatric Nursing Research Award: Senior Researcher
Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Taylor-Piliae has been a member of WIN for 20 years and a UArizona College of Nursing faculty member for 16 years. “I am honored to be recognized for my research contributions among older adults with a chronic illness. “I am recognized internationally as a cardiovascular nurse scientist and mind-body exercise interventionist, with training in cardiovascular epidemiology and clinical trials. My research is focused on promoting physical activity and improving patient-centered outcomes among older adults with heart disease and stroke through the implementation of innovative non-pharmacologic interventions such as tai chi. As a nurse-scientist, I have developed tai chi exercise interventions to improve physical function, reduce falls and improve psychosocial well-being and quality of life. These interventions have enhanced rehabilitation and recovery from cardiovascular disease among older adults. I conducted the first study in the U.S. testing tai chi among stroke survivors.”
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