SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Bruce Kafer

Case Western Reserve University PhD
Biography

Bruce Kafer is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a registered nurse as well as a doctoral student pursuing a PhD in Nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, OH. Mr. Kafer is a graduate of Cleveland State University where he attained a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Population Health Nursing. He also possesses a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Community Mental Health Technology. Mr. Kafer has been on staff at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, for the past fifteen years. Prior to joining the government he worked in the private sector and for non-profit agencies in substance abuse and mental health programs. Nationally, Mr. Kafer has served on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Native American Advisory Council and has also worked with the Native American workgroup of the Under Secretary for Health Diversity Advisory Board. Mr. Kafer is a lead faculty for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Native American “Gathering of Healers” programs. This innovative experiential training program is based on the Native American paradigm of spirit, mind, and body, and is a key learning and cultural immersion opportunity for VA staff. Mr. Kafer remains a stalwart advocate for indigenous people and is a principal advocate for military veterans and their families. He has research and practice interests in Native American Health as well as Organizational Health and Development.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veteran Healthcare – Nursing / Mental Health / Organizational Health
Dissertation: How do predisposing characteristics, enabling characteristics, and need and illness directly and indirectly effect the use of VA Substance Abuse and Mental Health services among Native American veterans?

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Ridgeville OH United States

Sara Kaleya

New York University DNP
Biography

Prior to nursing school, Sara received her Bachelor of Science degree from 

Cornell University in Policy Analysis and Management in 2009. She worked as a 

clinical research coordinator at the Mount Sinai Medical Center on multiple oncology 

and public health grants and was awarded the 1st annual Distinguished Professor 

Program in Cancer Research Best Poster Award for her poster on attrition rates in 

cancer research. Her passion for healthcare and helping people, led her to return to 

school as a second degree, accelerated nursing student at NYU Rory Meyers College 

of Nursing, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in January 2013. She was also 

working part time as a research assistant at NYU College of Medicine/NYU Langone 

Medical Center during her accelerated program, and received multiple scholarships and 

awards, including: the Rudin scholarship from NYU, the Rita and Alex Hillman 

Seamless Scholarship through NYU, finalist for the NYU Auxiliary Scholarship, Dean’s 

list for three semesters, University Honors Scholar, and induction in the Sigma Theta 

Tau International Honor Society. Upon licensure as a nurse, she became a staff nurse 

at New York Presbyterian-Columbia on a medical step-down unit where she worked 

with many pre-op lung transplant patients. Her love of taking care of critically ill patients 

led her to transfer to the Medical Intensive Care Unit at NYU Langone Medical Center, 

where her understanding of the interplay of acute and chronic illness empowered her to 

provide holistic nursing care. She returned to school as a Post BS-DNP Acute Care 

Nurse Practitioner student in the fall of 2015. She is currently certified by the American 

Association of Critical-Care Nurses for Critical Care (CCRN) and Progressive Care 

nursing (PCCN). In her free time, she also is a reader/grader for an undergraduate class 

at NYU Rory Meyers and volunteers at the American Museum of Natural History as a 

living exhibit explainer. 

In alignment with the Jonas Scholarship priority area of chronic health care, Sara 

will focus her DNP Scholarly Project on patients with advanced chronic obstructive lung 

diseases with the goal of impacting the health, quality of life and access to care for this 

population of patients. Her specific interest lies in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who, 

due to recent advances that have drastically improved their life expectancy, now need 

continuity of care as they age out of specialized pediatric healthcare teams into nonspecialized 

adult care settings. She seeks to address the lack of healthcare infrastructure for the adult CF cystic fibrosis patient with an emphasis on carecoordination, self-management, and peer support to minimize disability and normalize life experiences for this growing population of underserved individuals. Her background in public healthcare policy and clinical skill set as a critical care nurse will enable an innovative approach to meeting the unique needs of CF patients. Parameters 

Peter Kallio

Marquette University DNP
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: Nurse anesthetist, Diabetes

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United States

Ayse Kaltsas, MBA, RN

Florida Atlantic University PhD
Biography

I am a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience in various settings including medical-surgical, neonatal intensive care, public health, project management, finance and home-health care. Currently, I am a second year full-time BSN to PhD track nursing student and a teaching assistant (TA) in the College of Nursing. My research focus lies in the neurodegenerative diseases area. Most specifically, I am interested in exploring the impact of epigenetic risk and protective factors on progressive neurodegeneration to guide prevention and intervention strategies for adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). From the essential scientific knowledge to the clinical practice, I believe that there is a big space for further investigation and transferring findings to meaningful intervention procedures in my focus area to achieve positive patient outcomes. As the scientific knowledge of Epigenetics is still emerging, I would like to investigate the effects of environmental and behavioral factors on gene expression in my target population. My goal is to find out more about the pathways of progression from MCI to Dementia because it is crucial to design effective intervention strategies to stop and prevent further neurodegeneration in older adults with MCI in our aging population.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Other
Dissertation: The impact of protective epigenetic factors on progressive neurodegeneration among older adults with mild cognitive impairement

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Lake Worth FL United States

Andrew Kaminsky, MSN, RN

Photo of Andrew Kaminsky MSN, RN
Columbia University DNP
Biography

I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health DNP student at Columbia University School of Nursing. I completed my MSN at Columbia in June of 2017 and continued into the Psychiatric DNP program in Fall of 2017. Prior to becoming a nurse, I served in the US Coast Guard in Boston, MA and Portland, OR. After leaving the military, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Queens College. While I work towards my doctoral degree, I am pursuing research and clinical interests concerning the factors related to the emergence of Secondary Traumatic Stress disorder (STS) when a member of the immediate family returns home from active duty with PTSD. This topic is personally relevant, because I saw first-hand the emanating impact of psychological trauma sustained during military service, and how it can affect a family. Post-graduation, I’d like to pursue a career in psychiatric treatment of veterans. I am honored to be a Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholar, and I hope to use this opportunity to connect with others in the field and to support the Jonas mission of scholarship, leadership and innovation.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholar – Psych-Mental Health
Dissertation: Socio-demographic factors affecting the emergence of secondary traumatic stress in families of soldiers with PTSD

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New York NY United States

Jan Kaminsky

Johns Hopkins PhD
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: Maternal and Child health

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United States

Kendra Kamp, BSN, RN

Michigan State University PhD
Biography

Kendra Kamp, BSN, RN, is a PhD student at the College of Nursing at Michigan State University (MSU). She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. After a hands-on research experience providing educational home visits to women of childbearing age, Kendra saw how research had the potential to transform lives and impact policy. While at Michigan State University, Kendra has had the privilege as working as a graduate assistant for Trifecta, a collaboration between the colleges of Nursing, Communication Arts and Sciences, and Engineering. This assistantship has allowed Kendra the opportunity to work on a variety of research projects and gain valuable research experience. Kendra is a member of American Gastroenterology Association, holds leadership positions in the MSU doctoral nurses association, and is an executive board member of the emerging scholars network of the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Kendra’s passion is to improve the lives of individuals with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The first step along this journey is her dissertation which will examine the factors which influence informed decisions regarding diet modification. After completing her PhD, Kendra plans to expand her program of research to develop interventions aimed at improving self-management of individuals living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Women and Families
Dissertation: Factors influencing an informed decision regarding diet modification among young adults with inflammatory bowel disease

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Holt MI United States

JungHee Kang, MPH, BSN, RN

Photo of JungHee Kang MPH, BSN, RN
University of Kentucky PhD
Biography

JungHee Kang is a doctoratal student in the BSN-to-PhD program at University of Kentucky College of Nursing. Prior to her current studies, she obtained a master’s degree in public health focused on biostatistics at the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in nursing science at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Her research is focused on interactions among inflammatory mediators, nutrition and cardiovascular disease. She has a particular interest in developing nutrition-related and life-style interventions in patients with CVD (e.g. heart failure) to improve health outcomes, such as frequency of re-hospitalization, the duration of hospitalization, improving the ability of self-management and survival, and enhancing quality of life. She was involved in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-funded project designed to test the efficacy of a heart health intervention delivered to rural Appalachians. She is currently involved in two National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)-funded projects: 1) to reduce heart disease risk factors for caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses in rural Kentucky and 2) to improve adherence to the low sodium diet and to decrease symptoms in heart failure patients and their family caregivers.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Other
Dissertation: The effect of diet in the relationship between chronic stress and levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome:
Individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome are at a two-fold risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, the positive association between chronic stress and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been reported. Chronic stress is associated with the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to an increased incidence of CVD and mortality. Chronic stress can trigger risky health behaviors, such as poor diet. Inflammation and oxidative stress responsible for the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and CVD can be modulated by diet. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of diet in the relationship between chronic stress and the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome. The results of this study will provide insight into how diet quality is involved in chronic-stress-induced oxidative stress and inflammation and outline potential diet interventions for those who have high levels of chronic stress with metabolic syndrome.

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Lexington KY United States

Yu Jin Kang, MPH, BSN, RN

Photo of Yu Jin Kang MPH, BSN, RN
University of Minnesota PhD
Biography

Yu Jin Kang is a third-year Ph.D. student specializing in Informatics, Gerontology, and Nursing management in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities. As a registered nurse, she also has provided a nursing care to residents in the long-term care (LTC) facilities. She has an interest in the nursing experience and the resident care in LTC setting, with a specific intent to pursue the understanding of nursing interventions for the resident with multiple chronic conditions. Specifically, with time and motion study and interview data, she plans to build a research platform for effective chronic condition interventions. The pilot study for her dissertation project was awarded the Myrtle Kitchell-Aydelotte Leadership Grant from the UMN School of Nursing. Prior to her current studies, she received a master’s degree in health policy and management from the Emory University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Seoul National University. After her Ph.D. studies, Yu Jin will seek for academic faculty positions to become an academic nurse educator, who navigates and facilitates student learning experiences as well as translates nursing knowledge into the clinical practices and related policies.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Scholar – Chronic Health
Dissertation: Understanding nursing interventions for long-term care residents with chronic conditions: Time and motion study There is increasing demand for long-term care (LTC) services for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Nurses in LTC settings are ideally positioned to address multiple chronic conditions through comprehensive, holistic nursing interventions. However, many LTC nurses face critical shortages of time and resources that may limit intervention effectiveness. Therefore, it is critical to understand the specific nursing interventions received by LTC residents with multiple chronic conditions in real life LTC settings. To achieve this, my dissertation study will quantitatively investigate LTC nurse interventions using a Time and motion study (TMS) conducted with a web-based time recording tool, TimeCaT™, and a standardized description of LTC nursing interventions, the Omaha System. I will also qualitatively explore their attitudes, practices, and views. Using the TimeCaT and interview data obtained from the study, I will build a research platform for effective chronic condition interventions that will enable LTC nurses and the interprofessional health care team to understand challenges that exist in LTC, proactively redesign staff education and training, develop novel/tailored interventions for chronic health conditions, and ultimately improve the quality of life and self-management skills outcomes for residents with multiple chronic conditions.

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Eden Prairie MN United States

Lalon Kasuske, CEN, PMP

Uniformed Services University PhD
Biography

LCDR Lalon Kasuske was commissioned a Navy Nurse Corps officer in 1999 after earning his BSN from Lewis-Clark State College, graduating with Presidential Honors. He completed an MBA from the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University in 2007, graduating as a Beta Gamma Sigma Scholar. Previous duty stations include Naval Medical Center San Diego & Naval Hospital Bremerton where he served as a staff emergency nurse. He was stationed at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, from 2007-2010 where he served as Division Officer, Department of Emergency Medicine; Division Officer, Same Day Surgery & Post-operative Care Unit; and Head, Healthcare Business. While stationed at the Navy Medicine Information Systems Support Activity (NAVMISSA) in San Antonio, Texas, LCDR Kasuske completed simultaneous deployment of the Navy’s inpatient electronic health record and electronic anesthesia record from 2010 – 2012. He completed his tour at NAVMISSA as the Director of Plans & Quality, overseeing the Command Strategic Plan and Business Plan. LCDR Kasuske is currently stationed at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, pursuing a PhD in nursing science with a research focus on the use of health technology to determine cognitive function following traumatic brain injury. LCDR Kasuske is married to Angie (Uhlenkott) Kasuske, and has four children: Isaac (14), Andrew (11), Rebecca (8), and Veronica (1). He is an avid fly fisherman & woodworker; he has trained as a professional chef and is an Ironman triathlete.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veteran Healthcare – Health Technology / Traumatic Brain Injury
Dissertation: Health Technology / Traumatic Brain Injury

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Poolesville MD United States

Alexander Kats

Uniformed Services University DNP
Biography

I am an Air Force Captain currently attending Uniformed Services University at Bethesda, MD. I have experience in step-down/progressive care nursing, med-surge, and primary care nursing, and am med-surge certified. I am currently enrolled in the DNP program for Family Nurse Practitioner, and hope to graduate in 2016.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veteran Healthcare – Family Nurse Practitioner
Dissertation: Sexual Assualt in the Military

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Rockville MD United States

Lacee Kaufmann, RN, MSN, CNE

University of Missouri-St. Louis PhD
Biography

My name is Lacee Kaufmann and I am an assistant professor at St. Louis Community College Meramec. Over the past 12 years I have worked my way up from a LPN, to RN, BSN, MSN and I am currently seeking a PhD at the University of Missouri St. Louis. While attending UMSL I received the Advanced Nurse Educator Scholarship and I am currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau. In 2015 I became a Certified Nurse Educator. While working at STLCC I have held the positions of Program Coordinator and Course Coordinator, and have served on numerous committees for the college and nursing program. My area of research is qualitative in nature and focuses on how patients with body art are perceived to be treated within the healthcare system. Many veterans seeking healthcare treatment have body art and I am using my research to determine how this population may be shown prejudice or negative bias when dealing with our healthcare providers.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veterans Healthcare – Health Systems/Patient Safety/Quality
Dissertation: Patients With Body Art Perceptions of Treatment In The Healthcare System

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St. Louis MO United States

Nancy Kavanagh Manister

CUNY PhD
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: Obesity, eating disorders

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United States

Scott Kaye, RN-BC, CEN, CPEN, CCRN, NE-BC,

CUNY Graduate Center PhD
Biography

Mr. Kaye received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Nursing from the Helsinki College of Healthcare and Social Services in Finland. He received his Master’s degree in Nursing Administration from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Kaye is currently the Manager of Nursing Education and Special Projects at New York Hospital Queens. In this role his focus is on the planning, creation, and implementation of online learning programs and clinical simulation, plus clinical decision support. He has held numerous clinical, educational, and leadership positions in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing. He is currently certified in Emergency Nursing, Pediatric Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Informatics, and as a Nurse Executive (Basic Level). Mr. Kaye is pursuing a PhD in Nursing to increase his knowledge and skill base. His ultimate career goal is a leadership role where he can combine his knowledge of education, informatics, and leadership to mentor and lead the next generation of nurses.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Leadership Styles/Emergency Nursing
Dissertation: Transformational and Servant Leadership Styles

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Bayside NY United States

Kathleen Keane

Boston College PhD
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: Geriatrics, Patient Education

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United States

Leslie Kearfott, FNP

Oakland University DNP
Biography

Scholarly Expertise / Activity Interests:Pediatrics, End of Life Care in Pediatrics, Pediatric Congenital Heart Defects, Family Centered Care Ms. Kearfott has been in the medical field for more than 25 years, with a lifelong passion for pediatrics. Initially, after graduation, she went right into the Pediatric ICU at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Her passion for pediatrics and cardiac conditions helped her to become one of the most recognized new staff in her unit. She realized her unique ability to pass her knowledge and skills successfully on to others, at which time she took that pediatric passion and expertise to the next level and became a valuable faculty member at the Community College level. Ms. Kearfott went on to obtain her advance practice degree specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Currently she is excited to start her newest journey teaching for University of Michigan as a Pediatric Clinical Instructor and has become partnered with a very successful pediatric practice to further advance her practice as a nurse practitioner. Teaching Ms. Kearfott started her teaching career in 2009 at the community college level. She has also been a preceptor to new employees at various institutions. Areas of nursing that she has been a clinical instructor of include: Pediatrics, Advanced Med/Surg, and Management. She has presented numerous presentations on Pediatric End of Life Care and Advance Directives for the Pediatric Population to a variety of colleagues throughout the healthcare arena and continues to promote the need for continued education of these matters.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Pediatrics
Dissertation: CLABSI Bundles in Pediatric Population

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Commerce Township MI United States

Alisha Keating, CEN

University of San Diego DNP
Biography

Alisha Keating is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the University of San Diego (USD) as a Family and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is interested in women’s health, vaccination education/compliance, infectious disease, and global health and humanitarian service. For her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, she attended Azusa Pacific University as a Board of Trustees Scholar, awarded with full-tuition scholarship for academic and leadership merit. Since graduating in 2010, Alisha has worked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the Cardiac Observation Unit and the Emergency Department, at Sharp Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department, and is currently working at a Sharp Rees-Stealy Urgent Care in San Diego. She has been on several leadership committees including the Emergency Nursing Practice Council at Sharp Memorial. She also maintains her membership in a disaster relief organization, Hope Force, and has volunteered through medical missions to Jos, Nigeria. Alisha loves caring for people through nursing and is excited for the opportunity to expand her education and her role as a practitioner through the DNP program at USD. She is expected to graduate in May of 2016.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Veteran Healthcare – Family Nurse Practitioner/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Dissertation: Women’s Health & Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates

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Ramona CA United States

Christine Keenan

Johns Hopkins PhD
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: Simulation

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United States

Stephanie Kehler, BSN, RN

University of Kentucky PhD
Biography

Stephanie Kehler, BSN, RN Stephanie Kehler received her BSN from University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY as a second degree. Her first BS was from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI in mechanical engineering. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Stephanie began her research career as an undergraduate research intern where she studied anxiety and stress during pregnancy. She continues her research in the study of women’s health during pregnancy focusing on bed rest, psychosocial variables, and inflammatory response. Stephanie worked as a RN in the ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital, Lexington, KY for 2.5 years where she provided care to critically ill adult patients. While an ICU nurse, she was the co-chair of the Critical Care Council from 2014 – 2015. She will continue gaining experience in the hospital as a clinical instructor for students on a medical/surgical floor. Stephanie has presented her results at conferences, both locally and nationally. She is published in two journals to date. She has received several awards including the Karen Hall Sexton Scholarship Award in 2015.

Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area: Jonas Nurse Leader – Women’s and Children’s Health
Dissertation: Examining the relationship between psychosocial health and inflammatory response in pregnant women with a hypertensive disorder

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Lexington KY United States

Anna Katherine Keiper

University of Washington PhD
Notes

Research/Clinical Practice Area:
Dissertation: N/A

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United States