SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

Clara Edwards is an RN who is currently enrolled in the PhD program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Clara earned a BSN from Oklahoma City University and an MSN from Oklahoma Baptist University. Clara has worked with both pediatric and adult populations but has a particular interest in the care of older adults. She is currently working at Integris Baptist ICU where she focuses on critical care needs of adults. Clara is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, a recipient of a pre-doctoral Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Excellence scholarship from the OUHSC Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Clara has presented numerous posters at regional and national conferences during her PhD program and has received several awards for her posters. Clara’s research focus is on the nutritional and psychosocial needs of persons with Parkinson’s disorder. Ms. Edwards is interested in the complex issues surrounding swallowing difficulties associated with Parkinson’s disorder and the nutritional complications that ensue. She is equally focused on the psychosocial issues that occur when eating becomes difficult and the patient and caregivers struggle with such an important part of daily life.