UTHealth Houston has established the interdisciplinary Cizik Nursing Research Institute to advance nursing science. This move builds on the growing portfolio of studies at Cizik School of Nursing, funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The institute's vision dates back to 2017 when Jane and Robert Cizik donated $25 million to the school, which was renamed in their honor. Their endowment also supports PhD student scholarships, faculty chairs, and an annual distinguished lecture series.
“The Cizik family’s vision and commitment to nursing education and research will benefit not only our school but our patients and communities for decades to come,” said Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, RN, dean of Cizik School of Nursing. “This next phase of their endowment will propel continued growth in the number, size, and impact of meaningful nursing science studies at Cizik School of Nursing.”
Carolyn E. Pickering, PhD, RN, who joined the school in August 2023 as a professor of research, will lead the institute as its executive director. She brings a well-established program in dementia family caregiving with over $13 million in funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Recently, she secured another $5.25 million NIA award for establishing the Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention Research.
“Nursing is the backbone of the public’s health. It is the largest global health care profession and has been the most trusted profession in the U.S. for over 20 years,” Pickering stated. “Nursing science’s unique perspective on health has a holistic focus, situating health within the context of how and where people live.”
The institute aims to develop partnerships with other schools and outside organizations to promote research across various fields including education, patient care, and public service. It will involve collaboration with faculties from McGovern Medical School, D. Bradley McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, and UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences.
“The designation as an institute provides more formalized infrastructure and support from the university in developing nursing science,” said Pickering. “It signifies that nursing science is a priority for the university.”
The administrative core led by Pickering will include four cores supporting nursing science efforts aimed at increasing funded research and building partnerships while attracting faculty members as well as PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.
“Regardless of their focus," added Pickering "faculty will find more opportunities to collaborate...and have more innovative professional development around current trends."
Serving on its internal advisory committee are Sandra Hanneman; Ron Acierno; Xiaoqian Jiang; Bijal Balasubramanian; Kimberly Alleman among others. External advisors include Hudson Santos; Allison Vorderstrasse; Maria Yefimova.
Membership details for CNRI will soon be available on their forthcoming website uth.edu/cizik-nursing-research-institute.
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