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Dr. VanHaitsma is a Clinical Geropsychologist with a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is Professor in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing and Director of the Program for Person Centered Living Systems of Care (PPCLSC) located in the The Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE). She also serves as Adjunct Research Scientist at the Polisher Research Institute, Abramson Senior Care. Dr. VanHaitsma provides mentorship to doctoral and post-doctoral level students. From a research perspective, she has been the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on more than 35 grants as well as consultant on additional grants awarded from federal, state and foundation sources. Over her career, she has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, many of which are co-published with former students. Dr. VanHaitsma’s areas of research include: development and testing of various mental health education and intervention approaches; innovative methodological and measurement development; and testing intervention and implementation strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based, person-centered preference-informed care practices targeting older adults with multiple chronic care conditions. For a summary of work specific to preference based living activities, see www.preferencebasedliving.com.
Education: Columbia University, Ed.D., Nursing Education; Ed.M., Nursing Education; M.S., Adult Nurse Practitioner; B.S., Nursing; The Pennsylvania State University, National Research Service Award Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Research Interests: Palliative and end-of-life care, family caregivers, heart failure, age-friendly health care, qualitative research
Awards/Honors:
Professional Interests
Age-Friendly Care/Community
Caregiver Skills Training
Dementia-Friendly Care/Community
Geriatric Workforce Enhancement
Interdisciplinary Person-Centered Care
Leadership & Nursing Management
Practice & Regulatory Standards
Strategic Planning & Implementation
Education
Masters in Educational Leadership, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY
Honors and Awards
Sigma Theta Tau International, Kappa Tau Chapter
Vermont Outstanding Teacher, A.C.S.U.