Research and Innovation Initiatives

Enhancing Patient Safety and Provider Well-Being Through Communication and Culture in Healthcare - Pamela J Gampetro PhD APN FNP-BC

Dr. Pam Gampetro has served as primary investigator and co-investigator on qualitative and quantitative studies that examined safety and communication cultures within healthcare settings, and how these cultures impact the mental well-being of providers and patients. Pam’s research found that improving safety and communication cultures rely on effective listening skills between and within specialties and organizational leaders. Pam understands that clinical burnout is linked to obstructive communications, placing patients at risk for harm. Currently, Pam is collaborating with engineers in developing integrative virtual learning models to support immersive experiences that improve the quality and safety of patient care, care milieus, and the interprofessional collaboration through thoughtful communication techniques.

Advancing Precision Nursing: Dr. Fu’s Research on Supportive Care and Nutrition in Cancer

Dr. Fu’s program of research focuses on cancer-related supportive care, with particular attention to nutrition, symptoms and symptom clusters, and quality of life. His work begins with identifying the supportive care needs of cancer patients and their informal caregivers. He then examines the determinants of these concerns, considering both sociodemographic influences and biological mechanisms through metabolomics and genetics. Ultimately, Dr. Fu develops targeted interventions and translates research findings into clinical practice using implementation science approaches, such as guideline adaptation and implementation. He has led and collaborated on multiple funded studies investigating the biological mechanisms of malnutrition in gastric cancer and translating findings into personalized care strategies. His publications and presentations in leading venues reflect his commitment to advancing precision nursing and supportive oncology.

Improving survival and quality of life outcomes in artificial internal organs - Dr. Jessie Casida - Margaret Randolph Research & Innovation Scholar & Professor

The long-term goal of Dr. Casida's research program is to optimize the survival and quality of life outcomes among individuals living with artificial internal organs, focusing on patients with durable implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Dr. Casida pioneered developing and advancing the science underpinning caregiving and self-management for LVAD. In this context, he examined and tested the first mHealth self-management intervention in the LVAD population, where patients, family caregivers, and nurses worked collaboratively to achieve desired outcomes. Dr. Casida and his team are conducting an NIH-supported study to evaluate the influence of cognition and patient activation on LVAD care self-efficacy, adherence, and healthcare utilization. Through his research, Dr. Casida aimed to influence healthcare delivery policy tailored to maintaining health, well-being, and overall quality of life for LVADs, total artificial hearts, and lungs. 

Cardiovascular Disease and Symptom Science - Dr. John Blakeman, Faculty

Dr. Blakeman’s program of research is focused on cardiovascular disease and symptom science, especially the way that the public conceives of and perceives cardiovascular symptoms and the decisions they make based on their symptom experience. His primary goal is to reduce the time it takes for individuals to seek care for heart attack symptoms. Dr. Blakeman has particular interest in acute coronary syndrome (“heart attack”), instrument design and testing, rural populations, and women’s experiences of cardiovascular disease. He has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts in well-respected journals and presented work regionally and nationally. Additionally, he received the 2023 Clinical Article of the Year Award from the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing for a paper on which he was first author describing the development of the Chest Pain Conception Questionnaire, an instrument that measures the public’s conceptions of chest pain related to a heart attack.

Children's Oral Health Research - Dr. Susana Calderón, Faculty

Dr. Calderón is a biobehavioral nurse scientist specializes in children's oral health research—particularly using early behavioral intervention with social media and dietary to reduce the risk for dental caries and obesity. Her research focus is to discover the role of the oral microbiome in the prevention of systematic inflammation.

Investigating Decision-Making and Assessment of Heart Failure - Dr. Marilyn Prasun, Faculty

Dr. Prasun Carle BroMenn Medical Center Endowed Professor has served as primary investigator and co-investigator on several research studies regarding heart failure. Her research focus is heart failure management and optimizing patient outcomes. She recently completing a funded study examining provider's accuracy in assigning New York Heart Association Class (NYHA-FC).

Illinois State University has launched a Partnership for AI Research (PAIR) Project, an initiative made possible through funding from the National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD PAIR seed program. Spearheaded by an interdisciplinary collaboration between Illinois State’s School of Information Technology Assistant Professor Dr. Nariman Ammar, and Mennonite College of Nursing Carle BroMenn Medical Center Endowed Professor Dr. Marilyn Prasun, the project aims to use machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and enhance health outcomes across central Illinois. Learn more here.

Quality of Life, Symptom Management, and Nursing Care for Older Adults - Dr. Michele Shropshire, Faculty

Dr. Michele Shropshire is a nurse researcher with research foci on improving the quality of life, symptom management, and nursing care for older adults. Her research focus and advocacy for essential caregivers to older adults in long term care environments continues to be a priority. In addition, education for undergraduate students when caring for older adults living in long-term care environments remains a research passion.