Faculty

DEAN
Jeanne Novotny, PhD,
RN, FAAN
Kent State University
Phone: Ext. 2701; jnovotny@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Nursing is a magnificent profession. There is so much satisfaction when you dedicate your life to serving the health needs of people. My experiences caring for people range from giving direct care at the bedside to setting up international nursing education opportunities in other countries. My work is so very fulfilling that I would not change it for anything. In my role as the Dean, I want to make certain that our students have the same wonderful opportunities."

Research interests: Leadership and administration, teaching strategies and learning outcomes, international nursing, distance education, pediatric nursing, critical periods in human growth and development

Full-time Faculty

Suzanne Campbell,
PhD, APRN-C, IBCLC
Associate Professor
University of Rhode Island
Phone: Ext. 2578; scampbell@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Nursing has allowed me to be present with people during some of the most painful and joyful life experiences passing on that legacy, sharing my passion for nursing, and helping students peek into the heart of their patients, young and old, is one of life's greatest joys for me. Within the Jesuit context, where each student and staff member is treated as an individual, teaching at Fairfield University is incredibly fulfilling!"

Research interests: Womens health, breastfeeding, childbearing, natural birth, instrument development, self-efficacy

Pam Dudac, RN, MS, MSN
Assistant Professor
New York Medical College
Phone: Ext. 2706; pjdudac@mail.fairfield.edu

"I always wanted to be a nurse and I often think how lucky I am to have been able to spend my life in my chosen profession. Every day is intellectually challenging, uniquely interesting and emotionally satisfying. I have shared some of the most profound moments in peoples' lives. The act of caring has enabled me to establish the trusting professional relationships that empowered me to help patients establish and accomplish their health care goals. They have been grateful and I know that I have been important. I have also had the opportunity to help students come to the same realizations about nursing as I have. How lucky can one be!"

Research interests: Health and physical assessment, medical surgical nursing, ambulatory/primary care of adults

Associate Dean for Public
Health and Entrepreneurial Iniatives
Philip Greiner, DNSc, RN
Associate Professor
University of Pennsylvania
Phone: Ext. 2718; pgreiner@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Nursing provides so many options to men and women! Nurses are direct providers of care in homes, community settings, and hospitals. They are teachers, administrators, corporate officers, entrepreneurs, researchers, specialists, and health educators. Fairfield University provides an excellent setting to learn about yourself, other people, and nursing as a professional discipline caring for others. As a public health nurse educator and researcher, this School of Nursing is an exciting place to be!"

Research interests: Community health nursing, health promotion, aging

Sheila Grossman,
PhD, FNP, APRN,BC
Professor
University of Connecticut
Phone: Ext. 2705; sgrossman@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"I have been a nurse, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner on several critical care units, on high acuity medical and surgical units, and in primary care health clinics. It has always and continues to be most exciting working with patients and their families in all of these areas because I have felt I made a difference. As a nurse one can really do whatever one is most passionate about - working as a flight nurse to working in a rural clinic on an Indian Reservation. As a nurse it is totally up to you to choose practice, research, education, or management or a combination of these. Come to Fairfield University and we will help you achieve all that you aspire to in nursing."

Research interests: Adult health and critical care, measuring patient outcomes, management of respiratory problems, leadership and mentoring, genetics

Alison E. Kris, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
University of California
Phone: Ext. 2709;
akris@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Working as a nurse in long-term care, I particularly enjoyed the fulfilling opportunity to establish relationships with residents and their families. In addition, caring for older adults presents the challenge of coordinating care with a wide variety of providers in the management of multiple medical problems. The rapidly growing population of older adults is certain to present greater opportunities in geriatric nursing over the coming years. As an educator and researcher, I relish the ability to contribute to helping meet this vital need."

Research interests: Gerontology, quality of care in nursing homes, hospice care, staffing issues and symptom management

Jean Lange, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
University of Connecticut
Phone: Ext. 2713; jlange@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"I never realized when I chose nursing as a profession, how many avenues it would open to me. I began with a desire to help people, and believed that I could never become tired of a profession in which I encountered different people every day. That has certainly proved to be true. My journey has led me as a clinician through varied specialties in neurology, medicine, and critical care, to cardiac rehabilitation and program development as a clinical nurse specialist, and now to an educator and researcher at Fairfield. Around every corner there is a new opportunity. Who knows what new directions tomorrow will bring? That's what I love about nursing!"

Research interests: Management of chronic disease in older adults, Hispanic health

Doris Lippman,
APRN,BC, EdD, FAAN
Professor
Columbia University
Phone: Ext. 2710; lippman@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing has been an inspiration to me and is the reason I became a nurse. She and I share a common experience serving as nurses during time of war, the Crimean War and the Vietnam War. She once wrote that she considered nursing "a fine art, in fact the finest of the Fine Arts." For me being given the opportunity and privilege to practice and teach nursing, one of the finest arts (and sciences) is a truly dream come true."

Research interests: Domestic abuse and violence, nursing history, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, mental health

Eileen O'Shea, DNP, RN
Assistant Professor
Case Western Reserve
Phone: Ext 2703;
eoshea@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Pediatric nursing is my passion, and I have had the privilege to care for children and their families at several of the leading Children Hospitals in our nation. Children with illnesses are courageous and inspiring to me... as are the many devoted parents and families who show their unconditional love, support and encouragement to their child through many difficult times.

As a professor at Fairfield, I now have the great honor to share this passion through education, research, and mentorship. It is personally rewarding to hear a student state, "I have found my niche... I want to care for children." When this is the case, I know that what ever lies ahead for this student, they too will receive the reciprocating benefit from having touched the lives of children and families in need."

Research interests: pediatric nursing, children with chronic illness, pediatric spiritual care

Adult Program Director
Carole Pomarico, RN, MSN, MA
Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Phone: Ext. 2711; capomarico@mail.fairfield.edu

"Meeting challenges, liking people, embracing change, nurturing individuals, facilitating creativity, encouraging humor, fostering growth and critical thinking, interacting with students, colleagues, and patients... I am a professional nurse and I wouldn't change it for the world."

Research interests: Patient education, pediatrics, media technology, educational service collaboration

Joyce M. Shea, DNSc, APRN, BC
Assistant Professor
Yale University
Phone: Ext. 2575; jshea@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Since graduating from Fairfield University School of Nursing, I have experienced firsthand the multitude of ways that nurses can impact the healthcare of individuals. Particularly when our clients are the most vulnerable and least understood, we have the responsibility - indeed the obligation - to call upon all of our skills and to enact our role as client advocate. No discipline is better than nursing at recognizing and responding to the full range of client needs, and no school is better than Fairfield University School of Nursing at guiding and inspiring students to reach their full potential in meeting those needs. It is my privilege to serve on faculty here."

Research interests: Severe and Prolonged Mental Illness, Schizophrenia, Changes in Self-Identity, Quality of Life, Recovery from Severe Mental Illness, and Qualitative Research Methods

Kathleen Wheeler, PhD, APRN
Professor
New York University
Phone: Ext. 2708; kwheeler@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications

"Nurses have the privilege of being present to assist others in very important times in their lives, in illness, in birth, and in death. A prerequisite for being present is the ability to be open to relationships with others and bringing together knowledge and caring to create a healing environment. I believe a new healing consciousness is emerging in healthcare and nurses are at the forefront of this paradigm change. As an advanced practice psychiatric nurse and faculty here at the School of Nursing, I am pleased to teach students, and to share the challenges and opportunities for nursing as we shape the exciting changes for the future paradigm of healthcare."

Research interests: Holistic health, modalities, outcomes measurement, advanced practice psychiatric nursing, mental health nursing and home care

"What makes nursing so exciting is the diversity of career choices open to practitioners in the field. Nursing encompasses the entire spectrum of health care, providing unique career paths for practitioners depending upon their individual interests. My own personal career path began in bedside nursing, moved into critical care, expanded into advanced practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and now has moved into the realm of education as Program Director, mentor, and faculty for the Fairfield University & Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program. It's so exciting to be able to give back to the profession that has given me so much. I take great pride in participating in the education of the nursing professionals of tomorrow."

Research interests: Pediatric Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting, acute pain management, program assessment and evaluation, quality assurance and risk management

Carol Fackler, MS, RN
Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Massachusetts Boston
Phone: Ext 2733;
cfackler@mail.fairfield.edu

"Nursing is important to me because I believe nurses are the leaders in today's complex healthcare system. Nurses assist the population in understanding health information related to prevention, and help patients manage their chronic illnesses at home. Nurses also help patients safely negotiate their way through acute hospital stays. Wherever health is an issue in people's lives, nurses can be found. The ability of nurses to contribute to the population's health in many different settings makes our profession ideal to be in a coordinating position that will enhance both the quality of care provided to patients, as well as their safety."

Research interests: The meaning of power to hospital nurses, political involvement, nursing shortage

Sally Gerard, MSN, CDE, RN
Visiting Assistant Professor
College of New Rochelle
Phone: Ext 2735;
sgerard@mail.fairfield.edu

"Nursing is important to me because of the direct impact nurses have with people in all phases of health care. From health promotion through acute illness and the dying process, nurses are instrumental in care. It is exciting as a faculty member to prepare bright new nurses to go out into a society and compassionately care for those in need."

Research interests: diabetes specifically glycemic control in the critically ill; nurses knowledge of diabetes care

Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center Director
Diana Mager, MSN, CRN
Western Connecticut State University
Phone: Ext. 2727; dmager@mail.fairfield.edu

Publications   

"I always knew that I either wanted to be a nurse, or a teacher. Now I have the great privilege of being both! As an alumna of the School of Nursing (Class of '88), I am thrilled to be back at Fairfield, filling the role of the Learning Resource Center Director. I get so much enjoyment working with the students, and I hope that some small story or hint that I give them helps on the long road of their professional journey."

Research interests: Home Health Care, nursing technologies

Assistant Dean Undergraduate Program Director
Theresa Quell, PhD, RN
University of Connecticut
Phone: Ext. 4150; tquell@mail.fairfield.edu

"As an alumni of Fairfield University School of Nursing, I have always found nursing to be a very challenging and rewarding career. Nurses are the largest group of health care providers in this country, and as a group, they are in a position to provide leadership in many areas. Fairfield's nursing program provides students with the opportunities and skills they need to become influential patient advocates and powerful decision makers to improve the delivery of health care services."

Research interests: Leadership and administration, public policy, nursing image and international nursing