Assistant professor at Fairfield University's School of Nursing selected as a post-doctoral Scholar in gerontologic nursing

Assistant professor at Fairfield University's School of Nursing selected as a post-doctoral Scholar in gerontologic nursing

Image: Jean W. Lange Jean W. Lange, RN, MN, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Fairfield University, was chosen by The John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing to be a Scholar in its 2002 Geriatric Research Scholars and Fellows Program.

Dr. Lange, who lives in Woodbridge, was selected for having a significant research program in gerontologic nursing and for her strong leadership potential. She is one of 11 nurses from the Northeast region who were selected for the program, now in its fifth year, which fosters new gerontological nursing researchers with the goal of improving the quality of health care for older adults. The Scholars and Fellows attended an intensive week-long seminar, during which they met with nationally recognized experts in geriatric nursing, addressed issues and obstacles in undertaking high-quality research and received individual mentoring and critiquing.

"I am interested in pursing a research career in gerontology because of the critical need," Dr. Lange said. "Not only are numbers of elders mushrooming in the US, but also important aspects in this significant population have been neglected. For example, the needs of elders living in nursing homes have only recently become an area of research interest."

The grant positions Dr. Lange to pursue her study of this population.

"During my week at the Hartford Scholars program, I drafted a proposal looking at cultural differences between long term care residents and caregivers," Dr. Lange said.

Dr. Lange hopes to join with one of the partners created under the Geriatric Education grant sponsored by the John Hartford Foundation to study how these varied perspectives may influence health care.

"I think she's going to be one of the leaders in research and teaching of best practices in the care of older adults," Jeanne M. Novotny, Ph.D., FAAN, dean of Fairfield University's School of Nursing, said of Dr. Lange.

"Our program aims to bring together outstanding new scholars who are conducting significant research in gerontologic nursing and to give them an opportunity to interact with leading experts in the field," said Terry Fulmer, RN, Ph.D., FAAN, co-director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. "This unique opportunity to hone research skills helps these individuals gain the competitive edge they need to attract research funding and publish the results."

The John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, part of the New York University Division of Nursing, seeks to shape the quality of health care that older Americans receive by promoting the highest level of geriatric competency in all nurses who deliver care.

Posted On: 08-10-2002 09:08 AM

Volume: 35 Number: 48