Sarah Abrams, Ph.D., R.N

Associate Professor of Nursing
Associate Dean, Curriculum & Operations

Office: 105 Rowell, 211 Rowell
Phone: (802) 656-3061
Email: Sarah.Abrams@uvm.edu

Dr. Sarah Abrams is Associate Dean for Curriculum and Operations and focuses on undergraduate and graduate curricular issues, curriculum planning and oversight of Honors College and Interprofessional (NH) coursework. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing and was coordinator of the Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) and Interim Coordinator of undergraduate nursing programs. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students in public health and geriatric care. Her current research activities dovetail with service interests in public health nursing, global health, and the improvement of systems to serve the health care needs of underserved populations. She collaborates with other faculty on measuring outcomes of international educational and service collaborations. Dr. Abrams is also a historian of nursing with a focus on the development of public health nursing education.

Education

Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, Nursing
M.S., Yale University, Community Health Nursing Clinical Specialist
B.A., California State University, Sacramento, History/Political Science

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses
• PRNU 110 - The Art and Science of Nursing
• PRNU 241 - Community/Public Health Nursing
• PRNU 127 - Health Promotion
• PRNU 130 - Professional Nursing in the Health Care System
• NURS 100 - Biology of Aging
• PRNU 263 - Professional Nursing and Social Justice
Graduate Courses
• GRNU 357 - Practice Considerations in the Primary Care of Older Adults
• GRNU 301 - Advanced Practice Nursing: Professional Role Development and Socialization
• GRNU 311 - Nutrition for Nurses
• GRNU 312 - Biomedical Science I
• GRNU 322 - Human Structure and Function
• GRNU 314 - Science of Nursing: Adults and Older Adults
• GRNU 316 - Practicum for Science of Nursing: Adults and Older Adults
• GRNU 340 - Advanced Practice Public Health Nursing I

Research

• 2009-"Development and application of cultural competencies from nursing student to professional practice." Ongoing longitudianl study of the development of transcultural confidence and competency during nursing education. Co-principal investigator with Hendrika Maltby, PhD, RN, University of Vermont. (Proposal prepared for grant opportunity, IRB approved, data collection started May 2009.)
• 2006-Navigating the "Swampy Lowlands" of Professional Practice: Development of Reflective Nurse Practitioners in a Graduate Entry Level Program. Proposal submitted to the American Contemplative Learning Society, November 2006, $10,000, not funded.
• 2005-06-Pilot Project to test the "Effectiveness of an Arthitis Foundation Exercise Program on the Function and Quality of Life of Homebound Seniors with Arthritis." Collaborative research with the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, CNHS, and the Vermont Department of Health Arthritis Program. Sponsored by Vermont Department of Health, non-funded.
• 2003-Measuring unmet needs of family caregivers of persons with dementia in Vermont and New Hampshire. Internal research incentive fund ($21,538), Dean's Office, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, UVM. (Pilot project, completed; reported at Sigma Theta Tau and APHA, 2004.)
• 2000-STAGES: A model of care for the mentally ill elder. Program evaluation of contracted intensive community support service in Alameda County, California. (Non-funded, public agency supported project.)
• 1996-Teaching Nursing Home Evaluation Study, The Foundation for Geriatric Education, $8,445, January June. (Results submitted to NHC, October 1996.
• 1995-"Demand for a Primary Care Clinic in a Retirement Community," non sponsored community needs assessment. Results submitted to NHC, October 1996.
• 1994-5 "The Effects of a Self-Paced Study Program about Alzheimer's Disease on Certified Nurse Assistants," funded by the Research Development Committee, ETSU, $4,150. Study terminated early due to attrition of subjects.

Publications

• Abrams, S.E. (2010). Interventions that protect. Public Health Nursing, 27(3), 201-202.
• Abrams, S.E.(2010). Hope, ethics and action for sustainable change. Public Health Nursing, 27(1), 1-2.
• Abrams, S.E. (2009). Education at the margins and beyond borders. Public Health Nursing, 26(6), 487-488.
• Maltby, H. J. & Abrams, S. E. (2009). Seeing with new eyes: The meaning of an immersion experience in Bangladesh. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 6(1), Article 33. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2009). The journal as journalism. Public Health Nursing, 26(4), 295-6.
• Abrams, S. E.(2009). The retirement of a public health nurse leader. Public Health Nursing, 26 (3), 290-292. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E.(2009). Sufficient in all ways but one. Public Health Nursing, 26(2), 111.
• Abrams, S. E. (2009). The public health nursing bag as tool and symbol. Public Health Nursing, 26(1), 106-109. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2008). Future families and nurses of the future as seen in 1948. Public Health Nursing, 25 (6), 576-78. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2008). Disparity and responsibility. Public Health Nursing, 25(5), 387-88.
• Abrams, S. E. (2008). The best of public health nursing, circa 1941. Public Health Nursing, 25 (3). (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2007). Nursing the community, a look back at the 1984 dialogue between Virginia A. Henderson and Sherry L. Shamansky. Public Health Nursing, 24 (4), 382-386.  (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E.(2007). Getting on the bandwagon. Public Health Nursing, 24 (3) 203-204. 
• Abrams, S. E.(2007). For the good of a common discipline. Public Health Nursing, 24 (3), 293-297.
• Abrams, S. E.(2007). Communicable disease and transmissable ills. Public Health Nursing, 24 (1), 1-2.
• Abrams, S. E. (2006). The long view of adolescent health. Public Health Nursing, 23 (6), 485-487.
• Abrams, S. E.(2006). Essentials of practice. Public Health Nursing, 23 (4), 295-296. 
• Abrams, S. E.(2006). The nurse midwives' story, an allegory. Public Health Nursing, 23 (3), 292-294. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2005). The one-tenth mark. Public Health Nursing, 22 (6), 457-458. 
• Abrams, S. E. & Wells, M. E. (2005). Feeding better food habits in mid-20th century America. Public Health Nursing, 22 (6) 529-534. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2005). Immediacy and meaning. Public Health Nursing, 22 (5).
• Abrams, S. E.(2005). Eva M. Reese, excerpts from an oral history. Public Health Nursing, 22 (4), 371-375.  (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2005). The most effective prevention program. Public Health Nursing, 22 (3), 187-188.
• Knollmueller, R. N. & Abrams, S. E. (2005). Beverly C. Flynn, an oral history with a 20th century activist. Public Health Nursing, 22 (2), 180-185. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E. (2005). "The Expectation Gap:" A look at the Sybil Palmer Bellos lecture by Ruth B. Freeman, 1970. Public Health Nursing, 22 (1), 82-86. (Abstract)
• Abrams, S. E.(2005). A year for leaders. Public Health Nursing, 22 (1), 1.

Scholarly Presentations

• "A field guide to publishing without perishing". 137th APHA Annual Meeting, November 9, 2009.
• "A university-department of health collaboration to improve fitness and quality of life among seniors with arthritis." American Public Health Association, 135th Annual Meeting, November 3-7, 2007; oral presentation November 7, 2007.
• "A Comparison of Unmet Need in Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia Across Political Boundaries." American Public Health Association, Public Health Nursing Section, 139th Annual Meeting in Washington DC, November 9, 2004.
• "Measuring Unmet Need in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia in Two New England States." Sigma Theta Tau for International Nursing Research Congress, Dublin, Ireland July 22-24, 2004.
• "Elder Abuse: The Subtle Clues." (Invited presentation at the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses annual congress, May 19, 2003, Orlando, FL.)
• "Geriatric Trauma: An Increasing Concern." (Invited presentation at the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses annual congress, May 21, 2003, Orlando, FL.)
• "STAGES: A model of care for the mentally ill elder." American Society on Aging, March 11, 2001, New Orleans, LA.
• "Learning Style, Knowledge and Behavior Among Nursing Home Aides." S. E. Abrams and K. D. Longanbach. Paper presented at Sigma Theta Tau Annual Research Day, March 21, 1995, Johnson City, TN.
• "Organizing for Quality." Delores G. Fox and Sarah E. Abrams, Patient Care Conference, National HealthCorp L.P., September 15, 1994, Nashville, TN.

Elder Care Workshops Conducted

• "STAGES: A model of care for mentally ill elders." (Presentation/workshop at American Society on Aging and National Coalition on Aging First Annual Joint Conference, March 11, 2001, New Orleans, LA)
• "Aging and Health Issues for the Asian-American Older Adult." (Continuing education class presented to the professional and paraprofessional staff of Asian Community Mental Health Services, March 20, 2000, Oakland, CA)
• "Aging and Health Issues for the Hispanic Older Adult." (Continuing education class presented to professional and paraprofessional staff of La Clinica de la Raza, March 1, 2000, Oakland, CA)
• "Elder Abuse and Neglect: Issues and Controversies." (Workshop given for "Alzheimer's Disease: An Update," sponsored by the Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, East Tennessee State University, April 2, 1996, Johnson City, TN)
• "Preventing Undernutrition and Dehydration in the Elderly." (In service workshop for all nursing personnel, Colonial Hill Health Care Center, June, 1995, Johnson City, TN)
• "Understanding and Documenting Nursing Process." (Series of three in service workshops for licensed nursing staff at Colonial Hill Health Care Center, May and June, 1995, Johnson City,TN)
• "Preventing Elder Abuse." (Workshop given for "Alzheimer's Disease: An Update," sponsored by the Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, East Tennessee State University, April 18, 1995, Johnson City, TN)
• "Caregiver Burden." (East Tennessee Association of Occupational Health Nurses, November 3, 1994, Bristol, TN)
• "Welcome and Opening Remarks." (Alzheimer's Disease Study Day, sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, East Tennessee State University and the Veteran's Administration, Mountain Home, November 3, 1994, Johnson City, TN)
• "Focus Charting." (In Service education for licensed staff of Colonial Hill Health Care Center, October 27, 1994, Johnson City, TN)
• "Accomplishing ADLs Without Catastrophe." (Workshop given for "Alzheimer's Disease: An Update," sponsored by the Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, East Tennessee State University, April 28, 1994, Johnson City, TN)
• "Putting Down the Burden: Caregiver Stress." (Workshop given with Peggy McConnell, M.S., R.N. C. for "Alzheimer's Disease: An Update," sponsored by the Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, East Tennessee State University, April 14, 1994, Johnson City, TN)
• "Behavioral Management of Alzheimer's Disease Patients." (Northeast Tennessee Alzheimer's Association Annual Study Day, co- sponsored by the NE Tennessee Alzheimer's Assn., East Tennessee State University, and the Veteran's Administration, Mountain Home, November 4, 1993, Johnson City, TN)
• "Alzheimer's Disease: Putting Together the Pieces of the Puzzle." (Presentation to the Sullivan County Medical Society, October 14, 1993, Kingsport, TN)
• "Social Isolation and Health Status: Interactions in the Rural Elderly Population." (Presentation at the OVAR outreach workshop on Caring for the Elderly in Rural Settings, April, 1993, Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA)
• "Reducing the Use of Restraints." (Presentation for the Family Council, Colonial Hill Health Care Center, October 27, 1992, Johnson City, TN)
• "The Nursing Home as a Clinical Setting - A Positive Experience." (Conference for Associate Degree Nursing Educators, co sponsored by the Community College Nursing Home Partnership and Stanford Geriatric Education Center, November 15, 1991, Palo Alto)
• "The Art of Effective Teaching in the Nursing Home." (Conference for Associate Degree Nursing Educators, co-sponsored by the Pacific Geriatric Education Center at the University of Southern California and the Community College Nursing Home Project at Ohlone College, April 18, 1991, Los Angeles)

Educational and Service Projects (Grant Applications Submitted/Approved/Obtained)

• 2009-Frymoyer Scholar Program. "A Sustainable Partnership in International Health to Improve Health Professions Education." (Submitted for $50,000 for fall 2009 funding cycle.)
• 2007-Integrating Reflective Practice into the Master's Entry Program in Nursing. Instructional Incentive Grant, Center for Teaching and Learning, $4,919, submitted April 2007, funded July 1, 2007.
• 2003-Master's Entry Program in Nursing for the University of Vermont; submitted to DHHS-HRSA 12/15/03, $1,212,316, achieved priority score of 75, approved for funding but not funded.
• 2002 PIECE: Partners for Integrated Elder Care and Education; joint proposal co-written with Lifelong Medical Care and Alameda County Department of Behavioral Health. Submitted to SAMHSA, application number 1-H79 SM54776-01, achieved priority score of 162, approved for funding but not funded.
• 1995-Eight County Respite Care Program for Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients, submitted to the Area Agency on Aging, First Tennessee Development District, and the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, $16,470. Approved, not funded due to state budget cuts.
• 1995-Teaching Nursing Home Contract with National HealthCorp, L.P., Colonial Hill Health Care Center, continuation, $33,700, grant approved for January June, 1995, remaining six months subject to budget review.
• l994-Teaching Nursing Home Contract with Colonial Hill Health Care Center, funded by National HealthCorp., L.P., $39,330 (continuation).
• 1993-Teaching Nursing Home Contract with Colonial Hill Health Care Center, funded by National HealthCorp., L.P., $32,350.

Honors and Awards

Dean's Award for Faculty, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, UVM, 2007
Outstanding Contribution to Medical Social Work, Alameda County Medical Center, 1999
Tennessee Nurses Association, Region 5, Award for Gerontological Nursing, 1994
Nurse of the Year Service, College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, 1994
History of Medicine Research Grant, University of California San Francisco, $1500, 1991
Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Eta Chapter Research Grant, $1600, 1991
President's Research Fellowship in the Humanities, University of California, San Francisco, 1991
Teresa Christy Award (Nursing History), American Nurses Foundation, Washington, DC $2700, 1991
Regents Fellow, University of California, San Francisco, 1988

Affiliations

• University of Vermont Committee Memberships
• Doctor of Nursing Practice Task Force, Chair, 2009-present.
• Graduate Education Committee, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 2003-2007, (Chair, AY 2005-07). 2009-present
• Baccalaureate Education Committee, ex officio, 2008.
• Curricular Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate, University of Vermont, 2005-2007.
• President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, 2004.
• State and Regional Activities & Memberships
  • Vermont State Nurses Association, 2003- (Secretary, 11/03-10/07)
  • Vermont Department of Health, Arthritis Task Force, Aging Workgroup, 2003-2008.
• Professional Activities & Memberships
• Editor, Public Health Nursing (national/international peer-reviewed journal), 2004- present.
• Historical Features Editor, Public Health Nursing. 1/1998-12/2003.
• American Association for the History of Nursing, 1988-Lavinia Dock Awards Committee, 1994-8 & 2001-4, Chair, 1997-8 & 2003-4.
• American Public Health Association, 1985-Public Health Nursing Section member.
• American Nurses' Association (1987-present) Vermont State Nurses' Association-2002-present, (Secretary of the VSNA-2003-2007).