Palliative care expert to speak Apr. 16-17 - The University of Iowa College of Nursing

Palliative care expert to speak Apr. 16-17

Kelting Visiting Scholar Mary Ersek, PhD, RN, research associate professor, Pain Research Department, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, will present a series of talks April 16 and 17, sponsored by The University of Iowa College of Nursing.

Dr. Mary Ersek brings to her research more than 17 years work as a hospice and palliative care nurse. Dr. Ersek's areas of research interest and expertise are pain and end-of-life care, with a focus on older adults. Currently, she has funded projects to enhance the palliative care knowledge, skills, and confidence of nursing home staff and nursing assistants working in all clinical settings.

Other funded studies include two randomized controlled trials, one assessing the efficacy of a pain self-management group for older adults with persistent pain and the other evaluating the effectiveness of a pain management algorithm designed for nursing homes. Another research project focuses on the cognitive effects of opioids in older adults.

FULL SCHEDULE

APRIL 16

“Pain Assessment at the End of Life”
Presentation: UIHC Palliative Care Group
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. UIHC
Room 5970 JJP
Individual meeting time with UIHC Palliative Care Team to follow

“Favorite Fortunes for a Favorable Career”
12:30 – 1:30 pm, Room 133 Nursing Building
Research Colloquium Presentation

Public Address: “Challenges to Quality End of Life Care for Persons with Dementia”
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Richey Ballroom, IMU
Reception to Follow – Richey Ballroom, IMU

APRIL 17

"Translating Research: Challenges and Opportunities"
Presentation to College of Nursing Faculty, Staff, and Students
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Room 20 Nursing Building

March 26, 2008