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UCSF/John A. Hartford
Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

Predoctoral and postdoctoral opportunities in geriatric nursing with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research.

• Emphasis on interdisciplinary research in gerontology
• Predoctoral and Postdoctoral scholars in geriatric nursing
• Financial support via scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships in teaching and research
• Located at the University of California, San Francisco, with many funded centers and institutes specializing in geriatric/gerontological research

The UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is one of nine centers funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation at Schools of Nursing in the United States. Centers were established in January 2001 at the University of California, San Francisco; Oregon Health Sciences University; University of Arkansas; University of Iowa; and the University of Pennsylvania. Four new centers were added in 2008 at the Arizona State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Minnesota, and the University of Utah. For links to other centers and programs, please visit http://www.geriatricnursing.org/hcgne/hcgne.asp (website).

In addition to funding the nine centers, the John A. Hartford Foundation, under the leadership of Dr. Patricia Archbold and the American Academy of Nursing (link: http://www.geriatricnursing.org), is providing ten predoctoral scholarshipsof $50,000 and ten postdoctoral fellowships of $60,000 per annum for two years.

The John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc. of New York City is a private philanthropy established in 1929. John A. Hartford and his brother, George, both former chief executives of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, left the bulk of their estates to the Foundation upon their deaths in the 1950s. Since 1979, the Foundation has focused its support on improving the health care system to accommodate the nation's aging population.

News/Announcements

Harper Distinguished Lecture by Shirley Chater

The 2007 Mary Starke Harper Distinguished Lecturer for the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity project was Shirley Chater; more details and a video interview are availble for on-line viewing.

• Details and Video Link:  07mshl.htm

Hartford Centers Form Nursing Home Collaborative

UCSF/HCGNE and four peer Hartford Centers, with the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), have joined a multi-state Nursing Home Collaborative to improve the quality of care delivered to residents in the nation's nursing homes.

• More Information:  hc-nhc.htm

HCGNE Newsletters

• Fall 2007 Newsletter:  hcgne-nwltr-07fa.pdf
• Spring 2007 Newsletter:  hcgne-nwltr-07sp.pdf
• Dec. 2005 Newsletter:  hcgne-newsltr0512.pdf
• June 2003 Newsletter:  hcgne-newsltr6-03.pdf

The newsletter documents listed above require 'Adobe/Acrobat Reader' software, obtain a copy here, if needed. Having reader problems or the 'Does not begin with [%PDF]' issue? Get help from our Adobe Problems page. 

Welcome from the Director

UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity

Welcome to the UCSF/John A. Hartford Foundation Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence!

Meg Wallhagen HCGNE Director

We are proud to be one of the universities selected by the John A. Hartford Foundation to establish a Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing. Our major goal is to prepare an exceptional cadre of nurse scientists who will provide the critically necessary academic leadership in teaching, research, and practice in geriatric nursing.

Outstanding interdisciplinary educational experiences are available, including the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research under the leadership of world-renowned research scientists in our numerous Centers and Institutes at UCSF, such as the Institute for Health and Aging, the Institute of Health Policy Studies, and the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine.

We invite you to become a part of this exciting, innovative Center. The nurses who enroll in our programs will provide leadership in determining the future direction of gerontological research, education, and practice with the goal of improving the quality of life of older Americans by alleviating the problems that older people face each day. We look forward to hearing from you, and we invite you to join us on our exciting journey!

• Meg Wallhagen, PhD, APRN, BC, GNP, AGSF  
  Director, UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

Predoctoral Studies

The mission of the UCSF/John A. Hartford Foundation Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is to prepare an exceptional cadre of nurse scientists who will provide critically necessary academic leadership in teaching, research, and practice in geriatric nursing.

Predoctoral program of study (link: http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-dc.htm) includes two years of modal curriculum plus additional cognates and individualized research residencies. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies and research opportunities are available.

Predoctoral students associated with the John A. Hartford Foundation Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence will be advised and mentored by the gerontological nursing faculty at UCSF.

Opportunities for interdisciplinary research residencies will be arranged according to each student's individual area of interest in gerontological research and a wide variety of other learning experiences will be available through the many schools, centers, and institutes at UCSF that are dedicated to increasing our understanding of aging.

Predoctoral Studies - Who Should Apply?

The mission of the UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is encourage nurses to earn a PhD and establish a research program in gerontological nursing. Doctorally prepared nurses who specialize in gerontological research are sorely needed in Schools of Nursing to educate new nurses and to conduct research in aging.

If you are a nurse who is dedicated to improving the care of elders through research, clinical practice, and education, we hope you will consider applying to the PhD program at UCSF. Persons from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Many applicants to the PhD program have MS degrees in nursing. However, nurses who have a BSN degree and who are dedicated to a career in geriatric nursing research and teaching are also encouraged to apply. In the BSN-PhD program, it is possible to earn a Masters' degree in addition to the PhD with or without a clinical component leading to Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist certification.

The faculty at the Center would like to talk to you about your research interests, discuss the opportunities available at the Center, and help you with the application process to the PhD program. We invite you to call one of the faculty members at the Center to talk about possibilities well in advance of your application to the UCSF PhD program.

Application information is available online at the UCSF School of Nursing web site (link: http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-dc.htm). If space is available, application deadlines may be extended. Please call a faculty member at the Center for details.

Predoctoral Studies - Financial Support

Loans, scholarships, and fellowships are available to support PhD students at UCSF. (More information is available on our financial aid web page.) Faculty members associated with the John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence are committed to providing assistance to students in preparing applications for federal and private funding. Predoctoral students are encouraged to apply for individual National Research Service Awards (NRSA) and faculty will serve as mentors and sponsors in the application process, which can begin the summer before entry into the PhD program.

The John A. Hartford Foundation sponsors 2-year predoctoral fellowships (link: http://www.aannet.org/news/2006/05182006.asp) ($50,000/yr) for predoctoral study in geriatric nursing. Predoctoral students at the UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence will be encouraged to apply for these fellowships and it is possible to apply the summer before entering the program. It is important to talk to a faculty member at the Center about applying for financial support early in your planning process. 

Postdoctoral Studies

Postdoctoral study and research is individualized for each postdoctoral scholar. It is possible to arrange innovative time frames for postdoctoral research, such as summer programs to accommodate faculty who teach during the academic year, or a one-semester program during a sabbatical. Please contact faculty members at the Center to discuss personal goals, define a research focus, and identify interdisciplinary mentors at UCSF.

Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities at UCSF

Opportunities for interdisciplinary research experiences will be arranged according to each scholar's area of interest in aging research. Many opportunities are available at UCSF to work with researchers in all four professional schools and the centers and institutes at UCSF that are dedicated to research in aging.

Postdoctoral Studies - Who Should Apply?

Postdoctoral scholars must hold an earned doctorate. Either the masters' degree or the doctorate degree must be in nursing. New researchers who have earned their doctorates recently are encouraged to apply. Applications are also encouraged from faculty with established programs of research in other fields, such as oncology, cardiovascular nursing, or community health nursing, who would like to redirect their research to gerontology. Persons from disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please contact faculty members at the Center about the application process and deadlines.

Postdoctoral Studies - Financial Support

Faculty associated with the UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence are committed to providing assistance to students in preparing applications for federal and private funding.

The John A. Hartford Foundation sponsors 2-year postdoctoral fellowships (link: http://www.aannet.org/news/2006/05182006.asp) ($60,000/yr) for postdoctoral study in geriatric nursing. Postdoctoral scholars at the UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence will be encouraged to apply for these fellowships and scholars should apply the summer before beginning postdoctoral work. A faculty member at the Center will help each potential postdoctoral fellow focus his/her research program, serve as mentor on the fellowship and provide counseling in the application process.

It is important to talk to a faculty member at the Center about applying for financial support early in your planning process. 

Interdisciplinary Research

UCSF offers a wide range of seminars, classes, grand rounds, and lectures in aging and related issues. Predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars at the UCSF/John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence can participate in research residencies with scientists working on a variety of aging issues.

Interdisciplinary research opportunities will be arranged according to each scholar's area of interest. Research on aging at UCSF includes behavioral, clinical, and health policy studies conducted by scientists in many departments, schools, centers, and institutes. 

Links/Resources

• Dept of Social and Behavioral Sciences
  http://www.ucsf.edu/medsoc.htm
• Dept. of Anthropology, History, and Social Medicine
  http://dahsm.medschool.ucsf.edu
• Institute for Health and Aging
  http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/iha/
• Institute for Health Policy Studies
  http://ihps.ucsf.edu/
• UCSF/Mt. Zion Center on Aging/Academic Geriatric Resource Center
  http://agrc.ucsf.edu
• Division of Geriatrics, UCSF School of Medicine
  http://medicine.ucsf.edu/geriatrics/index.html
• Center for Health and Community
  http://www.chc.ucsf.edu/
• Center for Aging in Diverse Communities
  http://medicine.ucsf.edu/divisions/cadc/
• Memory and Aging Center
  http://memory.ucsf.edu/Research/research.html
• School of Medicine
  http://www.medschool.ucsf.edu
• School of Pharmacy
  http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu
• School of Dentistry
  http://dentistry.ucsf.edu

San Francisco community organizations are leaders in elder care, and may provide sites for observation, practice, or research.

• On Lok's Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) began in Chinatown and is now offered in other areas of San Francisco and at other centers across the U.S
  http://www.onlok.org

• Laguna Honda, a city- and county-owned long-term care facility that serves 1200 residents
  http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/LHHReplace/
• The Goldman Institute on Aging provides innovative senior care and support services, as well as research programs and professional resources on aging
  http://gioa.org/index.html 

Faculty and Staff

Please contact any faculty member to discuss your research interests, opportunities available at the Center, or application procedures.

• Margaret I. (Meg) Wallhagen, PhD, APRN, BC, GNP, FAAN
  Director
  Program of research focuses on the physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and relational factors that influence the adaptation of older adults and their families to the aging process and chronic illness. Core assumptions are that individuals and families are embedded in a culturally meaningful environment that both supports and limits choices, and attempt to achieve a balance between perceived demands and available resources in order to maximize person-environment fit and a sense of control.
  The populations of special interest are informal caregivers (e.g. spouses, daughters) and the persons with a chronic illness for whom they provide care or support (care receivers). Recent research focuses on Type 2 diabetes mellitus in older African-Americans, hearing impairment, and successful aging. Triangulation of research methods (quantitative and qualitative) is utilized.
  Telephone:  (415) 476-4965
  Email:  meg.wallhagen@nursing.ucsf.edu
  Mail:  Dept. of Physiological Nursing,
              UCSF School of Nursing, Box 0610,
              San Francisco, CA   94143-0610
  
  
• Charlene Harrington, RN, PhD, FAAN
  Associate Director
  Program of research focuses on nursing home and community-based services. Emphasis is on the relationship of long-term care policies on access, quality, and cost of care.
  Areas of expertise include sociology of health care, economics and financing, health policy and regulation, aging and long-term care, and social problems.
  Research methods include interviews, surveys, and other quantitative methodologies, including economic analysis.
  Telephone:  (415) 476-4030
  Email:  charlene.harrington@nursing.ucsf.edu
  Mail:  Dept. of Social & Behavioral Sciences,
              3333 California St., #LHts-455
              UCSF Box 0612
              San Francisco, CA   94143-0612
  
  
• Glenna A. Dowling, RN, PhD, FAAN
  Associate Director
  Program of research focuses on the effects and symptom management of chronic progressive neurological diseases in older adults with a theoretical emphasis on circadian functions and sleep-wake rhythms. Current projects include a clinical trial of bright light and melatonin for rest-activity disruptions in nursing home patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, clinical trial of a melatonin agonist for insomnia in community-dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease, and an exploratory study of the rest-activity rhythms in community-dwelling patients with fronto-temporal dementia and their caregivers. Past funded studies have focused on multiple aspects of symptom management in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methodology is quantitative, with measurement of physiological and psychosocial variables. Collaborative studies are interdisciplinary, including co-investigators from nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, psychology, physical therapy, and fine art.
  Telephone:  (415) 502-7791
  Email:  glenna.dowling@nursing.ucsf.edu
  Mail:  Dept. of Physiological Nursing,
              UCSF School of Nursing, Box 0610,
              San Francisco, CA   94143-0610
  
  
• Nancy Stotts, RN, EdD, FAAN
  Professor, Dept. of Physiological Nursing;
  Research program focuses on acute and chronic illness in adults; wound healing and recovery; nutrition and recovery; gerontologic nursing.
  Telephone:  (415) 476-4412
  Email:  nancy.stotts@nursing.ucsf.edu
  Mail:  Dept. of Physiological Nursing,
              UCSF School of Nursing, Box 0610,
              San Francisco, CA   94143-0610
  
  
• Sara Burke, BA
  Project Director
  A seasoned University of California management professional, Sara Burke has devoted her career to supporting the UC education, research, and public service mission. She has worked to improve medical access with the Area Health Education Center in Fresno, to present ongoing continuing professional education for physicians at UC San Francisco, and has supported government and community relations, research integrity, and public forums at UC San Diego.
  While at UCSD, she enhanced the University's leadership role in science and technology policy and engaged the public in discussion of biotechnology and bioethics. Her background and experience in project management provide new resources for the UCSF/Hartford Center and its mission: to lead in curriculum development and sustainability for advanced geriatric nursing education.
  Email:  sara.burke@nursing.ucsf.edu
  
  
• Sheila McLaughlin, MFA, BFA
  Project Analyst
  The UCSF/HCGNE Center welcomes Sheila McLaughlin as a Project Analyst. Sheila is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and the New York School of Visual Arts. An accomplished teacher of both digital photography and traditional photography and the former president of an independent art gallery, Sheila brings a wealth of experience in education, communication, photography, graphic design, web design, and event planning to the Center. Prior to joining the Hartford Center, Sheila provided administrative support for the Institute for Health and Aging and also worked as Student Services Coordinator for the UCSF School of Dentistry. Having been committed to the value of education throughout her career, Sheila enthusiastically supports the Center's mission and goals and is excited about contributing to the future success of the UCSF/Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.
  Email:  Sheila.McLaughlin@nursing.ucsf.edu  

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us with questions. We are glad to discuss your personal goals, plans, and interests.

You may phone or email a faculty member directly or contact the UCSF/John A. Hartford Foundation Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence by mail, email, or telephone.

Telephone:  (415) 514-2935
Email:  Hartford.CGNE@nursing.ucsf.edu

Mail: 

UCSF/Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
UCSF School of Nursing, Box 0610
2 Koret Way, #N-631
San Francisco, CA  94143-0610

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Revised:  Feb. 2008
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