UW News

July 20, 2011

Two from UW win Friends of the National Institute of Nursing research awards

UW Health Sciences/UW Medicine

Dr. Carol Landis

Dr. Carol Landis

Landis will receive the 2011 Pathfinder Award and Mitchell will receive the 2011 Ada Sue Hinshaw Award. The awards will be given to Landis and Mitchell at the annual Friends of the National Institute of Research NightinGala, November 14, in Washington D.C.

“It is wonderful to have the exceptional contributions of our faculty and staff recognized in settings such as these,” said Marla Salmon, dean of the UW  School of Nursing. “We are so pleased that the significant achievements of Drs. Landis and Mitchell are being honored by the Friends of the National Institute for Nursing Research. These well deserved awards reflect the impact of their work on the health of
people across the nation.”

The Pathfinder Award for 2011 to be presented to Landis  recognizes a nurse researcher whose long‐standing commitment to nursing research has made a difference in the lives of people with health care needs. Past recipients of the Pathfinder Award include esteemed nurse scientists from around the country including several UW School of Nursing faculty members.

Landis researches  sleep and health consequences of disturbed sleep. Her studies include the effects of altered sleep patterns and sleep deprivation in health issues such as pain, wound healing, immune function and chronic illness. Landis is a registered nurse and holds a Doctor of Nursing Science. She  is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Currently she is co‐investigator for a multi‐site study evaluating treatments to reduce hot flashes and improve sleep in menopausal and post‐menopausal women. A member of the University of Washington Center for Research on Management of Sleep Disturbances, she also serves as director for an NINR funded training grant for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows at the school of nursing.

“The UW School of Nursing department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems is extremely proud of Dr. Landis for her outstanding contributions to human health,” said Margaret Heitkemper, department chair and professor. “Her focus on sleep and its impact on symptoms and quality of life, particularly in women and children with chronic illness, has improved the care provided to these groups.”

Dr. Pamela Mitchell

Dr. Pamela Mitchell

Mitchell’s research interest is in  improving care for patients with conditions such as stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and neurological diseases. She is known throughout the nursing community as the “mother” of current practices in nursing care for patients with intracranial pressure, such as those with head injury and stroke. She is recognized as a leading researcher in managing recovery from brain injury in both acute and community care settings. Mitchell is a  registered nurse and holds a Ph.D. in healthcare systems ecology. She is a Fellow of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and of  the American Academy of Nursing.

Mitchells national leadership has included presidency of the American Academy of Nursing and roles in the National Institute for Nursing Research and the Advisory Council to the American Stroke Association. She has received awards for both research and teaching in the UW School of Nursing.

“For over 30 years Dr. Mitchell has served as an invaluable mentor to undergraduate and graduate students,” department chair Heitkemper said. “In addition she helped to build the careers of many University of Washington faculty members by modeling excellence in both research and teaching. Her work has had a very positive impact on patients and their families and the nurses who care for them.”