Anne Chevalier McKechnie, PhD, RN

Dr. McKechnie's research is focused on supporting families as they are preparing and caring for medically vulnerable infants. Dr. McKechnie's research has employed methods of grounded theory, content analysis, instrument development, and intervention science. Recent work has involved developing and testing a nurse-guided digital healthcare intervention with patient engagement strategies. The goal of the intervention is to support parental mental health and caregiving following prenatal diagnosis of an infant’s critical congenital heart disease.

Research areas include:

• Understanding the needs of families who continue pregnancies after major fetal anomaly diagnoses (e.g., congenital heart disease)
• Constructing and testing self-report measures
• Developing and testing family-centered digital healthcare interventions to support families in the context of prenatal diagnosis

Academic Interests and Focus

• Theory
• Qualitative Research
• Science of Nursing Intervention

Courses
Undergraduate Honors

• Applied Research and Research Utilization
• Nursing Theory and Research

DNP

• Science of Nursing Intervention

PhD

• Theory in Nursing Research
• Qualitative Research for Nursing Health Care

• Daisy Award for Exceptional Mentorship
• Daisy Award for Scholarship in Teaching and Practice
• Abstract of Distinction awarded by the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science

• Center for Child and Family Health Promotion Research
• Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs
• International Family Nursing Association
• Midwestern Nursing Research Society

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K. M., Ambrose, M. B., Sanchez Mejia, A. A., Shah, K. M., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Trebilcock, A., & Hallock, C. (2024). Nurse-guided mobile health care program to reduce emotional distress experienced by parents of infants prenatally diagnosed with critical congenital heart disease: A pilot study. Progress in Pediatric Cardiology, 72, 101687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppedcard.2023.101687

Gallagher, T. T., & McKechnie, A. C. (2024). Missed care and equitable breastfeeding support: An integrative review of exposure to in-hospital care by patient characteristics and breastfeeding outcomes. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80, 3086–3102. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16077

Elgersma, K. M., Engel, M. L., Ramel, S. E., Davis, J. A., McKechnie, A. C., & Pfister, K. M. (2024). Human milk, breastfeeding, and early neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with critical CHD. Cardiology in the Young, 1–9. doi:10.1017/S1047951124025228

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K. M., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Trebilcock, A., Damico, J., Sosa, A., Ambrose, M. B., Shah, K., Sanchez Mejia, A. A., & Pridham, K. F. (2023). An M Health, patient engagement approach to understand and address parents’ mental health and caregiving needs after prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease. PEC Innovation, 3, 100213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100213

Elgersma, K., McKechnie, A., Sommerness, S., Tanner, L., & Swanson, N. (2023). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical CHD. Cardiology in the Young, 33(10), 2000-2011. doi:10.1017/S1047951122003808

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., Ambrose, M. B., Chen, S., Mathiason, M. A., Miller, S., Johnson, K. A., & Leuthner, S. R. (2021). Development and testing of a self-report measure of preparing to parent in the context of a fetal anomaly diagnosis. Patient Education and Counseling, 104(3), 666-670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.017

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Gallagher, T., Trebilcock, A. L., Pridham, K. F., & Spatz, D. L. (2020). Feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease: A Delphi survey to examine potential research and practice gaps. Cardiology in the Young. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1047951120004370

McKechnie, A. C., Johnson, K. A., Baker, M., Docherty, S. L., Leuthner, S. R., & Thoyre, S. M. (2020). Adaptive leadership in parents caring for their children born with life-threatening conditions. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 53, 41-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.03.018

McKechnie, A. C., Waldrop, J., Matsuda, Y., Martinez, M., Fields, C., Baker, M., & Beeber, L. (2018). Mothers’ perspectives on managing the developmental delay of a child with considerations for contextual influences and maternal functioning. Journal of Family Nursing, 24(3), 405-442. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840718780474

McKechnie, A. C., Rogstad, J., Martin, K., & Pridham, K. F. (2018). An exploration of co-parenting in the context of caring for a child prenatally diagnosed and born with a complex health condition. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74(2), 350–363. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13415

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F., & Tluczek, A. (2016). Walking the “emotional tightrope” from pregnancy to parenthood: Understanding parental motivation to manage health care and distress after fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Journal of Family Nursing, 22(1), 74-107. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732312458371

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F., & Tluczek, A. (2015). Preparing heart and mind for becoming a parent following a diagnosis of fetal anomaly. Qualitative Health Research, 25(9), 1182-1198. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314553852

McKechnie, A. C., & Pridham, K. F. (2012). Preparing heart and mind following prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart defect. Qualitative Health Research, 22, 1694-1706. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732312458371

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Sommerness, S. A., Tanner, L. R., & Swanson, N. M. (2022, April). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with their infants hospitalized with complex congenital heart disease. Poster accepted for the 46th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Schaumburg, IL.

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Gallagher, T., Trebilcock, A. L., Pridham, K. F., & Spatz, D. L. (2021, April). Feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease: A Delphi survey to examine potential research and practice gaps. Poster presented at the 45th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA.

Flaten, C., Bradley, C. S., & McKechnie, A. C. (2022, April). Engaging faculty in competency-based curriculum mapping to ensure practice-ready nurses. Paper submitted for presentation at the National Nurse Educator Summit, Seattle, WA.

Chen, S., & McKechnie, A. C. (2020, April). Depressive Symptoms, Caregiving Development, and Parental Agency Among Fathers of Infants Prenatally Diagnosed with Life-Threatening Major Anomalies. Paper presented at the 44th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Schaumburg, Illinois.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Erickson, K., & Ambrose, M. B. (2020, March). Meeting the Needs of Parents in the Context of Fetal/Infant Heart Disease: Steps to Developing a Patient Engagement Approach and Lessons Learned. Paper presented at the GetWellNetwork GetConnected 2020 Conference, District of Columbia.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Erickson, K., & Ambrose, M. B. (2019, November). Meeting the Needs of Parents in the Context of Fetal/Infant Heart Disease: Steps to Developing an eHealth Enhanced Care Approach and Lessons Learned. Paper presented at The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., Ambrose, M., Leuthner, S., Miller, S., Chen, S., & Mathiason, M. M. (2019, August). Communication about Needs and Diagnostic Information of Relevance (CANDIR): Field-Testing of a Measure for Expectant Mothers and Fathers Following Fetal Anomaly. Paper presented at the 14th International Family Nursing Association Conference, District of Columbia.

Alsaker, B. A., McKechnie, A. C., Chih-Lin, S., Pridham, K., & Monsen, K. A. (2019, April). A Data-Driven Omaha System Family-Level Outcomes Study: Hidden Patterns in Maternal-Child Health, Mental Health, and Neglect Problems. Paper presented at the 2019 Omaha System International Conference, Eagan, Minnesota.

Alsaker, B., McKechnie, A. C., Chi, C., Maganti, S., Pridham, K., & Monsen, K. A. (2018, November). Applying the Family Context to Explore Patterns in Big Public Health Nursing Data. Paper presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, San Diego, California.

McKechnie, A. C., Alsaker, B., Chi, C., Maganti, S., Pridham, K., & Monsen, K. A. (2018, April). Feasibility of Using Large Nursing Datasets for Family Nursing Research: Seeking Patterns in Family Problems, Interventions and Outcomes. Paper presented at the 42nd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio.

Kroupina, M., Dahl, C., Elison, K., McKechnie, A. C., Roben, C., & Osterholm, E. (2018, February). Relationship Based Intervention Approach in the Context of Neonatal Intensive Care: Developing a New Model. Paper presented at the 31st Annual Gravens Conference on the Environment of Care for High-Risk Newborns, Clearwater Beach, Florida.

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., & Miller, S. (2017, June). Communication about Needs and Diagnostic Information of Relevance (CANDIR): Content Validation of a Measure for Expectant Parents Following Fetal Diagnosis. Paper presented at the 13th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Pamplona, Spain.

Beacham, B., & McKechnie, A. C. (2017, June). Language in Family Research - What We Say and What We Mean. Paper presented at the 13th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Pamplona, Spain.

McKechnie, A. C., Rogstad, J., Martin, K., & Pridham, K. F. (2017, April). The Co-Parenting Relationship in the Context of Caring for a Child Prenatally-Diagnosed and Born with a Complex Health Condition. Paper presented at the 41st Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., & Waldrop, J. (2017, April). Personal and Social Influences on Mother's Family Management of Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities. Paper presented at the 51st Annual Gatlinberg Conference, San Diego, California.

McKechnie, A. C. (2016, December). Invited speaker in the “Fish Bowl”. Paper presented at the Planting Seeds of Innovation Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., & Beacham, B. L. (2016, November). Family Inclusivity: Do We Include All Families in Research? Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Beacham, B., & McKechnie, A. C. (2016, September). Family Inclusivity: Do We Include All Families in Research? Paper presented at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia.

McKechnie, A. C., et al. (2016, September). Applying the Family Context to Explore Patterns in Big Public Health Nursing Data. Paper presented at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T. M., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R. (2016, September). Expectations and Intentions for Infant Caregiving and Feeding: Reports of Women Expecting a Healthy Infant or an Infant with a Heart Defect. Paper presented at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., Brown, R. (2016, March). Qualities of Co-Parenting across the First Year of Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease. Paper presented at the 40th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

McKechnie, A. C., Miller, S., Erickson, K. (2016, March). Content Validation of a Measure Developed for Expectant Parents Following Fetal Anomaly Diagnosis: Communication About Needs and Diagnostic Information of Relevance (CANDIR). Paper presented at the 40th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

McKechnie, A. C. (2015, December). Mobile and Web Application for Parents and Health Care Providers after Fetal Heart Disease Diagnosis. Paper presented at the Ecosystem Event, Minnesota Innovation Corps (MIN-CORPS), Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C. (2015, December). Invited speaker on the Innovation Panel. Paper presented at the Planting Seeds of Innovation: MakerNurse Workshop/Conference at the Medical Devices Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Johnson, K. A., & McKechnie, A. C. (2015, October). What Patient Communications do Inpatient Oncology Nurses Perceive as Cues to Emotional Distress. Paper presented at the International Conference on Communication in Health, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Thoyre, S., McKechnie, A. C., Park, J., Hubbard, C., & Young, T. (2015, August). Co-Regulated Feeding Intervention for Mothers of Very Preterm Infants: Evaluating Fidelity. Paper presented at the 12th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Odense, Denmark.

Pados, B., Estrem, H., Thoyre, S., Park, J., Hodges, E., McComish, C., McKechnie, A. C., & Knafl, K. (2015, August). Content Validation of the Family Management Measure: Feeding (FaMMFeed). Paper presented at the 12th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Odense, Denmark.

McKechnie, A. C., Johnson, K. A., Baker, M., Docherty, S., & Thoyre, S. (2015, April). Adaptive Leadership in Parents Caring for their Children Born with Life-Threatening Conditions. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Nursing Research Day - Innovations Through Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., Johnson, K. A., Baker, M., Docherty, S., & Thoyre, S. (2015, April). Adaptive Leadership in Parents Caring for Their Children Born with Life-Threatening Conditions. Paper presented at the 39th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., Brown, R., & Fedderly, R. (2015, April). The Difference Illness Makes: Co-Parenting Trajectories Across the First Year of Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease. Paper presented at the 39th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Martinez, M., Meltzer-Brody, S., Mandel, M., Wheeler, A., Hubbard, G., Mills-Koonce, R., Schwartz, T., Matsuda, Y., McKechnie, A. C., Galbraith, K., Alvarez, S., & Beeber, L. (2014, September). Maternal Depressive Symptoms: An Opportunity and Need to Treat in Early Intervention. Paper presented at the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health Scientific Conference, Wales, United Kingdom.

McKechnie, A. C., Mandel, M., Wheeler, A., Martinez, M., Matsuda, Y., Galbraith, K., & Beeber, L. (2014, September). Children in the Grey Zone: Navigating Undiagnosed Developmental Delays in Infants and Toddlers. Paper presented at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2014 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, District of Columbia.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T. M., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R., & Fedderly, R. (2014, September). Infant Congenital Heart Disease Severity and Co-Parenting Motivation: Contribution to the Support Parents Give Each Other in Parenting. Paper presented at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2014 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, District of Columbia, United States.

Pridham, K. F., McKechnie, A. C., Harrison, T., & Krolikowski, M. (2014, March). Co-Parenting Communication for Caregiving of Infants with a Complex Congenital Heart Defect through the First 12 Months. Paper presented at the 38th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Pridham, K. F., Lamberg-Jones, E., & Thoyre, S. (2014, March). Embraced, Avoided or De-Emphasized: How Expectant Parents Managed Technological Information about their Fetal Diagnoses. Paper presented at the 38th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., & Brown, R. (2013, June). Challenges Parents Confront in Caring for an Infant with a Congenital Heart Defect Through the First Year. Paper presented at the 11th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., & Pridham, K. F. (2013, June). Parents' Mental Health and Motivation to Manage Care after Pre- or Postnatal Diagnosis of Infant Heart Defect. Paper presented at the 11th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., & Pridham, K. F. (2013, March). Considering what is Best for Baby: A Collective Case Study of Women's Prenatal Internal Working Models for Breastfeeding. Paper presented at the 37th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

McKechnie, A. C., & Pridham, K. F. (2012, April). Preparing Heart and Mind Following Prenatal Diagnosis of Complex Congenital Heart Defect. Paper presented at the 36th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Dearborn, Michigan.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., & Pridham, K. F. (2011, October). When an Infant is Hospitalized with a Heart Defect: Being the Parent. Paper presented at the "Bringing Science to Life: A Healthier Tomorrow," National Institute of Nursing Research 25th Anniversary Concluding Symposium, District of Columbia.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., & Pridham, K. F. (2011, April). Assessing Parent-Infant Relationships in the Context of Medical and Psychological Risks: The Value of Subjective and Objective Data. Paper presented at the Society for Research in Child Development Bi-Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., Krolikowski, M., Mussatto, K., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R., & Frommelt, M. (2010, April). Feeding Motivations of Parents of an Infant with a Complex Congenital Heart Defect. Paper presented at the Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.

McKechnie, A. C., & Pridham, K. F. (2009, March). Motivating Forces for Parents Receiving Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Congenital Heart Defect. Paper presented at the 33rd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., & Henriques, J. B. (2008, October). Maternal Variables Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding among Low-Income Mothers. Paper presented at the International Lactation Consultant Association/European Lactation Consultant Association Joint Conference, Vienna, Austria.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., & Henriques, J. B. (2007, March). Maternal Variables Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding among Low-Income Mothers. Paper presented at the 32nd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Omaha, Nebraska.

Award: Integrating human milk feeding content into the new Preparing Heart and MindTM digital health care program designed for parents of infants prenatally diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease
Principal Investigator: McKechnie
Award Dates: 2022-2024

Award: Telelactation support for mothers of premature infants after hospital discharge
Principal Investigator: Beckman
Sponsoring Organization: Children's Minnesota
Award Dates: 2023-2025

Award: Improving inclusivity of content, delivery, and testing of the Preparing Heart and Mind care program designed for families of infants prenatally diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease
Principal Investigator: Blazar, Bruce R, McKechnie, Anne
Sponsoring Organization: NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, University of Minnesota Office of Discovery and Translation grant
Award Dates: 2021 - 2024

Award: Extending an eHealth enhanced care approach: Development of nurse-guided patient engagement content to support human milk feeding of infants with complex congenital heart disease.
Principal Investigator: Blazar, Bruce R
Sponsoring Organization: NIH National Center for Advancing Tran Science, University of Minnesota Office of Discovery and Translation grant
Award Dates: 2019 - 2021

Award: Preparing Heart and Mind^TM: A mobile and web application for expectant parents and health care providers after fetal heart disease diagnosis.
Principal Investigator: Gurvich, Vadim J
Sponsoring Organization: NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, MN-REACH Research and Evaluation Hub
Award Dates: 2017 - 2019

Award: Preparing Heart and Mind^TM care program for parents and healthcare providers after a prenatal diagnosis of heart disease: Addressing diverse needs and inclusivity in research design and recruitment
Principal Investigator: McKechnie, Anne
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota School of Nursing Foundation Grant
Dates: 2021 - 2022 

• Preparing Heart and Mind^TM: Human Milk Feeding Care Program – Spanish Translation; University of Minnesota Office of Technology and Commercialization. Issued: 2021
• Preparing Heart and Mind^TM: Care Program – Spanish Translation; University of Minnesota Office of Technology and Commercialization. Issued: 2021
• Preparing Heart and Mind^TM: Human Milk Feeding Care Program v. 1.0; University of Minnesota Office of Technology and Commercialization. Issued: 2019
• Intellectual Property Title: Preparing Heart and Mind^TM Care Program v. 2.0; University of Minnesota Office of Technology and Commercialization. Issued: 2018

• Parenting after fetal anomaly diagnosis and birth of an infant with complex health needs
• Development and testing of psycho-educational intervention to address parents' needs using mobile health technology
• Improvement of health care accessibility and inclusion of diverse parent voices to reduce health disparities