8 faculty receive promotions

The Board of Regents approved promotions and tenure for eight School of Nursing faculty at a May meeting.

Siobhan McMahon, PhD, MPH, APRN, GNP-BC, was promoted to full professor. She serves as the director of the Center on Aging Science and Care and holds a School of Nursing Foundation Professorship. She also serves as associate director of the Clinical Science and Practice Core of the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation. She leads interdisciplinary research to develop and test behavior change strategies within community-based, fall-reducing physical activity interventions. 

Barb McMorris, PhD, was promoted to full professor. She serves as the associate director of Training, Leadership in Adolescent Education and Health Fellowship Program. Her research is focused on the promotion of healthy youth development and prevention of risky adolescent health behaviors, including alcohol and substance use, bullying and violent behaviors, sexual risk-taking, and mental distress. 

Kristine Talley, PhD, APRN, GNP-BC, FGSA, was promoted to full professor. She serves as the associate dean for Faculty Affairs and holds a Long Term Care Professorship in Nursing. She is co-director of Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and was recognized as a Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence. Her research pinpoints risk factors, preventive measures and treatments for late-life disability stemming from geriatric syndromes.

Mary Fran Tracy, PhD, APRN, CNS, FCNS, FAAN, was promoted to full professor. She serves as assistant dean for the PhD program and director of Graduate Studies. She holds a School of Nursing Foundation Research Professorship. She provides strategic direction to translate nursing research into evidence-based practice improvements that enhance patient outcomes. 

Kristin Sandau, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, was awarded tenure. Her research focuses on improving outcomes for individuals living with durable heart assist devices (dLVAD) and their caregiving partners, as well as enhancing continuous ECG monitoring in hospital settings. Sandau's academic interests encompass acute care nursing, evidence-based practice and leadership in healthcare. 

Sripriya Rajamani, PhD, MPH, MBBS, FAMIA, was awarded tenure. She holds the Pauline A. Vincent Chair in Public Health Nursing. Her research interests are in public health informatics, the impact of information technology in public health practice and population health, adoption and use of standards, and measuring and understanding the impact of interoperability. Rajamani is also a practicing public health informatician with the Minnesota Department of Health.

Jiwoo Lee, PhD, RN, PHN, was promoted to associate professor with tenure. Her research is focused on nutrition security among children in low-income households. In collaboration with community partners, her team is assessing the effectiveness of community-based nutrition assistance programs during vulnerable periods (summer and weekends) when nutrition insecurity is more prevalent.

Lauren Petersen, DNP, MPH, APRN, CPNP-PC, was promoted to clinical associate professor. She serves as director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She maintains a pediatric primary care practice and precepts nurse practitioner students in this setting. Petersen is committed to evidence-based care grounded in public health perspectives and is dedicated to fostering students' development in clinical practice and scholarly pursuits.