Treat-Jacobson leaves a legacy at the forefront of cardiovascular nursing

Diane Treat-Jacobson, PhD, RN, FAHA, MSVM, FAAN, who served at the forefront of cardiovascular nursing advocating for earlier detection and innovative treatment options for patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD), passed away Sept. 3.

As a professor, senior executive associate dean for research, and the Cora Meidl Siehl Chair in Nursing Research for Improved Care at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, her research and scholarship reshaped how healthcare providers manage PAD, a debilitating and progressive condition affecting millions of Americans.

Her contributions earned top distinctions across vascular healthcare. She was conferred as a Master of the Society for Vascular Medicine, making her the first nurse in history to receive this prestigious designation. She was named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Heart Association, and the Society for Vascular Medicine. She served as president of the Society for Vascular Nursing and was a member of the Leadership Committee for the American Heart Association (AHA) Peripheral Vascular Disease Council. 

Treat-Jacobson spent more than 24 years advancing the School of Nursing’s mission, rising from assistant professor in 2002 to full professor in 2015 and associate dean for research in 2018.

“Diane was truly an exemplar, blending her profound scientific contributions with a deep commitment to service. Her pioneering work in person-centered care empowered patients in their homes, and she skillfully translated critical research into national policy that genuinely improved everyday lives. That unwavering focus on people was at the core of all she did,” says Dean Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP. “Beyond her remarkable research and policy impact, Diane’s leadership and service were integral to our school, University and to national organizations. She had a unique gift for igniting a passion for research in novice undergraduate students and for mentoring early-career scientists. We will deeply cherish Diane’s heart-centered approach, her warm smiles, and the laughter she shared with her teams and colleagues. She truly embodied the spirit of bringing head and heart together in everything she pursued.”

A nurse clinician and internationally recognized scientist, Treat-Jacobson’s research focused primarily on developing, testing, and implementing supervised exercise interventions for patients experiencing claudication and critical limb ischemia. Her leadership on a National Institutes of Health-funded R01 study introduced creative, practical approaches to exercise rehabilitation, directly enhancing both functional and physiological outcomes for PAD patients. Beyond physical rehabilitation, she recognized the psychological impact of the disease, prompting her to design and validate the PAD Quality of Life (PADQOL) questionnaire—a vital measurement tool now used globally to evaluate patient-centered care outcomes.

Treat-Jacobson’s scholarly achievements extend into national policy changes. Serving as chair and lead author of the AHA Scientific Statement on optimal exercise programs, as well as the Science Advisory on supervised exercise therapy implementation, her service was instrumental in transforming treatment guidelines. These efforts paved the way for policy and coverage updates by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, expanding access to vital rehabilitation programs for patients across the country.

Her commitment to health equity shines through community-driven work, including her role as project director of the PAD PRAIRIE Initiative. Partnering with rural communities across west-central Minnesota, she served alongside local healthcare providers and residents to improve local screening, early management and public education. For these efforts, she received the President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award from the University of Minnesota.

As a dedicated educator and mentor to students from undergraduate through doctoral levels, Treat-Jacobson actively engaged students in scholarly research and provided impactful research mentorship to numerous faculty members.

“Over 18 years, Diane evolved from my PhD adviser to my co-author, colleague, and dear friend. She had a rare gift for recognizing potential and inspiring others. As vast as her scientific impact was, her heart was even bigger. She was family to me, and her legacy lives on in the science she advanced and the lives she nurtured,” says Associate Professor Erica Schorr, PhD, BSBA, RN.

Treat-Jacobson earned a PhD in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center.