Anne Chevalier McKechnie, PhD, RN

Dr. McKechnie's research is focused on supporting families that are preparing and caring for medically fragile infants in the context of highly technical healthcare. Dr. McKechnie's research has employed methods of grounded theory, content analysis, instrument development, and intervention science. Current projects include developing and testing a nurse-guided intervention using a customized care program delivered on patient engagement software with a parent-facing app and a clinician dashboard. Other funded projects are dedicated to improving inclusivity and diversity of care program content and translation to Spanish.

Research area includes: Understanding the needs of families who continue pregnancies after major fetal anomaly diagnoses (e.g., congenital heart disease); Developing and testing self report measures and family-centered interventions for parents who are preparing for and adapting to the care required for their children during an early, formative time.

Academic Interests and Focus
Theory

• Qualitative Research
• Science of Nursing Intervention

Courses
Undergraduate Honors Courses:

• Applied Research and Research Utilization
• Nursing Theory and Research
• Doctorate of Nursing Practice Course:
• Science of Nursing Intervention

PhD Courses:

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

• The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, The DAISY Award Foundation, 2019
• Family Research Section Dissertation Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2014
• National Service Research Award, 2013
• National Service Research Award, 2011
• Outstanding Student Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, 2007
• Research Scholarship Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2007
• National Service Research Award, 2007

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

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Sommerness, S. A., Tanner, L. R., & Swanson, N. M. (2022). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical congenital heart disease. Cardiology in the Young. [Advance online publication].

Swanson, N.M., Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., McPherson, P. L., Bergeron, M. J., Sommerness, S. A., Friedrich, C. L., & Spatz, D. L. (2022). Encourage, Assess, Transition (EAT): A quality improvement project implementing a breastfeeding protocol for preterm hospitalized infants. Advances in Neonatal Care: Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. [Advance online publication]. https://doi.10.1097/ANC.0000000000001037

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Schorr, E. N., Shah, K. M., Trebilcock, A. L., Ramel, S. E.,Ambrose, M, B., Swanson, N. M., Sommerness, S. A., & Spatz, D. L. (2022). The impact of human milk on outcomes for infants with congenital heart disease: A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(5), 393-411. https://doi.10.1089/bfm.2021.0334

Pridham, K. F., McKechnie, A. C., Harrison, T., & Brown, R. (2022). Prenatal motivation for caregiving issues: A pilot study of mothers expecting healthy infants and infants with complex congenital heart disease. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, 35(4), 1-20. https://doi.10.1891/RTNP-D-20-00101

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, 31(4), 577-588. 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., 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/10.1177/1074840715616603

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

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 46^th 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 45^th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA

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

Chen, S., McKechnie, A. C. "Depressive Symptoms, Caregiving Development, and Parental Agency Among Fathers of Infants Prenatally Diagnosed with Life-Threatening Major Anomalies", 44th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Schaumburg, Illinois, April 01, 2020.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Erickson, K., Ambrose, M. B. "Meeting the Needs of Parents in the Context of Fetal/Infant Heart Disease: Steps to Developing a Patient Engagement Approach and Lessons Learned", GetWellNetwork GetConnected 2020 Conference, District of Columbia, March 01, 2020.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Erickson, K., Ambrose, M. B. "Meeting the Needs of Parents in the Context of Fetal/Infant Heart Disease: Steps to Developing an eHealth Enhanced Care Approach and Lessons Learned", The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 01, 2019.

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., Ambrose, M., Leuthner, S., Miller, S., Chen, S., Mathiason, M. M. "Communication About Needs and Diagnostic Information of Relevance (CANDIR): Field-Testing of a Measure for Expectant Mothers and Fathers Following Fetal Anomaly", 14th International Family Nursing Association Confrence, District of Columbia, August 01, 2019.

Alsaker, B. A., McKechnie, A. C., Chih-Lin, S., Pridham, K., Monsen, K. A. "A Data-Driven Omaha System Family-Level Outcomes Study: Hidden Patterns in Maternal-Child Health, Mental Health, and Neglect Problems", 2019 Omaha System International Conference, Eagan, Minnesota, April 01, 2019.

Alsaker, B., McKechnie, A. C., Chi, C., Maganti, S., Pridham, K., Monsen, K. A. "Applying the Family Context to Explore Patterns in Big Public Health Nursing Data", American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, San Diego, California, November 01, 2018.

McKechnie, A. C., Alsaker, B., Chi, C., Maganti, S., Pridham, K., Monsen, K. A. "Feasibility of Using Large Nursing Datasets for Family Nursing Research: Seeking Patterns in Family Problems, Interventions and Outcomes", 42nd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, April 01, 2018.

Kroupina, M., Dahl, C., Elison, K., McKechnie, A. C., Roben, C., Osterholm, E. "Relationship Based Intervention Approach in the Context of Neonatal Intensive Care: Developing a New Model", 31st Annual Gravens Conference on the Environment of Care for High Risk Newborns, Clearwater Beach, Florida, February 01, 2018.

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., Miller, S. "Communication About Needs and Diagnostice Information of Relevance (CANDIR): Content Validation of a Measure for Expectant Parents Following Fetal", 13th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Pamplona, Spain. June 01, 2017.

Beacham, B., McKechnie, A. C. "Language in Family Research - What We Say and What We Mean", 13th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Pamplona, Spain. June 01, 2017.

McKechnie, A. C., Rogstad, J., Martin, K., Pridham, K. F. "The Co-Parenting Relationship in the Context of Caring for a Child Prenatally-Diagnosed and Born with a Complex Health Condition", 41st Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 01, 2017.

McKechnie, A. C., Waldrop, J. "Personal and Social Influences on Mother's Family Management of Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities", 51st Annual Gatlinberg Conference, San Diego, California, April 01, 2017.

McKechnie, A. C. "Invited speaker in the “Fish Bowl”", Planting Seeds of Innovation Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 01, 2016.

McKechnie, A. C., Beacham, B. L. "Family Inclusivity: Do We Include All Families in Research", National Council on Family Relations Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 01, 2016.

Beacham, B., McKechnie, A. C. "Family Inclusivity: Do We Include All Families in Research", Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia, September 01, 2016.

McKechnie, A. C., Waldrop, J., Matsuda, Y., Martinez, M., Fields, C., Baker, M., Beeber, L. "Family Management of Children with Developmental Delays: Mothers' Perspectives", Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia, September 01, 2016.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T. M., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R. "Expectations and Intentions for Infant Caregiving and Feeding: Reports of Women Expecting a Healthy Infant or an Infant with a Heart Defect", Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2016 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research: Determinants of Health, District of Columbia, September 01, 2016.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., Brown, R. "Qualities of Co-Parenting Across the First Year of Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease", 40th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 01, 2016.

McKechnie, A. C., Miller, S., Erickson, K. "Content Validation of a Measure Developed for Expectant Parents Following Fetal Anomaly Diagnosis: Communication About Needs and Diagnostic Information of Relevance (CANDIR)", 40th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 01, 2016.

McKechnie, A. C. "Mobile and Web Application for Parents and Health Care Providers After Fetal Heart Disease Diagnosis", Ecosystem Event, Minnesota Innovation Corps (MIN-CORPS), Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 01, 2015.

McKechnie, A. C. "Invited speaker on the Innovation Panel", Planting Seeds of Innovation: MakerNurse Workshop/Conference at the Medical Devices Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 01, 2015.

Johnson, K. A., McKechnie, A. C. "What Patient Communications do Inpatient Oncology Nurses Perceive as Cues to Emotional Distress", International Conference on Communication in Health, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 01, 2015.

Thoyre, S., McKechnie, A. C., Park, J., Hubbard, C., Young, T. "Co-Regulated Feeding Intervention for Mothers of Very Preterm Infants: Evaluating Fidelity", 12th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Odense, Denmark. August 01, 2015.

Pados, B., Estrem, H., Thoyre, S., Park, J., Hodges, E., McComish, C., McKechnie, A. C., Knafl, K. "Content Validation of the Family Management Measure: Feeding (FaMMFeed)", 12th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Odense, Denmark. August 01, 2015.

McKechnie, A. C., Johnson, K. A., Baker, M., Docherty, S., Thoyre, S. "Adaptive Leadership in Parents Caring for their Children Born with Life-Threatening Conditions ", 4th Annual Nursing Research Day - Innovations Through Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 01, 2015.

McKechnie, A. C., Johnson, K. A., Baker, M., Docherty, S., Thoyre, S. "Adaptive Leadership in Parents Caring for Their Children Born with Life-Threatening Conditions", 39th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 01, 2015.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., Brown, R., Fedderly, R. "The Difference Illness Makes: Co-Parenting Trajectories Across the First Year of Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease", 39th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 01, 2015.

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. "Maternal Depressive Symptoms: An Opportunity and Need to Treat in Early Intervention", International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health Scientific Conference, Wales, United Kingdom. September 01, 2014.

McKechnie, A. C., Mandel, M., Wheeler, A., Martinez, M., Matsuda, Y., Galbraith, K., Beeber, L. "Children in the Grey Zone: Navigating Undiagnosed Developmental Delays in Infants and Toddlers", Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2014 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, District of Columbia, September 01, 2014.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T. M., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R., Fedderly, R. "Infant Congenital Heart Disease Severity and Co-Parenting Motivation: Contribution to the Support Parents Give Each Other in Parenting", Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: 2014 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, District of Columbia, United States. September 01, 2014.

Pridham, K. F., McKechnie, A. C., Harrison, T., Krolikowski, M. "Co-Parenting Communication for Caregiving of Infants with a Complex Congenital Heart Defect Through the First 12 Months", 38th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference , St. Louis, Missouri, March 01, 2014.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Pridham, K. F., Lamberg-Jones, E., Thoyre, S. "Embraced, Avoided or De-Emphasized: How Expectant Parents Managed Technological Information about their Fetal Diagnoses", 38th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, March 01, 2014.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., McKechnie, A. C., Krolikowski, M., Brown, R., Melby, J., Mussatto, K. "Challenges Parents Confront in Caring for an Infant with a Congenital Heart Defect Through the First Year", 11th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 01, 2013.

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F. "Parents' Mental Health and Motivation to Manage Care After Pre- or Postnatal Diagnosis of Infant Heart Defect", 11th International Family Nursing Association Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 01, 2013.

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F. "Considering what is Best for Baby: A Collective Case Study of Women's Prenatal Internal Working Models for Breastfeeding", 37th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 01, 2013.

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F. "Preparing Heart and Mind Following Prenatal Diagnosis of Complex Congenital Heart Defect", 36th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, April 01, 2012.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Pridham, K. F. "When an Infant is Hospitalized with a Heart Defect: Being the Parent", "Bringing Science to Life: A Healthier Tomorrow," National Institute of Nursing Research 25th Anniversary Concluding Symposium, District of Columbia, October 01, 2011.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Pridham, K. F. "Assessing Parent-Infant Relationships in the Context of Medical and Psychological Risks: The Value of Subjective and Objective Data", Society for Research in Child Development Bi-Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. April 01, 2011.

Pridham, K. F., Harrison, T., Krolikowski, M., Mussatto, K., McKechnie, A. C., Brown, R., Frommelt, M. "Feeding Motivations of Parents of an Infant with a Complex Congenital Heart Defect", Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, April 01, 2010.

McKechnie, A. C., Pridham, K. F. "Motivating Forces for Parents Receiving Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Congenital Heart Defect", 33rd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 01, 2009.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Henriques, J. B. "Maternal Variables Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Mothers", International Lactation Consultant Association/European Lactation Consultant Association Joint Conference, Vienna, Austria. October 01, 2008.

McKechnie, A. C., Tluczek, A., Henriques, J. B. "Maternal Variables Influencing Duration of Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Mothers", 32nd Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, March 01, 2007.

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 - 2022

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 - 2022

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