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"Although nursing and medicine have come far in explaining the biological basis of disease and ill health, the cognitive and psychological influences on health-related behavior are largely unexplained. Individuals' everyday behavioral choices remain the greatest influence on their health and quality of life. The processes that affect behavioral choices need to be thoroughly understood so that investigators can study health problems amenable to intervention. Until then, health care providers will continue expending valuable resources looking for cures and ameliorative treatments for health conditions that could have been readily prevented."

Research Faculty

Susan M. Elek, Ph.D., RN, CPNP

Associate Professor Parent-Child Health Nursing
Institute for Nursing Research

College of Nursing University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210038, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0038
Phone: (513) 558-5224
Fax: (513) 558-2142
Susan.Elek@UC.Edu

EDUCATION

1971, BS, New York State University College, Plattsburgh
1980, MSN, University of Cincinnati
1986, MA, University of Iowa
1990, PhD, University of Iowa

BACKGROUND

Dr. Elek is a Nurse, a Developmental Psychologist, and a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Originally from a small village on the outskirts of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, her family, including husband, daughter, and numerous pets have lived and worked in many areas of the country. Dr. Elek has taught pediatric nursing at the University of Iowa, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Nebraska, and has held numerous nursing service positions, ranging from public health nursing to pediatric intensive care.

TEACHING

She held a research faculty position at the University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing from January 1, 2002 to June 2005, when she became Associate Professor and Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program at the CON, UC. She leads the doctoral professional seminars and has taught graduate courses in research methodology, nursing theory, and advanced pediatric primary care, with special focus on school-age children’s and adolescents’ health. She has served as advisor and chair of numerous student research projects and dissertations.

RESEARCH

Dr. Elek has conducted research in the areas of adolescent decision-making, smokeless tobacco use, and the psychological and physiological changes experienced by men and women during the transition to parenthood. She received funding from the NINR for her study “Fatigue during the transition to Parenthood” (1 R15 NR/ODO4225-01). The results of her research have been presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and have been published in nursing journals. Currently, Dr. Elek is working on a program of research titled “Increasing Activity in Low-income Pregnant Women,” a planned program of research on the effect of physical activity interventions on the pregnancy and postpartum outcomes (including depression and fatigue) of low-income pregnant women.

PUBLICATIONS