Nursing in Virginia Magazine - Richmond Times-Dispatch

Fall 2009 || Contents/Letter to You | Articles | Past Issues | Index of Advertisers

NIVkudos

VCU Professor Cited For Nursing Research

Dr. Rita H. Pickler, Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University, has received the Award of Excellence in Research from the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

The award, presented at AWHONN's annual convention in San Diego, cited excellence in clinical practice and continued innovation in the delivery of care for women and newborns.

AWHONN presents its Award of Excellence in Research to a member who demonstrates a history of conducting federally funded research, published research in peer-refereed journals, reflects AWHONN's goals and standards in their contributions to women's and newborns' health nursing research and demonstrates clinical applications in research.

Pickler's current research, funded through a grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research, investigates feeding care for preterm infants to reduce hospital stays and prevent developmental delays. Her research has been published in numerous journals, including the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, Advances in Neonatal Care, Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing and Journal of Perinatology.

"Dr. Pickler's research is vital to learning more about preterm infants and providing quality care to this vulnerable population," said AWHONN Executive Director Karen Peddicord. "Her distinguished research improves not only the nursing care, but also the future for preterm infants."

In addition to her VCU post, Pickler serves as the pilot director for the Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research.