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Sarah Thompson, Ph.D. |
NOTE: This profile is part of a series highlighting the 26 researchers who were named UNMC Distinguished Scientists or New Investigators for 2007. Each of these researchers will be profiled in UNMC Today leading up to a March 20 ceremony to recognize their achievements.
- Name: Sarah Thompson, Ph.D.
- Title: Professor and associate dean for academic programs in the College of Nursing
- Joined UNMC: 2006
- Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Briefly describe your research in laymen terms.
I am investigating how nursing home organizational attributes such as staffing levels, staff communication and knowledge of palliative care practices influence the care that is delivered from the perspective of recently bereaved family members.
What led you to pursue this area of research?
As a nurse, witnessing first hand the suffering of dying patients and their family members.
How do you see your research contributing to science?
I see it helping us understand problems in health care delivery from an organizational systems perspective.
Why did you become a scientist?
To make a difference in the delivery of health care to patients and to contribute to the science of nursing.
What is your hope for the next generation of scientists?
I hope that scientists will continue to move from the “bench to the bedside,” applying what we learn to improving health care delivery. I hope that we will work in interprofessional teams to build on our disciplinary specific contributions to create a synergy that influences patient care.
Beyond grant funding, how do you measure success?
What students accomplish after they graduate. Witnessing organizations such as nursing homes actually implement changes based on research findings.
What would you tell a student interested in a research career?
It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the care patients receive.
Do you have a hero/role model? If so, what do you admire most about them?
Selecting one person as a hero or role model would not do justice to the many people who have influenced my life.
Tell us about your family and hobbies outside of the lab.
I have a husband, Tom, two daughters, two step-sons and two schnauzers. I enjoy yoga, bike riding and jogging. My husband and I like to hike in Colorado.
List three things few people know about you.
- My paternal grandfather settled Oklahoma in the land rush.
- I am an avid enthusiast of college football and basketball.
- I have an eclectic taste in music.