Ford, Debra J. 1
EDUCATION______
Degree Discipline Institution Year
Ph.D. Communication Studies University of Kansas 1999
M.A. Communication Studies University of Nebraska-Omaha 1990
B.A. Communication University of Nebraska-Omaha 1985
Honors Program Graduate
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE______
Rank/Position Department Institution Year
Research Asst. Professor School of Nursing Univ. of KS School of Nursing 2006-Present
Courtesy Professor Communication Studies University of KS Comm. Studies 2015-Present
Research Asst. Professor School of Medicine Univ. of KS School of Medicine 2008-Present
Dept: Health Policy & Management (Joint Appointment)
Lecturer Communication Studies University of Kansas 2001, 2004, 2008, 2010 & 2013-2015
Basic Course Director Communication Studies University of Kansas 2003-2006
Assistant Professor Communication Studies Creighton University 1999-2003
Asst. Basic Course
Director Communication Studies University of Kansas 1996-1997
Grad. Teaching Assistant Communication Studies University of Kansas 1995-1997
Grad. Teaching Assistant Communication University of Nebraska-Omaha 1985-1986
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE______
Program Director, Leadership Major, Graduate Programs University of Kansas School of Nursing
2009-Present
· Coordinate course offerings, program requirements, and faculty and student needs in organizational leadership, nursing informatics, clinical research management and public health nursing MS and DNP specializations.
Graduate Advising Specialist, University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2014-Present
· Serve as project manager to offer advising information to approximately 400 MS, DNP and PhD students through website development, regular online advising sessions, and individual advising appointments.
Associate Dean, Student Affairs University of Kansas School of Nursing 1/2012-9/2013
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, University of Kansas School of Nursing 8/2006-1/2012
· Collaborate with associate and assistant deans in the School of Nursing in strategic planning, policy development, annual budgeting and fiscal monitoring, developing and implementing new initiatives, reviewing and revising admission requirements and evaluating quality of all missions for the school.
· Provide leadership for all activities in the Student Affairs Office.
· Develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive recruitment plan for all nursing programs.
· Coordinate development and implementation of online application processes for all SoN programs.
· Recruit and manage admission process for doctoral students, as well as all programs when needed.
Basic Course Director Communication Studies University of Kansas 2003-2006
· Coordinated an average of 85 sections per year of public speaking, including development of course objectives, administration of course policies, plagiarism policy implementation, exemption exam, and textbook selection.
· Supervised approximately 24 GTAs and 2 assistant directors, including orientation, coaching and performance evaluation.
· Oversaw approximately $250,000 in credit hour generation for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Graduate Recruiter/ School of Nursing University of Kansas 1997-1999
RN Advisor Office of Student Affairs
· Developed, implemented and evaluated recruitment plan, including marketing, interviewing prospective students, academic advising, follow-up and assistance through the graduate admission process, including web-based programs.
· Coordinated student services programs for students in web-based programs, including admissions, financial aid, academic advising and enrollment.
Advisor/Recruiter School of Nursing University of Kansas 1989-1994
· Increased number of applications to program by 87% through recruitment activities; average accepted student GPA increased from 3.01 to 3.5.
· Developed, implemented and evaluated recruitment plan, including marketing, interviewing prospective students, academic advising, follow-up and assistance through the college admission process.
· Managed enrollment for 300 students per year, including academic advising, registration, coordination with faculty and administrators, student retention and degree audits.
College Field Representative Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health 1986-1988
· Tripled enrollment of freshman class through recruiting activities.
· Represented Methodist to diverse individuals and groups during college fairs, high school visits, agency staff meetings, office visits and hospital inservice sessions.
· Coordinated the design and implementation of a performance appraisal system for college faculty.
HONORS & AWARDS______
Best Research Poster Presentation: 2014 Nursing Research Council Symposium, University of Kansas Hospital
(Peltzer, Ford, Shen, & Teel)
Outstanding Service Award, Central States Communication Association, 2013 Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, for Local Arrangements Chair
Top Paper, Organizational & Professional Communication Division, Central States Communication Association,
2007 Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN (Bisel, Ford & Keyton)
Top Paper, Interpersonal Communication Division, Central States Communication Association, 2007 Annual
Conference, Minneapolis, MN (Koesten, Schrodt & Ford)
Donn W. Parson Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award, Communication Studies 2006
University of Kansas
Twice-nominated for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence
Creighton University’s highest award for teaching 2002, 2003
Touchstone Award Winner (with co-authors E. Kirby & L. Harter), Communication Teacher 2001
Omicron Delta Kappa, leadership honorary 1985
GRANT WRITING______
2014 OGR Faculty Research Grant $2000
Co-PI with L. Manos to support Language, Power & Identity Project to conduct focus groups;
July, 2014-December, 2015.
2013 Nurse Faculty Loan Program $17,832
Dept. of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration Role: PI
Competitive grant to provide loan funds to graduate nursing students planning careers as nurse faculty.
2013 Nurse Educator Service Program $32,000
Kansas Board of Regents Role: PI
Competitive grant to provide loan funds to graduate nursing students planning nurse faculty careers in
Kansas.
2007 Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (SuRROuND Program) $201,000
U. S. Dept. of Education Role: PI
Competitive grant to provide fellowships to underrepresented nursing students to pursue the terminal degree in nursing. Supported two students in PhD program through degree completion.
2000 Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska $4000
Summer Faculty Research Grant
Competitive grant to conduct a case study of the Health Insurance Association of America’s strategies
during the Health Security Act Debate. Project presented to faculty in fall 2000.
2000 Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska $500
Faculty Development Research Grant
Competitive grant to support research project comparing medical student experiences with computerized interactive patients and standardized patients. Final paper published in Communication Quarterly under Harter, L., & Kirby, E. (2001).
1994 U.S. Public Health Service, Division of Nursing Approved, but not funded.
Nursing Opportunities for Disadvantaged Students Grant
University of Kansas School of Nursing
PI: Rita Clifford, RN, Ph.D.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE____(U=Undergraduate; G=Graduate; C=Co-teach)______
Subject Institution Year
Theoretical Fdtns for Leading & Communication in Orgs. G U of KS School of Nursing 2010-Present
Applied Organizational Communication G U of Kansas 2014
Writing & Speaking for Decision Makers G University of Kansas 1998 & 2015
Teaching with Technology U of KS School of Nursing 2014 & 2015
Nursing & Informatics Technology Applications G, C Us of KS School of Nursing 2013-Present
Organizational Foundations for Leading Change G, C U of KS School of Nursing 2008-2009, &
Present
Organizational Communication & Program Planning G, C U of KS School of Nursing 2007-2009, 2014
Organizational Rhetoric G U of Kansas 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015
Guest Instructor: Health Services Management U of Kansas School of Medicine, HP&M 2007
21st Century Organizational Communication G University of Kansas 2005, 2006
Organizational Communication U University of Kansas 2006
Seminar in Teaching the Basic Course G University of Kansas 2003-2005
Proseminar in Communication Studies G University of Kansas 2004, 05, 08, 10
Introduction to Communication Studies U University of Kansas 2005
Honors Speaker-Audience Communication U University of Kansas 2004
Directed Study G University of Kansas 2003-2006
Organizational Advocacy G University of Kansas 2001, 2004
Organizational Advocacy U University of Kansas 2003, 2004
Independent Study U University of Kansas 2004-2006
Organizational Advocacy U Creighton University 2003
Health Communication U Creighton University 2000-2003
Interviewing U Creighton University 2002
Managerial Communication U Creighton University 1999-2003
Communication Theories U Creighton University 2000-2003
Independent Study U Creighton University 2001; 2003
Freshman Seminar U Creighton University 2001
Effective Business Communication U University of Kansas 1996-1997
Speaker-Audience Communication U University of Kansas 1995
Public Speaking U University of Nebraska at Omaha 1985-1986
Ph.D. Committees (School of Nursing, University of Kansas)
Anderson, Della (Program Committee Member) Present
Boos, Virginia (Program Advisor) 2011-Present
French-Bravo, Matthew (Program Advisor) 2013-Present
Dresser, Susan (Minor Paper Advisor) Present
Hewins Kelly (Program Advisor & Dissertation Committee Member) 2011-Present
Nelson-Bradley, Heather (Dissertation Co-Chair & Program Advisor) 2012-Present
Pabico, Christine (Program Committee Member) Present
Savage, Marian (Program Committee Member) Present
Thompson, Diane (Dissertation Committee Member) 2013-2014
Walters, M. Renee (Dissertation Committee Member) 2013-Present
D.N.P. Committees (School of Nursing, University of Kansas)
Basara, Dana (Program Advisor; Residency Preceptor; Capstone Chair) 2011-Present
Boykins, Alexandra (Program Advisor) 2012-Present
Camp, Kiersten (Capstone Chair; Program Advisor) 2011-Present
Corbett, Kathy (Program Advisor) 2012-Present
Edinger, Caleb (Program Advisor) Present
Ellis, Paula (Capstone Chair) 2011-2012
French, Rebecca (Program Committee Member) Present
Glen, Jennifer (Capstone Chair through Method; Former Program Advisor) 2013-2014
Goodwin, Linda (Program Advisor; withdrawn Aug. 2014) 2013-Present
Guinn, Halie (Capstone Chair; Program Chair) 2010-2013
Henry, Kristina (Capstone Committee Member) 2011
Huff, Deborah (Program Advisor & Capstone Chair) 2011-2014
Herbert, Valerie (Program Advisor) 2010-2014
Hulett, Becky (Capstone Chair) 2014-2015
Imhoff, Daniel (Program Advisor) 2014-Present
Israel, Paula (Capstone Chair; Exam Committee Member) 2011-2012
Janes, Thu (Program Advisor & Capstone Committee Member) 2011-Present
Knoeppel, Cynthia (Program Advisor) Present
Mejia-Johnson, Lydia (Program Advisor) 2010-Present
Julian, Dawn (Capstone Committee Member) 2010
Luger, Shelly (Capstone Chair ) 2014-Present
McGee, Jerrihlyn (Program Advisor; Capstone Member) 2011-2014
Miquelon, Liz (Program Advisor) 2013-Present
Moody, Linda (Program Advisor) 2011-Present
Murray, Lori (Program Advisor & Capstone Chair) 2011-2014
Ohrloff, Denise (Program Advisor) 2013-Present
Pepper, Rachel (Capstone Chair, Exam Co-Chair) 2009-2011
Pietrocola, Marlene (Capstone Chair; Program Advisor) 2011-2014
Pimple, Cathy (Program Advisor) Present
Saim, Sharon (Capstone Chair, Program Advisor) 2011-2013
Stanfill, Teresa (Capstone Chair, Program Advisor) 2014-2015
Tyzckowski, Brenda (Program Advisor & Capstone Chair) 2009-2011
Vail, Lisa (Program Co-advisor; Capstone committee) 2009-2010
Wheeler, Lynette (Program Advisor; Capstone Chair) 2013-Present
Whitney, Cynthia (Capstone committee member) 2013-2015
Withers, Gail (Program Advisor; Committee member) 2009-2012
Young, Christine (Program Advisor) Present
D.N.P. Capstones Chaired & Completed:
Ellis, Paula (2013). The Clinical Nurse Leader as Guide to Decrease Unnecessary Hospital Admissions: A Quality Improvement Project.
Guinn, Halie (2013). Perceptions of Health Culture Among Occupational Health Care Staff.
Huff, Deborah (2014). Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Education Component for Staff Communication in an Assisted Living Facility.
Hulett, Becky. Clinical Nurse Leader Implementation Program.
Israel, Paula (2012). Obstacles and Opportunities for Independent Nurse Practitioner-Owned Clinics in Missouri.
Murray, Lori (2014). Development and Implementation of a Clinical Summary Tool for Improving Patient Centered Communication in Primary Care.
Pepper, Rachel (2011). Exploring the Emotional Care Needs of Hospitalized Patients.
Pietrocola, Marlene (2014). Nurse Executives’ Perceptions of the Barriers & Facilitators Associated with Reaching an 80% Baccalaureate-prepared Nursing Workforce in Rural Kansas.
Saim, Sharon (2013). Exploring the Influence of Generational Communication Preferences on Teamwork Effectiveness.
Stanfill, Teresa (2015). Nursing Leadership Competencies: Identifying Best Practices Through a Metasummary of the Literature.
Tyzckowski, Brenda (2012). The Caring Journey: Staff Development in an Eden Alternative Facility.
Vail, Lisa (2010). Coherent Leadership: A Case Study of Nurse Executive Leadership.
D.N.P. Capstones In Progress, Chair:
Basara, Dana. Feasibility Plan for Advanced Practice Nurse at City Union Mission.
Camp, Kiersten. Evidence Synthesis: Diabetes & Workplace Policy.
Luger, Shelly. Nurse Leadership Residency Program Design.
Wheeler, Lynette. Implementing Advanced Practice Support in an Acute Care Facility.
Ph.D. Committee Member (Communication Studies, University of Kansas)
· Dissertation Co-Chair: Alison Berry (with Dr. Adrianne Kunkel); Chuck Russell (with Dr. Tracy Russo); Alexandra Wages (with Dr. Adrianne Kunkel)
· Dissertation Committee Member (Completed): Attig, Heather; Bisel, Ryan; Blasdel, Tracy; Carver, Leilani; Clune, Katie Fischer; Garner, Benjamin; Guthrie, Jenny; Haugen, Jenna; Helens-Hart, Rose; Kennedy, Pamela; Jones, Ginny; Leonard, Lynnette; Lewis, Jenifer; Lueders, Allyn; Mabachi, Natabhona; Manning, Jimmie; Menzie, Kathie; Messersmith, Amber; O’Toole, Thomas; Peterson, Cindy; Pilgram, Mary; Shim, Cheongmi; Villamil, Astrid; Webb, Nathan
· Dissertation Committee Member Ongoing: Hodgson, Abbie
M.S. Committees (School of Nursing, University of Kansas)
Programs completed: Arthur, Jenny; Barrows, Ann; Boos, Ginny; Broich, Eileen; Brownback, Cher; Bryant, Summer; Burris, Laura; Cairns, Janet; Hardinger, Barbara; Hastings, Mike; Hatch, April; Hulse, Kathy; Huey, Kathy; King-Whitlow, Noelle; Miller, Rebecca; Noller, Tiffany; Pepper, Rachel; Rector, Deborah; Reschke, Alan; Riley, Shari; Rouch, Michelle; Schwartzkopf, Deborah; Smith, Maggie; Smith, Stacy; Thiebault, Jennifer; Thompson, Robin Albrecht; Werner, Anna; Winslow, Patricia
M.S. Research Projects (School of Nursing, University of Kansas)
Arndt, Heather (Su14, with Linda Adams-Wendling)
Brownback, Cher
Cantu, Karen (with Cara Busenhart)
Ireland-Hoffman, Ginger
Huffman, Gayla (Su14)
Ice, Jill (Fall 14)
Kimball, Tim (Fall 14)
Miquelon, Elizabeth (Fall 14)
Sanchez, Cherie (with Mary Meyer)
M.A. Committees (Communication Studies, University of Kansas)
Thesis & Program Chair: Ryan Bisel 2003-2005
Integrating Control and Consent: Unobtrusive Control in a Community Leadership Program
Thesis Chair: Angela Woodard 2004-2005
Second and Third Wave Black Feminism: A Generic Variation Approach
Committee member for M.A. programs completed:
Babbit, Liz; Borhart, Jessi; Cano, Paula; Cook, Stacy; Faimon, Samantha; Hampton, Cheryl; Heyne, Cliff; LaBerge, Justin; Mabachi, Natabhona; Mayekawa, Chet; Melling, Stephen; Mayekawa, Chet; Ohrt, Jennifer Kellie; Pauly, Jessica; Rose, Melanie; Theye, Kirsten; Villamil, Astrid; Weaver, Ryan; Wilinski, John; Wolf, Nan; Zurbuchen, Nancy.
BSN Honors Mentor, School of Nursing:
Ekholm, Erin (2014-2015). Rhetorical analysis & historical analysis of documents for Language, Power & Identity study.
Jantzen, Michelle (2011-2012). Examining Nurse Leader/Manager-Physician Communication Strategies: A Pilot Study. Published in BSN Honors Journal, 2012.
Steinhoff, Andreanna. (2009-2010). An Analysis of the Strategies Used by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to Influence the Development of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Sturgeon, Kendra (2013; In progress.) America’s Health Insurance Plans’ Rhetoric Related to the Affordable Care Act.
Honors Thesis Committees (All at the University of Kansas)
Chair: Holmes, Nicole 2005-2006
Ethical Public Relations Practices of Non-Profit Organizations
Chair: Santoro, William 2004-2005
Paid to be Unethical: An Analysis of Controversial Artists of Today's Music Industry
Committee Member for: Karen Butler, Justin Mackey & Christy Sims-Dale
SCHOLARSHIP______
PUBLICATIONS
Refereed Journal Publications
Peltzer, J., Ford, D. J. , Shen, Q., Fischgrund, A., Teel, C., Jameson, M., & Pierce, J. (2015). Exploring roles, goals, and barriers among Kansas registered nurses: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Nursing Outlook, 63, 117-123.
Tarnow, K., Gamino, M., & Ford, D. (2013). Effects of continuing education: Do attendees implement tools taught? Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44 (9), 391-396.
Ford, D. J., & Hoffman, M. F. (2008). Dancing with those who brought you: Managing internal communication strategies in change initiatives and process improvement efforts. Journal of the American Society for Quality, 34 (4), 17-20.