Suzanne Smeltzer, EdD, RN
Professor; Director of the Office of Nursing Research | M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing | Villanova University
Villanova, PA, UNITED STATES
Dr. Smeltzer, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN is committed to improving care for individuals with disabilities.
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Areas of Expertise (5)
Nursing Education
Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations
Nursing Research
Disability Advocacy
Healthcare for the Disabled
Biography
An internationally known scholar, researcher, educator and author, Dr. Smeltzer has directed the College of Nursing's Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities Project, funded by a grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. Committed to making health promotion practices and services accessible and acceptable for those who are physically and cognitively challenged, she has done extensive research on and can discuss health issues of people with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities, how to improve the health and wellness of those with disabilities, and how to integrate disability content into the education and training of health care professionals.
In 2018, Dr. Smeltzer was named inaugural holder of The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professorship in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.
Education (3)
University of Pennsylvania: EdD
Texas Women's University: MS
St. Louis University: BSN
Select Accomplishments (5)
Dr. Suzanne C. Smeltzer named inaugural holder of The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professorship in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations (professional)
2018 An internationally known advocate for health care access and quality care people with disabilities, Suzanne C. Smeltzer, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, has been named inaugural holder of The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professorship in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, where she is professor and director of the Office of Nursing Research and Evaluation.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Nurse.com/Gannett Foundation Lectureship Award for Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Nursing Education
2016 AACN recognized Dr. Smeltzer for her work over more than twenty years to address the health issues of people with disabilities through education, research, and advocacy. She has brought attention to the need for health care professions, including the nursing profession and nursing faculty, to prepare their graduates to provide high quality and sensitive care to people with disability.
Inducted as a Fellow into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education (professional)
2015 The induction recognizes Dr. Smeltzer's scholarly work on behalf of people with disabilities. Fellows provide leadership in nursing education and in the Academy of Nursing Education, and support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education. Fellows serve as important role models and resources for new educators and for those who aspire to become nurse educators.
St. Louis University Alumni Merit Award
2011 Award presented to Dr. Smeltzer for her dedication to and scholarly work on behalf of people with disabilities.
Villanova University Investigator Award (professional)
2006
Links (1)
Select Media Appearances (2)
Caring for Patients with Disabilities
Health Professional Radio
2017-12-19
Segment Overview: Professor Suzanne Smeltzer talks about advocating for improved care for people with disabilities and Villanova’s partnership with the National League for Nursing (NLN) to launch an online educational program designed to provide nurse educators with the tools they need.
As airlines try to monetize seat assignments, are disabled passengers being left behind?
Washington Post online
2017-04-20
There’s a lot at stake. Suzanne Smeltzer, director of the Center for Nursing Research at Villanova University’s College of Nursing and an expert on disabilities and health care, says that being required to pay extra for a preferred seat assignment may make travel too expensive for many people with disabilities. “Their ability to reserve their preferred seats without having fees added to the cost of their airfare may make the difference between them being able to fly safely and comfortably or not being able to fly at all,” she says.
Research Grants (4)
Reaching Hard-to-Reach Groups: Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
Research Grant
Inglis Foundation Innovation Award of 2006
Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities Project
Unrestricted Grant to Recognize Work
Developing Curricula on Abuse Affecting Women with Disabilities for Women with Disabilities and Health Care Providers
New Jersey Health Initiatives/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Research Grant Authored for NJ Coalition on Women with Disabilities and the NJ Division on Disabilities
Pilot Study: Expiratory Muscle Training in Multiple Sclerosis
National MS Society
Research Grant Principal Investigator
Select Academic Articles (5)
Labor, delivery, and anesthesia experiences of women with physical disability
Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care
Suzanne C. Smeltzer, Amy J. Wint, Jeffrey L. Ecker, Lisa I. Iezzoni
2017
Palliative care simulations in undergraduate nursing education: An integrative review
Clinical Simulation in Nursing
Suzanne C. Smeltzer
2017
Family attitudes and reactions toward pregnancy among women with physical disabilities
Women's Health Issues
Suzanne C. Smeltzer, et al.
2017
Perinatal experiences of women with physical disabilities and their recommendations for clinicians
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing
Suzanne C.Smeltzer, et al.
2016
Pregnancy among women with physical disabilities: Unmet needs and recommendations on navigating pregnancy
Disability and Health Journal
Suzanne C. Smeltzer, et al.
2016