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July 2, 2012

ULM nursing faculty receives novice researcher award

University of Louisiana at Monroe faculty member Debra Craighead, Ph.D., R.N., was awarded the 2012 Novice Researcher Award.

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses presented her with the prestigious award at the AWHONN annual convention in Washington, DC.

She teaches pediatric nursing, testing skills and nursing research at ULM.

The Novice Researcher Award assists new researchers in beginning areas of study, investigating clinical issues or launching a pilot study.

AWHONN presented a $2,400 research grant to Craighead to further her study titled, “Early term infant care: Hospital utilization and feeding practices.”

Using AWHONN’s Conceptual Model for Late Preterm Infant Care, Craighead's study will describe current care practices used to promote health outcomes for the early term infant during the early postpartum period. 

“AWHONN is dedicated to improving the care of women and newborns through research," said AWHONN’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Peddicord, Ph.D., R.N.

"Dr. Craighead's research examines the important issue of preterm birth and the health outcomes for this vulnerable population of newborns.”

Craighead received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University in Shreveport.

She earned a Ph.D. in nursing from The University of Texas at Tyler and has devoted her 29-year nursing career to maternal child health nursing with an emphasis in neonatal nursing.

About AWHONN
The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care.

AWHONN's 24,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants.

AWHONN holds the distinction of twice receiving the Premier Program award by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for innovation and excellence in Continuing Nursing Education (CNE).

Founded in 1969 as the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the association became a separate nonprofit organization called the Association of Women's Health and Neonatal Nurses in 1993.

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