DNP SMART Center Scholars
The SMART Center has developed a DNP SMART Center Scholar Program. In the DNP SMART Center Scholar program students are identified who will do research addressing a self-management topic within their DNP theses or projects and work collaboratively with a SMART Center investigator. Students work together in groups on a selected topic for their thesis or project. The SMART Center Executive Committee will help the DNP SMART Center Scholars constitute their DNP project committee. DNP SMART Center Scholars are encouraged to consider group projects to build concerted areas of science in self-management.
Purpose of the Program
Build concerted areas of science in self-management for chronic illness
Student Expectations
As their final product, at the completion of the program, scholars are expected to produce a publishable manuscript, consistent with program guidelines.
Focus Areas of DNP SMART Center Scholars
We are focusing at this time on factors influencing patient activation among various populations (disease groups: diabetes, heart failure, asthma) or groups with health disparities (low income, minority ethnicity).
To learn more about the DNP SMART Center Scholar Program, contact:
Elizabeth Madigan, RN, PhD, FAAN
Director – Methods and Statistics Core for the SMART Center
elizabeth.madigan@case.edu
Current DNP SMART Center Scholars
Cynthia Rothenberger, MSN, RN, ACNS, BC
Focus: Self-Management Among Adults with Prediabetes or Diabetes
Cynthia joined the DNP SMART Center Scholars Program in 2010. She is presently employed as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania. She is responsible for classroom and clinical education for undergraduate pre-licensure nursing students in a baccalaureate program. Cindy’s prior experience includes roles as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator, and Diabetes Educator.
Cynthia is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau International, Upsilon Zeta Chapter. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Pennsylvania League for Nursing, Area 2.
Cynthia received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Albright College, and master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is certified as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health.
David Smith, MS, RN, ANP-BC, CNN-NP
Focus: Self-efficacy in chronic kidney disease patients as a predictor of successful self-management of home renal replacement therapies (peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis).
David joined the DNP SMART Centers Scholars Program in 2010. He is presently employed as a nephrology nurse practitioner at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, Arizona. He is responsible for management of inpatients for the nephrology consultation service. In addition, he has served as the chair of the Nursing Research Council and is a mentor for the evidence-based practice program. Prior to Scottsdale Healthcare, David worked in clinical research at the National Institutes of Health for the Kidney Disease Section of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
David is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association and is a past president of the Capitol-Washington, D.C. Chapter. He was a member of the committee that developed and authored the original Scope and Standards of Advanced Practice in Nephrology Nursing. He is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Beta Upsilon Chapter.
David obtained his bachelor's degree in nursing at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a master's degree at the University of Maryland. He is a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and is a certified Nephrology Nurse Practitioner.
