Faculty Sketch
Mary Jo Gilmer, PhD, MBA, CNL
Professor of NursingDirector, Clinical Management Program
Co-Director, Pediatric Palliative Care Research Team
maryjo.gilmer@vanderbilt.edu
Current Research Interests
Dr. Mary Jo Gilmer earned her PhD in nursing at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Prior to that, she worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatric Cardiovascular surgery and received a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship to pursue her MBA at Queens University. Dr. Gilmer has received numerous awards for her research and teaching expertise and has been a leader in several international health care projects in Belize, Uganda, China, Italy and Ecuador. She has recently focused on enhancing care of children with life-threatening conditions through establishment of a core palliative care service at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Dr. Gilmer is an active participant in the AACN Clinical Nurse Leader project. Research interests include parent-sibling bereavement and parent-child communication about childhood cancer.
Cancer kills more children than any other disease, but the impact of a child's death on families is understudied. Bereaved families may be at risk for numerous psychosocial difficulties, which can persist for years. Others may experience new competencies and personal growth (e.g., maturity, compassion) after the initial grieving period. A variety of risk and resistance factors (e.g., age, coping skills, social support) may affect outcomes, but little is known about what ameliorates difficulties and what promotes resilience. A primary problem has been a lack of well-designed research on the topic. The long-term goal of Dr. Gilmer's area of research is to reduce the suffering and morbidity of families affected by cancer and the loss of a child through controlled, longitudinal research on the psychosocial outcomes of these families. One objective of the research is to differentiate subgroups of siblings and parents in need of assistance and to identify modifiable factors associated with adjustment.
An important initiative in palliative care is to address parental questions and concerns. Little is known about one of the most difficult questions parents ask, "How do I talk with my child about cancer"? Parents turn to healthcare providers for guidance, but little research has addressed this issue and no studies have used direct observation methods of parents and children as they discuss a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. One long-tem goal of this area of research is to facilitate parent-child communication regarding childhood cancer in order to improve management of psychological distress and decision making.
Grants
Parent-Child Communication about Cancer; Role: Co-I; Co-Investigators: Bruce Compas, PhD, PI & Cindy Gerhardt, PhD, Co-I; Funder: NIH; Funding Dates: 7/01/07-06/30/12
Sibling and Parent Bereavement from Childhood Cancer; Role: Site-PI; Co-Investigators: Cindy Gerhardt, PI & Maru Barrera, Site-PI (Toronto); Funder: National Cancer Institute; Funding Dates: 8/01/05-07/31/10
Pediatric Advanced Comfort Team; Role: PI; Co-Investigator: Brian Carter, MD; Funder: Children's Fund; Funding Dates: 7/01/06-06/30/07
Parent-Child Communication about Cancer; Role: Co-PI; Co-Investigator: Bruce Compas, PhD, PI; Funder: Kennedy Center; Funding Dates: 1/01/05-12/31/05
Pediatric Advanced Comfort Team; Role: PI; Funder: Children's Fund; Funding Dates: 7/01/05-06/30/06
Representative Publications
Foster, T. & Gilmer, M.J. (2008) Continuing bonds: A human response. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 14(2), 83-91.
Gilmer, M.J. & Carter, A. (2008). To comfort always. In B. Kennedy, & D. Ruth, (Eds.), Intrapartum Management Modules: A Perinatal Education, 4th Edition. New York, NY: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.
Gilmer, M.J. (2008). Grief and Loss. In Pediatric Oncology Palliative Care Guidelines, Children's Oncology Group and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses.
Gilmer, M.J. (2008). Communication. In Pediatric Oncology Palliative Care Guidelines, Children's Oncology Group and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses.
Caines, K; & Gilmer, M.J. (2006) Beyond "I don't know". (Abstract) Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(2), 159-160.
Koskinen, L., Jokinen, P., Blackburn, D., Gilmer, M.J., & McGill, J. (2005). Learning intercultural competence in a transatlantic nurse education project. Diversity in Social and Health Care, 99-106.
Carter, B., Howenstein, M., Gilmer, M.J., Throop, P., France, D., & Whitlock. J. (2004). Circumstances surrounding deaths of hospitalized children: A retrospective medical record review. Pediatrics, 115(9), 361-366.
Scott, P., Gilmer, M.J., & Johannessen, W. M. (2004). Response to "No Nit" policy: Use of a Nit Rating Scale. Journal of School Health, 74(3), 108-110.
Frader, J., Morgan, D., Levinson, R., Morrow, J., Saroyan, J., Gilmer, MJ., and Carter, B. (2004). Barriers to pediatric palliative care. In B. Carter, M. Solomon, (Eds.), Palliative Care for Infants, Children, and Adolescents: A Practical Handbook. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins Press.
Cook, R., Bess, C., & Gilmer, MJ. (2003). Beginning nursing students' definitions of nursing: An inductive framework of professional identity. Journal of Nursing Education,42(7), 311-317.
Gilmer, M.J., Murley, J. & Kyzer, E. (2003). Evaluation of a computerized testing procedure in coursework for nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education, 42(8), 377-380.
Rasch, R., Norman, L., & Gilmer, MJ. (2003). Developing an International Partnership for Nurse Practitioner Education. Nurse Practitioner World News, 8(4), p. 8.
Gilmer, M.J. Harrell, J., Miles, M. & Hepworth, J. (2003). Youth characteristics and contextual variables influencing physical activity in young adolescents of parents with premature coronary heart disease. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 18(3) 159-168.
Gilmer, M.J. (2002). Pediatric Palliative Care: A family-centered model for critical care. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 14(2), 207-214.
Professional Organizations
| 2007-present | American Cancer Society Review Panel for Master's and Doctoral Fellowships |
| 2006-present | ChiPPS Leadership Council |
| 1993-2001 | Society of Pediatric Nurses |
| Research Committee (1999-2001) | |
| Abstract Reviewer (2001) | |
| Metrolina Chapter (1993-1998) | |
| Charter Member Board of Directors (1996-1998) | |
| Newsletter Chair (1995-1996) | |
| By-Laws Chair (1994) | |
| Co-Chair (1993) | |
| 1998-1999 | American Organization of Nurse Executives |
| 1997-1998 | North Carolina Foundation of Nursing Board of Directors |
| 1970-Pres. | Sigma Theta Tau, International |
| Iota Chapter (1999-present) | |
| Vice-President (1999-2001) | |
| Program Chair (1999-2001) | |
| By-Laws Committee (1999-2001) | |
| Mu Psi Chapter (1991-1999) | |
| Charter Member (1991) | |
| By-Laws Chair (1991-1993) | |
| Eligibility Committee (1991-1992) | |
| Gamma Iota Chapter (1985-1998) | |
| Alpha Psi Chapter (1970-1985) | |
| 2001-Pres. | Tennessee League for Nursing |
| 1994-Pres. | Southern Nursing Research Society |
| Nominating Committee (2000-2001) |