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College of Nursing and Allied Health

Maria Connolly, DNSc CCRN APN/CNS FCCM
Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health
University of St. Francis
College of Nursing & Allied Health
mconnolly@stfrancis.edu
(815) 773-7130

EDUCATION

  • D.N.Sc. Rush University; Respiratory / Critical Care
  • M.S.N. Governors State University; Restorative Nursing
  • B.S.N. Governors State University; Nursing
  • BS, University of St. Francis
  • Diploma, St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, Evanston, IL

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Fellow in the College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM)
  • NLN/ Illinois League for Nursing’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Glaxo-AACN National Excellence in Critical Care Education Award
  • Kellogg Doctoral Scholarship Award, Rush University
  • IVAC Research Award, National AACN

LICENSURE

  • Advanced Practice Nurse - Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist - Illinois
  • RN License- IL,WI, IN

CERTIFICATION

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Certification Program in Distance Education
  • Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN), AACN Certification Corporation

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses & Southside Chicago Chapter of AACN
  • American Nurses Association / Illinois Nurses Association / District #20
  • Illinois Council of Nurse Researchers, INA
  • Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nurses
  • American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago ALA/ Nursing Assembly/Chicago
  • Thoracic Society
  • National League for Nursing / Illinois League for Nursing
  • Midwest Nursing Research Society
  • Respiratory Nursing Society/ founding member
  • Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society,
  • Society for Critical Care Medicine
  • University Professors of Illinois /American Association of University Professors

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

  • Illinois Board of Higher Education Faculty Advisory Committee (IBHE FAC) member;
  • Past National Board of Director, AACN (world’s largest nursing specialty organization)
  • Board of Director, American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago(ALAMC)

SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & CONSULTATION

  • Editorial Board: AACN Clinical Issues Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care
  • Reviewer: Heart & Lung; American Journal of Critical Care;
  • FDA- Food and Drug Administration: Center for Evaluation & Research (FDA-CDER)
  • Anesthetic & Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee (ALSAC), member
  • Consultant for workgroup of the nursing diagnosis for Impaired Verbal Communication. NANDA

SERVICE AND TRAINING GRANTS

  • M.Connolly (PI). Masters' of Science in Nursing Trainneeship Grant. Dept.of Health & Human Services (HRSA) submitted.
  • M.Connolly (PI). Intergenerational BSN Program: Focus Older Adult. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HRSA)submitted.
  • M. Connolly (PI) & E.Jacobs (Co-PI). Advanced Nursing Practice: Oncology Entrepreneur Clinical Nurse Specialist. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HRSA). Submitted 12/3/01 Approved.
  • M.Connolly & M. Gulanick. Reducing the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Obesity in the State of Illinois: An Educational Program for Nurses in Rural Areas; Illinois Community Technology Fund.
  • M.Connolly, AMERITECH Partnerships Award for Independent Colleges, submitted to Develop a Web-based College Course entitled "Electronic Communications in Nursing" for minority nursing students.
  • M. Connolly, Awarded $20,000 for Continuing Education for Advanced Practice Nurses via Distance Learning from the Academic Opportunities Fund Committee of Loyola University Chicago.

RESEARCH

  • Awarded $500 for external consultant for Communication Study. Center for Nursing Research, Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola
  • Awarded $800 for Statistician for Communication Study, Alpha Beta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International.
  • Awarded $800 for research assistant stipend Study, NLN/Illinois League for Nursing Faculty Research.
  • Principal Investigator,"Communicating with Ventilator Patients Using a Gestural System," Palmer Endowment Foundation, Loyola University Chicago, $1585.
  • N. Spector & M. Connolly (co-investigator), "Precipitating Factors in Lung Transplant Rejection: A Retrospective Study." Palmer Endowment Foundation. Loyola University Chicago, $5000.
  • "Temporarily Nonvocal Trauma Patients and Their Gestures: A Descriptive Study", Rush University Chicago, Kellogg Grant, $20,000.

RESEARCH ORAL PRESENTATIONS/POSTERS

  • Connolly, M. Development of an Instrument to Measure Advanced Practice Nursing Students' Attitudes toward Interactive Compressed Videocourses w/ Adjunct Web-Based Activities. Midwest Nursing Research Society. Chicago, Poster presentation (regional).
  • Connolly, M. & Keating, P. Videotaped Gestures: Measured Success in Communicating with Nonvocal Ventilator Patients. Society of Critical Care Medicine. San Diego, Poster presentation (National).
  • Connolly, M. & Keating, P. "Gestures: A communication method for nonvocal ventilator-dependent critically ill patients" Midwest Nursing Research Society, Cleveland, Ohio, Poster presentation (regional).
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine poster
  • MNRS Exploring Nursing Research: Urban Health Issues Proceedings Book poster
  • Proceedings of the ALA/ATS International Conference Poster
  • Nursing Research Poster
  • Proceedings of the 19th Annual National Teaching Institute of AACN Poster
  • Sigma Theta Tau Research Conference Oral Presentation RNS Educational Conference Proceedings Oral Presentation.
  • Heart and Lung: The Journal of Critical Care, Oral Presentation.

BOOK CHAPTERS

  • Connolly, M. (2003). Chapter 28: Obstructive Pulmonary Disease invited authorship for Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirksen. Medical-surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. 6th Edition. In Press.
  • Connolly, M. (1997). Chapter 3: Plan of Care for Critically Ill Patients and Families-Communication; Chapter 6: Airway and Ventilatory Management; and Chapter 13: Respiratory System- Chest X-rays; In Chulay,M.,Guzzetta,C.,& Dossey, B. Handbook of Critical Care Nursing. Connecticut: Appleton & Lange.
  • Connolly, M. (1993). "Nonvocal Treatments for Short & Long Term Ventilator Patients, Part I." In Chapter VI, Clinical Speech Pathology for the Tracheostomized and Ventilator Dependent Patients. California: Voicing Publishing, Inc. p.289-309.

ARTICLES

  • Spector, N. & Connolly, MA. (2003). Dyspnea Module Research-based Practice Protocols on Symptom Management, In Chulay, M. [Editor]; Series Editor: Carlson, K. AACN Protocols for Practice: Common Management Issues in the Care of the Acutely Ill Patient (In Press).
  • Connolly, M. (2001).Guest Editor for AACN Clinical Issues: Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care. Twelve respiratory nursing evidence-based manuscripts reviewed and edited for publication. May: 12(2).
  • Connolly MA. Preface. [Journal Article. Guest Editorial] AACN Clinical Issues: Advanced Practice in Acute & Critical Care, 12(2):175-7, 2001 May.(2 ref)
  • Connolly, M. (2001). "Black, White and Shades of Gray: Common Chest X-ray Abnormalities- CE " AACN Clinical Issues: Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care. May: 12(2): 259-269; 330-2 (17 ref).
  • Connolly, M. (2001). "Chest X-rays - Completing the Picture-CE" RN Magazine. June: 64((6): 56-62.
  • Connolly, M. (1999). "Post Dural Puncture Headache (PDPH)" Clinical Snapshot, American Journal of Nursing. November, 99(11): 48-49.
  • Schedel, E., & Connolly, M.(1999). "Lung Volume Reduction Surgery: New Hope for Emphysema Patients" Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. Jan.-Feb., 18(1):28-34.
  • Connolly, M. (1998) "What Nurses Do To Stay Healthy", Endnote article for Critical Care Nurse. October, 18(5): 104.
  • Marinier, M., Rodts, M., & Connolly, M.(1997). "SCIWORA: Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality". Orthopaedic Nursing. Sept.-Oct.16(5):57-63.
  • Connolly, M., Gulanick, M.,Keough, V., & Holm, K.(1997). "Health Practices of Critical Care Nurses: Are These Nurses Good Role Models for Patients?" American Journal of Critical Care. California: InnoVisions Communications, July: 6(4)261-266.
  • Calderon, P., & Connolly, M.(1997). "Laryngospasm and Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema",
    Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. April:12(2) 89-94.
  • Boss, BJ., de Carvalho, EC, & Connolly, MA. (1997). "Impaired Verbal Communication". IN: Classification of Nursing Diagnoses: proceedings of the twelfth conference, North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (Rantz MJ et.al.).
  • Spector, N., Connolly, M., Garrity,E.,& Lung Transplant Team/Loyola University Chicago. (1996). "Lung Transplant Rejection: Obliterative Bronchiolitis" American Journal of Critical Care. California: InnoVisions Communications, September: 5(5)366-372.
  • Connolly, M. (1995). "Mucolytics and the Critically Ill Patient: Help or Hindrance?" AACN Clinical Issues: Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care. May: 6(2) 307-315.
  • Connolly, M. (1995) "The Best Ways To Communicate with Ventilator Dependent Patients" Consultation Corner. Perspectives in Respiratory Nursing. Skokie: RNS Publishing: 6(4):7-9.
  • Connolly, M., & Shekleton, M.(1991). "Communicating With Ventilator Dependent Patients", Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 10(2), p.115-122.
  • Connolly, M.(1991). "Nurse Educators' Role in the Social Integration of Nursing Students in External Networks," CHART. 88(2), p.5-6.
  • Connolly, M. (1991). "Working Well with Other Healthcare Professionals", The Nursing Spectrum. 4(24)) December 2: p. 20-21.

MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
Instructional Video

  • Connolly, M. "Issues in Critical Care Nursing: Communicating through Gestures"
    18 min. 1/2" VHS Videotape, Center for Instructional Design (LUCID).
    Loyola University Chicago.
  • Connolly, M. "Chest X-ray Interpretation for the Nurse Practitioner" 120 min. ½" VHS Videotape, prepared by University of Illinois Media Support Services for use by the College of Nursing.

Audiotapes

  • Connolly, M. "Chest X-rays and Breath Sounds: Tying These Together" AACN & National Network, Inc. Cassette from NTI.
  • Connolly, M. "Electronic Discussions in the Classroom" AACN & National Nursing Network, Inc. Cassette #115.
  • Connolly, M. Mee, C., & Tryniszewski, C. "Pursuing Your Dreams in Publishing" AACN & National Network, Inc. Cassette #34-60.
  • Connolly, M. "Critical Care Graduate Programs: What's Right For You?" AACN & National Nursing Network, Inc., Cassette #152-51.
  • Connolly, M., Brenner, Z. "Optimizing Education for the Critical Care Nurse: Doing More With Less" AACN & National Network, Inc. Cassette # 161-51.
  • Connolly, M., Davis, S. "How To Host a Teleconference: Tips for Successful Programs" AACN & National Network, Inc. Cassette #180-67.

ABSTRACTS

  • Connolly, M. & Keating, P. (2000). "Gestures: A Communication Method for Nonvocal Ventilator-dependent Critically Ill Patients". Alpha Beta, STT Research Symposium Proceedings Book.
  • Fildes, E, Cienkus, R., Connolly, M., & Berlin, B. (1997). "Integrating a Stages of Change Model Based Smoking Cessation Counseling in Routine Patient Care". Journal of Addictive Diseases. 16(4): 121.
  • Spector, N., Connolly, M., Li S., Garrity, E., Montoya,A., & Hussain, A. (1996). The Incidence & Mortality Rate of Chronic Rejection in Lung Transplant Patients", American Journal of Critical Care. 5(3): 246.
  • Connolly, M. (1993). "Temporarily Nonvocal Trauma Patients and Their Gestures: A Descriptive Study," In Lloyd, L., Koul, R., & Arvidson, H. ISAAC Governance and Related
    Activities: AAC Master's & Doctoral Theses. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Vol. 9, Sept., p.196-224.
  • King, D. & Connolly, M. (1987). "Precipitating Factors of Self-Extubation By Patients In A Surgical Intensive Care Unit", Heart and Lung: The Journal of Critical Care, 16(3), p.326.
  • Connolly, M. (1992). Temporarily Nonvocal Trauma Patients and Their Gestures: A Descriptive Study" Rush University, Chicago, University Dissertation Abstracts International.

NEWSLETTERS/NEWSPAPERS

  • Connolly, M. (2001). Electronic Communications in Nursing for Minority Nursing Students. Niehoff School of Nursing, Annual Report 2001, p. 6.
  • Connolly, M. (2000). Informational Technology's Impact on Nursing Education at Loyola. Niehoff School of Nursing, Annual Report 2000, p. 6.
  • Connolly, M. (2000). "Pig’s Feet and Eggplants Assist APNs in Learning to Suture and Insert Invasive Lines" CNR Newsletter, Relative to Research, Fall.
  • Connolly, M. (1999). "Continuing Education Program for Advanced Practice Nurses Via Distance Learning", CNR Newsletter, Relative to Research, (10) 1:8.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Senior Service Center of Will County, Board of Director
  • School of Nursing International Belize Trip w/ students to work in clinics throughout Corazal and Orange County.
  • Community Health Clinic (Free Clinic)- Volunteer Clinic Nurse Chicago, IL
  • ALAMC, Chicago Distance Classic (5K, 10K, & 20K) Race; RN Volunteer
  • ALAMC, Asthma Camp, Wisconsin; RN Volunteer & Intake RN
  • ALAMC, Hustle Up the Hancock; RN Volunteer

PRENTATIONS - INTERNATIONAL

  • Basic CXR, Becoming Partners thru Distance Learning, and Advanced Practice Nursing in the USA. 5th International Symposium on Nursing the Critical Care Patient, Hospital Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • AACN East Meets West Study Tour of Hong Kong. AACN/Loyola SON College Credit GNUR 469/325 Course Director, China.
  • Health Professions Dialogue Group- Panel Presenter, Dialogue Conference: The Principles of Life Long Learning. Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University, Mt. Abu, India.

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