Sara E Hart, PhD, RN portrait
  • Director of Student and Community Engagement, College Of Nursing
  • Professor (Clinical), College Of Nursing
801-587-9094

Research Statement

Health happens in healthy communities, and our professional roles guide us to advocate for the needs of our patients and our communities; transforming health and healthcare at a broader level is fundamental to fulfilling this role. Just as person-centered care is optimized by the concerted efforts of multiple professions, our systems for health can also be improved through collaborative interprofessional engagement. My professional efforts focus on engaging a transformational shift in our approach to education and systems-based practice. This requires both the careful application of evidence and the courage to embrace new approaches. With the goal of ensuring the availability of early, accessible, planned, and coordinated care in our communities, I seek new models of education and practice that have the potential to transform our systems of care and create effective infrastructures for health.   

My scholarship reflects a focus on pedagogical science, including community-engaged learning and academic-community partnerships, student value-added models of education, community-based interprofessional education, arts and humanities in health professions education; public health and health policy approaches to improving the health of individuals and populations; care coordination for family caregivers and individuals with complex health and social needs. 

I seek to create and use evidence in support of teaching excellence and to adapt to the changing needs of learners and learning environments. I have used my expertise to guide the national development of interprofessional education programs in complex care and the use of arts-based pedagogies in health professions education. The work of our complex care interprofessional education program has been profiled in reports and educational products released by the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education and the National Center for the Care of Complex Health and Social Needs. As a Design-Fellow for the inaugural Arts-Based Health Professions Education Fellowship through the Harvard Macy Institute at Harvard School of Medicine, I’ve been able to expand the impact of my work by applying and studying art and museum-based pedagogies to nursing and interprofessional education and practice.  

I lead the Education Pillar of the Family Caregiving Collaborative and the National Consortium for Family Caregiving Competencies in Nursing Education. This work seeks to identify and integrate family caregiving competencies into our nursing courses and curricula. I am a member of the Community Research Collaborative supported by the Office of Vice President for Research. This work involves bringing together researchers, organizers, activists, and community leaders to advance participatory and action-oriented research. Our group of community leaders and University of Utah researchers have developed guidelines for carrying out community-based research that builds equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships. Our final report includes an expanded set of principles and lessons learned from the growth of CBR over the last 15 years. This work is published in a special issue of the Metropolitan Universities Journal, highlighting community and academic health sciences partnerships. 

I have received funding to test new models of community-based interprofessional education from the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (funders: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Josiah H. Macy Foundation, the Betty and Gordon Moore Foundation, and the Hartford Foundation). I have written two major HRSA grant applications, published guidance on implementing elements of the Affordable Care Act into professional nursing practice, and conducted program evaluation for the State of Utah. 

I arrived at the College of Nursing with a background in health systems science and healthcare quality. The impact of my scholarship in these areas continues to grow. My study and manuscript on Hospital Ethical Climates and Nurse Turnover (Hart, 2005) has been cited more than 400 times and continues to serve as a foundational work in this emerging area of research. My postdoctoral research (Hart et al., 2010 & 2006; Gajewski et al., 2007; Boyle et al., 2006) continues advancing the science of nursing quality indicators with over 200 citations. Over the course of my career, my scholarship has maintained a focus on using education to collaboratively advance the health of our patients, our institutions, and the communities we serve. 

 

Research Keywords

  • Systems Thinking
  • Public Policy Systems Analysis
  • Public Health Policy
  • Nursing Education and Pedagogy
  • Medical Ethics
  • Interprofessional Education
  • Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
  • Higher Education
  • Health of Underserved Populations
  • Health Care Policy/Health Care Systems
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy
  • Curriculum Design, Development & Evaluation
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Community Health
  • Arts and Humanities

Presentations

  • An Academic-Community Partnership to Promote Nursing as a Career Among Underrepresented Groups: AACN Diversity Symposium Hart, S and VandenBerge, K. Presentation, Presented, 12/03/2020.
  • Licensed Nurse/Certified Nurse Aide Collaboration in the Care of Nursing Home Residents: Gerontologic Society of America Beynon C., Supiano K, Seigel E, Edelman L, Madden C, Hart SE . Poster, Presented, 11/04/2020.
  • Where are the Caregivers? Seeking Guidance for Nursing Education in the Profession’s Foundational Documents, UC Davis Summit: Innovations in Workforce Education for Family Caregiving. 09/16/20 Hart S, Ellington, L . Presentation, Presented, 09/16/2020.
  • Reviewing Manuscripts Submitted for Publication as a Group: A Service-Learning Approach to Developing Skills in Education Scholarship: AAMC, WGEA Regional Meeting Moore K, Hart SE, Chow C, Cardell E, Richards B An abstract of the presentation was published in the conference compendium. Poster, Other, 04/29/2020.
  • Using Museums & Galleries in Interprofessional Education: skill development, team building, and reflection: AAMC WGEA Meeting. An abstract of the presentation was published in the conference compendium. Poster, Other, 04/29/2020.
  • Benefits & Barriers of Interprofessional Education Beyond the Classroom, AAMC WGEA Regional Meeting. Richards B, Hart S, Hobson WL, Godwin H. This conference canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An abstract of the presentation was published in the conference compendium. Presentation, Other, 04/29/2020.
  • Interprofessional Student Hotspotting Learning Collaborative, National Webinar National Center for Complex Care and Social Needs . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/08/2020.
  • Patients, Participants, and Payers: How Student Hotspotting Provides Value to a Diverse Set of Stakeholders, National Academies of Practice. Hart, SE and Turner, K. This conference canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Presentation, Accepted, 01/31/2020.
  • Using Museums & Galleries in Interprofessional Education: skill development, team building, and reflection. AAMC: Western Group on Medical Education . Poster, Accepted, 12/20/2019.
  • Transforming Primary Care Nursing Roles through Education and Clinical Practice Initiatives: University of Utah NEPQR, WIN . Presentation, Accepted, 11/29/2019.
  • Bridging Practice and Education in Community Based Complex Care Through Interprofessional Student Hotspotting, National Webinar. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/06/2019.
  • Patients, Participants, and Payers: How Student Hotspotting Provides Value to a Diverse Set of Stakeholders, National Academies of Practice . Presentation, Accepted, 10/30/2019.
  • Using Museums & Galleries with Students Participating in Community Engaged Learning: International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement . Poster, Presented, 10/24/2019.
  • Addressing Social Determinants of Health through Community Based Interprofessional Education, Keynote Address at Nexus Summit . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 08/20/2019.
  • Using Museums & Galleries with Interprofessional Education Teams, NEXUS Summit . Poster, Presented, 08/19/2019.
  • Synergizing Academia and Community Partners to Address Complex Care Needs: Local Inspiration, Local Innovation, Nexus Summit . Presentation, Presented, 08/19/2019.
  • Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Research Tea, University of Utah College of Nursing . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/22/2019.
  • Student Hotspotting: Synergizing Academia and Community Partners, Putting Care at the Center, National Center for Complex Care, Chicago, IL. Presentation, Presented, 12/06/2018.
  • Health Systems Science "TedTalk" Style Presentation, Academy of Health Sciences Educators . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/20/2018.
  • Health Systems Science Workshop, Academy of Health Sciences Educators, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 09/20/2018.
  • Hotspotting: An Interprofessional Education Experience in Value-Driven Healthcare, Nexus Summit Minneapolis, MN . Poster, Presented, 07/31/2018.
  • “The Education of Future Health Professionals: Providing Skills to Help Them Lead the Transformation of Health Care”. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 02/20/2018.
  • Student Hotspotting with a Twist: How Diverse Professions and Patient Populations Enhance Learning and Deepen Impact, National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs Beehive. Poster, Presented, 11/15/2017.
  • Value Added Education: Interprofessional Student Hotspotting, Academy of Health Sciences Educators, University of Utah. Presentation, Presented, 09/28/2017.
  • Hotspotting: An Innovative Interprofessional Education Experience in Value-Driven Healthcare, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, co-authors: Turner, K., Farrell, T. & Hart, S.E. Poster, Presented, 07/17/2017.
  • Preparing Nurse Educators and Leaders to Embrace Change and Improve Practice Interest: Practicums/Clinical Experiences American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Master’s Nursing Education, Atlanta, GA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 02/27/2017.
  • Interprofessional Education Hotspotting: A Community-based Approach for Addressing Health and Health Care Utilization American Association of Medical Colleges, Western Group on Education Salt Lake City, UT . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 02/26/2017.
  • Interprofessional Education Hotspotting: A Community-based Approach for Addressing Health and Health Care Utilization, American Association of Medical Colleges, Western Group on Education . Presentation, Presented, 02/25/2017.
  • "Educating Future Health Professionals to Transform Health Care" University of Utah Health Policy and Leadership Seminar . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 02/22/2017.
  • Preparing Nurse Educators and Leaders to Embrace Change and Improve Practice Interest: Practicums/Clinical Experiences, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Master’s Nursing Education . Presentation, Presented, 02/22/2017.
  • The Utah Health and Homes Collaborative: an IPE Program to Address Drivers of Health, Nursing & Health Policy Collaborative National Conference . Poster, Presented, 01/26/2017.
  • The Utah Health and Homes Collaborative: an IPE Program to Address Drivers of Health, Nursing & Health Policy Collaborative National Conference, Coronado, CA. Poster, Presented, 01/17/2017.
  • An Interprofessional Education Model for Systems-based Practice Western Institute of Nursing, Anaheim, CA . Poster, Presented, 04/07/2016.
  • "Educating Future Health Professionals to Transform Health Care" University of Utah Health Policy and Leadership Seminar . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 02/25/2016.
  • Hart, S.E., Hobson-Rohrer, W. & Wilson, R. (2015). Developing an interprofessional education model for systems-based practice: accreditation standards, competencies and opportunities for shared learning. In Harvard Macy Institute (Eds.), Showcasing Scholars’ Innovations at the American Association of Medical Colleges. Baltimore, MD: Harvard Macy Institute. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/17/2015.
  • "Donut Hole: Life if the Medicaid Gap, Screening and Panel Salt Lake City, UT National Student Nurses Association, Univ of Utah No Labels & The Hinckley Institute . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/17/2015.
  • "Systems-based Practice: Definitions, Accreditation Standards and Competencies Across the Health Professions." Harvard Macy Institute for Health Professions Educators; Boston, MA. Poster, Presented, 05/2015.
  • “Social Justice and the Ecological Model of Health: The Foundation of a Multi-specialty DNP Curriculum.” American Public Health Association: New Orleans, LA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/11/2014.
  • “Catching Yourself in a What I Thought I Saw Moment” Utah Nurses Association Centennial. Presentation, Presented, 10/10/2014.
  • “Nuts and Bolts of Health Policy”. Issues in Pediatric Care Conference: Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/03/2014.
  • “Best Practices for Teaching at the Intersection of Health Policy and Vulnerable Populations: Challenges and Successes” Association for Community Health Nursing Educators & the Public Health Nurses . Poster, Presented, 06/2013.
  • “Developing an Engaged Degree Program” 2013 Utah Campus Compact Moab Faculty Development Retreat. Moab, UT. Hollister, T. L., Hart S., Evershed. S., & Kiuhara, D., (2013). Presentation, Presented, 02/08/2013.
  • “Teaching Innovation and Creative Thinking in Nursing”, AACN Baccalaureate Nursing Education Conference. San Antonio, TX, 2012. Co-authors: Doig, A., Agutter, J., Jackson, A. & Hart, S. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 12/2012.
  • University of Utah College of Nursing Seminar Series Presentation: Health Reform a Post Election Analysis. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/09/2012.
  • "An innovative course intersecting vulnerable populations and health policy within a BSN curriculum" Poster presentation during the 140th APHA Annual Meeting (October 27 - October 31, 2012) in San Francisco, CA. Poster, Presented, 10/29/2012.

Languages

  • English, fluent.

Publications

  • Journal of the Academy of Health Science Educators Editorial Board (2022). Need for universal acceptance of preprinting by editors of journals of health professional education. Perspectives in Medical Education. Published, 11/01/2022.
  • Kuttner, P., Antunes, A., Cachelin, A., Fitesemanu, L., Folau, M., Hart, S., & Salcedo, A. (2022). Establishing principles for community-based research: Story & power in the community research collaborative. Metropolitan Universities. Published, 03/01/2022.
  • Allen, J.A, Yack, M., & Hart, S.E. (2022). Community engagement at academic health centers: An introduction to this special issue. Metropolitan Universities. Published, 03/01/2022.
  • Benyon, C. Supiano, K. Siegel, E. Edelman, L. Hart, S. and Madden, C. (2022). Collaboration between licensed nurses and certified nurse aides in the nursing home: a mixed-method study. Research in Gerontological Nursing. Published, 01/01/2022.
  • Cloyes KG, Hart SE, Jones AK & Ellington L (2020). Where are the family caregivers? Finding family caregiver-related content in foundational nursing documents. Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Vol. 36, 76-84. Published, 10/01/2020.
  • Richards BF, Cardell EM, Chow CJ, Moore KB, Moorman KL, O'Connor M & Hart SE (2020). Discovering the Benefits of Group Peer Review of Submitted Manuscripts. Teaching and learning in medicine. Vol. 32, 104-109. Published, 06/01/2020.
  • Cloyes KG, Hart SE, Jones AK & Ellington L (2020). Where are the family caregivers? Finding family caregiver-related content in foundational nursing documents. Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Vol. 36, 76-84. Published, 02/01/2020.
  • Richards BF, Cardell EM, Chow CJ, Moore KB, Moorman KL, O'Connor M & Hart SE (2020). Discovering the Benefits of Group Peer Review of Submitted Manuscripts. Teaching and learning in medicine. Vol. 32, 104-109. Published, 02/01/2020.
  • University of Utah Center for Public Policy & Administration (2015). Needs Assessment Questionnaire & Manual. Developed for the Division of Services for People with Disabilities, Utah Department of Human Services. Report produced as the final product of a state contract for redesign, validation, and reliability testing of a Needs Assessment Tool for qualification of services and waitlist placement. Co-authors: McCormick, S., Chambless, C., Utz, B., Hart, S. & Bergevin, A. Published, 09/01/2015.
  • Luther B & Hart S (2014). What does the Affordable Care Act mean for nursing?. Orthopedic nursing. Vol. 33, 305-9; quiz 310-1. Published, 11/01/2014.
  • Hart S, Bergquist S, Gajewski B & Dunton N (2010). Reliability testing of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators pressure ulcer indicator. The Journal of nursing administration. Vol. 40, S16-25. Published, 09/01/2010.
  • Gajewski BJ, Hart S, Bergquist-Beringer S & Dunton N (2007). Inter-rater reliability of pressure ulcer staging: ordinal probit Bayesian hierarchical model that allows for uncertain rater response. (pp. 4602-18). Vol. 26. Statistics in medicine. Published, 10/01/2007.
  • Boyle DK, Miller PA, Gajewski BJ, Hart SE & Dunton N (2006). Unit type differences in RN workgroup job satisfaction. Western journal of nursing research. Vol. 28, 622-40. Published, 09/01/2006.
  • Hart S, Bergquist S, Gajewski B & Dunton N (2006). Reliability testing of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators pressure ulcer indicator. Journal of nursing care quality. Vol. 21, 256-65. Published, 07/01/2006.
  • Hart SE (2005). Hospital ethical climates and registered nurses' turnover intentions. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing / Sigma Theta Tau. Vol. 37, 173-7. Published, 06/01/2005.