Barbara Bodnarik, PhD, RN

Barbara Bodnarik is a PhD, RN with over 20 years of responsibility in the patient care industry, which included Respiratory Therapy and the responsibility of managing a prominent Burn Center’s Hyperbaric Medicine Unit in Milwaukee, WI. Her research interests focus on contributions that will improve healthcare for older Americans of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. In particular, her focus is on chronic conditions and associated symptoms in older adults who are striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle on a fixed income. In 2016, she was awarded a grant from the University of Cincinnati’s Women in Science & Engineering Research Experience (WISE) program that launched her program of research as an undergraduate student. During her PhD program, Barbara served as a graduate assistant for the University of Cincinnati’s College of Nursing Simulation Lab where she provided student support. She is striving to continue that student support by preparing for the Nurse Educator Certification (CNE). In addition, she became a research project coordinator for Dr. Carolyn Smith’s research focused on teens experiencing domestic violence. She also served as a data collector for a funded project, Telehealth Community Health Assistance Team (T-CHAT) participating in both Phase I & II. The T-CHAT project involved the use of a telepresence robot to promote healthy lifestyles among older adults living in a multi-tier retirement community. Barbara currently serves as an adviser on Anderson Township’s Senior Center Board and plans to continue her research, as an advocate for inclusion and equity for all older adults.