Kim Litwack

Dr. Kim Litwack is a tenured Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she has served since 2004. Previously, she held faculty positions at Grand Valley State University (2000-2004), the University of New Mexico (1992-2000), and Rush University (1984-1992). Her clinical expertise spans critical care, peri-anesthesia nursing, ambulatory care, and pain management across diverse patient populations.

Her educational background includes:

• Family Nurse Practitioner, University of New Mexico
• PhD in Educational Administration, Kent State University
• MSN in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
• Counseling Certification, Kent State University
• BA in Psychology, University of Michigan

Dr. Litwack's research focuses on pain management across the lifespan, particularly in military trauma and chronic conditions like heart failure. She investigates self-management strategies, perianesthesia care innovations, and evidence-based nursing practice. Her work bridges clinical care, education, and policy, with significant contributions to nursing textbooks on pathophysiology and pain.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2009-2022) reveals consistent emphasis on pain mechanisms, clinical competence development, and nursing education innovation. Her work spans acute care (military trauma, perioperative settings), chronic disease management (heart failure), and systemic issues (workarounds, flexible degree programs), reflecting interdisciplinary integration of physiology, psychology, and healthcare systems.

Her extensive honors include:

• The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty (2015)
• UW-Milwaukee Teaching Award (2008)
• Multiple Faculty Practice Awards (2006)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (1996)
• ASPAN Outstanding Achievement Award (1999)
• Eight-time Outstanding Undergraduate Nursing Faculty recognition

While specific doctoral advisees aren't documented, her leadership in nursing education is evident through curriculum development for the UWM Flexible Option BSN program and international presentations on perianesthesia care. She has secured recognition through the Stryker Scholarship and collaborated with organizations like Medtronic on pain management initiatives.

Dr. Litwack actively engages with community systems through Wisconsin's CEMS program and has presented globally in Denmark, China, Ireland, and Canada on pain assessment, triage, and perianesthesia management, demonstrating commitment to knowledge translation across international healthcare contexts.