Sean Michael Reed

Sean Michael Reed serves as Assistant Professor in the Administration department of the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus, where his work bridges palliative care, nursing theory, and clinical practice innovation. His research directly impacts military healthcare, telehealth implementation, and end-of-life care models through rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Reed's research program centers on palliative care acuity tools, nursing theory development (particularly unitary-caring frameworks), and military nursing applications. He investigates social determinants of health through Z-coding systems in clinical practice, telehealth disparities during pandemics, and concept analyses of resonant leadership and existential advocacy. His methodology spans mixed-methods studies, concept analyses, and critical interpretive syntheses with strong emphasis on translating findings to clinical practice.

Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant trajectories: 1) Conceptual refinement of nursing theory (6 articles on leadership models, healing touch, and existential advocacy), 2) Telehealth adaptation during crises (4 studies examining rural/urban disparities and prenatal care), and 3) Palliative care innovation (3 cross-cultural and military-focused studies). Military nursing and social determinants of health emerge as rapidly growing subfields in his recent work.

His accolades include:

• 2025 Chancellor's Teaching Recognition Award, CU Anschutz, Graduate School
• 2024 & 2023 CU Anschutz Alumni Hero, College of Nursing
• 2022 President's Award from National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
• 2022 Nightingale Luminary Award and Global Academy of Holistic Nursing Scholar
• 2021 Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute Fellow

As active researcher, Dr. Reed leads a Fulbright Scholar project adapting palliative care tools in Romania (2025-2026) and co-investigates NIH-funded telehealth studies across rural/urban Colorado communities. His prior NIH postdoctoral fellowship in palliative care training and leadership as past President of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists demonstrate sustained commitment to mentoring next-generation clinicians and shaping health policy through evidence-based practice.