معرفی
Eleanor S. McConnell, PhD, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC, is an Associate Professor in the Duke University School of Nursing, Director of the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Education (CoE-GNE), and Lead Faculty for the gerontology specialties in the MSN Program. She holds a joint appointment as Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Scientist at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) of the Durham VA Medical Center and is a Senior Fellow at the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.
Education & Training:
- PhD in Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
- MSN, Duke University School of Nursing
- BSN, Duke University School of Nursing
- Professional Certifications: GCNS, BC – Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontological Nursing
Research Interests:
Dr. McConnell’s scholarship is anchored in understanding and preventing functional decline in frail older adults, with a focused lens on those living with cognitive impairment. Her work explores three inter-related themes: (1) frailty as a dynamic risk state, (2) the physical environment as a modifiable determinant of functional performance, and (3) implementation science strategies to embed evidence-based practices into real-world geriatric care settings. Methodologically, she employs mixed-methods, community-engaged co-design, and pragmatic trials to move discoveries rapidly into practice.
Publication Trends:
Between 2024-2025, her 15 most recent articles cluster around four converging areas: (a) culturally tailored, technology-enabled cognitive training for minority elders; (b) person-centered dementia care in low-resource long-term care facilities; (c) diabetes distress and self-management among Veterans; and (d) postoperative and transitional care innovations for older adults with hip fracture, heart failure, or obstructive sleep apnea. These works collectively advance evidence for non-pharmacologic, team-based, and technology-supported interventions to improve outcomes in highly vulnerable geriatric populations.
Scientific Awards & Honors:
- Fulbright Specialists Grant (Public & Global Health) – partnership with University of the West Indies-Mona School of Nursing
Grants & Advising:
Dr. McConnell’s portfolio includes federal, foundation, and international grants supporting intervention development, pragmatic trials, and workforce development in geriatric nursing. She mentors MSN, DNP, and PhD students across Duke, serves as Fulbright Senior Specialist in Jamaica, and provides national consultation on geriatric advanced practice nursing curricula.
Labs, Centers & Teams:
She directs the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Education (CoE-GNE), co-leads projects within the Durham VA GRECC, and collaborates with transdisciplinary teams spanning the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke School of Medicine, and international partners. These infrastructures enable her to integrate education, research, and clinical practice missions seamlessly.
