Elizabeth A. Schlenk

Dr. Elizabeth A. Schlenk is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Clinical Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, specializing in the Health & Community Systems department. With over 30 years of experience in research, grant funding, and interdisciplinary investigative teams, she focuses on behavioral science to promote healthy lifestyle behavior changes and adherence to treatment regimens in adults with chronic disorders, particularly older adults with conditions like osteoarthritis and hypertension.

Dr. Schlenk earned her PhD in Nursing following a Master's degree focused on adult health, establishing her foundation in gerontology and chronic disease management. Her scholarly work centers on physical activity promotion, treatment adherence, mHealth technology applications, quality improvement, rheumatology, and cardiovascular risk management. She has pioneered self-efficacy-based interventions incorporating innovative technologies including smartphone e-diaries, electronic accelerometers, and digital pedometers for outcome assessment and intervention support.

Her recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on chronic disease management in geriatric populations, spanning rheumatology, cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and medication adherence. A notable trend is her increasing collaboration with international researchers, particularly from Korea, adapting measurement tools for different cultural contexts while maintaining methodological rigor through psychometric validation studies and research quality guidelines.

• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)

As a Senior Mentoring Faculty and Internal Advisory Board member on the School of Nursing training grant (T32 NR008857), Dr. Schlenk has guided numerous junior researchers. Her principal investigator roles include a clinical trial (R01 NR010904) for adults with osteoarthritis and hypertension, and a self-efficacy based physical activity intervention pilot (K01 NR008121). She has secured over $3 million in grant funding throughout her career.

Dr. Schlenk serves as Associate Director of the Aging and Gerontological Nursing Research Hub and as site principal investigator for the Teaching Nursing Home Collaborative funded by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. Her interdisciplinary research teams include physicians, statisticians, and technology specialists developing evidence-based interventions for chronic disease management across diverse populations.