Martha Abshire Saylor

Martha Abshire Saylor is an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, with clinical expertise in cardiac and critical care. She is affiliated with several research centers at Johns Hopkins, including the JHU Center for Equity in Aging, the Center for Cardiovascular & Chronic Care, and the Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care.

Her research focuses on psychosocial aspects of advanced illness, particularly in advanced heart failure, with emphasis on caregiver support, shared decision making, and patient-reported outcomes. She develops and evaluates strengths-based and advance care planning interventions for older adults and families, including those affected by dementia. Her methodological strengths lie in mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to study complex, multi-component interventions.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on heart failure, palliative care, caregiver dynamics, and patient-centered outcomes. Her work bridges clinical nursing, community engagement, and translational research, often involving patient-caregiver dyads and underserved populations. Themes include fatigue, home care environments, ethical research practices, and innovative educational tools like telenovelas in hospice settings.

Scientific Awards:

• Martha N. Hill Early Career Investigator Award, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, AHA (2021)
• Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2020)
• Isabel Hampton Robb Faculty Fellowship (2019)
• Maryland Higher Education Commission, New Nurse Faculty Fellowship, $20,000 (2017)
• Nursing Research Award, 2nd place, and Travel Award, HFSA (2016)
• Margaret Tyson Scholarship, Nurses Educational Funds (2015-2016)
• President, Doctoral Student Organization, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (2014-2015)

Dr. Abshire Saylor has been involved in mentoring and leadership, evidenced by her role as President of the Doctoral Student Organization. She has secured competitive fellowships and research funding, including a $20,000 grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Her work is supported by interdisciplinary collaborations and community advisory councils, reflecting a strong commitment to equitable and impactful research. She has also contributed to improving the ethical review process for DNP projects, enhancing research training pipelines.

She is actively involved in research teams and centers focused on aging, cardiovascular health, and integrated care. Her lab or research team is not explicitly named, but her work is conducted through collaborations with the Center for Equity in Aging, the Center for Cardiovascular & Chronic Care, and the Roger C. Lipitz Center, suggesting a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to chronic illness and end-of-life care.