معرفی
Dr. Michele Balas is the Associate Dean for Research and Dorothy Hodges Olson Distinguished Professor of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. She holds a BA in Psychology (1992), BS in Nursing (1992) from Wilkes University, and MSN (1997), PhD (2005), and post-doctoral training from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. As an implementation scientist and registered nurse, her research focuses on improving outcomes for critically ill older adults through interprofessional interventions targeting geriatric syndromes like delirium, pain, and functional decline.
Her research interests span gerontology, critical care, implementation science, and symptom management. She leads federally funded projects including the $6.5M NIH-funded BEST-ICU study to enhance adoption of the ABCDEF bundle in ICUs. Dr. Balas has contributed to national guidelines as Co-Chair of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s PADIS guidelines and serves on NIH review panels.
Her publications emphasize ICU quality improvement, delirium management, and evidence-based interventions. Recent work explores barriers to extubation, pediatric early mobility sustainability, and complementary therapies in critical care. Awards include the 2023 UNMC Scientist Laureate and multiple SCCM Congress honors. She mentors through leadership roles in the American Academy of Nursing and champions interprofessional collaboration to transform critical care practices.
