Patricia Blair

Patricia Blair is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing, affiliated with the Graduate Studies department. Her multidisciplinary expertise spans correctional nursing, gerontology, and health law, with a focus on policy development and health equity in underserved populations.

• PhD in Clinical Sciences from UTMB's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• LLM in Health Law from the University of Houston's Health, Law & Policy Institute
• MSN in Pediatric Nursing from UTMB's School of Nursing
• JD in Law from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Her research bridges nursing practice and legal frameworks in correctional settings, addressing aging populations, cognitive impairment, educational rights for children with disabilities, and hypertension management. She emphasizes health equity, safety protocols, and strategic planning in correctional facilities.

Publications and presentations highlight trends in correctional health care, legal advocacy, and policy standardization. She has contributed to editions of Corrections Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice and explored frameworks for health equity and literacy in correctional environments.

Scientific awards include:

• Margaret M. Collatt Correctional Service Award (2024)
• Rotary Vocational Healthcare Provider of the Year (2024)
• Alice Caroline Brown Award for Research (2021)

Grants such as Improving Health Outcomes in the Correctional Healthcare System (UTMB, 2023) and HELP U-PICS (HRSA, 2022) underscore her commitment to health equity. She actively participates in national taskforces and professional organizations like the American Nurses Association and National Commission on Correctional Health Care.