Willie M Abel

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Profile

Dr. Abel has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing since 2013. Her research focuses on methods to improve the health status of Blacks who are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease, with a particular focus on Black women with hypertension. She has authored and co-authored publications in nursing and health related journals based on her research. She is a member of local, regional, and national organizations. Dr. Abel served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Nursing Research Society as Director of Membership (2015-2017). She also served as Vice-Chair of the American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Early Career Committee (2014-2016) and as a member on the AHA Program Committee for Scientific Sessions (2015-2017). In addition, she served as a member of the Academy for Research on Community Health, Engagement and Services (ARCHES) directed by Dr. Mark DeHaven, in the College of Health and Human Services. ARCHES is dedicated to improving the health outcomes, social determinants of health, and quality of life in vulnerable communities through health promotion research. Dr. Abel received a five-year (2018-2023) K01 Award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health. Dr. DeHaven, an extensively funded NIH investigator, served as Dr. Abel’s mentor for this career development award. Dr. Abel used the five-year mentored award to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an established chronic disease self-management program and interactive technology-enhanced coaching for Black women with uncontrolled hypertension.

Note: Dr. Abel retired January 1, 2024.

Education

  • BS Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1981
  • MS Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Area of specialization: Nursing Administration and Cardiovascular Nursing), 1983
  • Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2006
  • PhD Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2011

Teaching

  • Nursing Research
  • Health Assessment
  • Adult Health
  • Health Policy and Ethics
  • Issues in Cultural Health
  • Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice

Research Interest

  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Hypertension in Black Women
  • Cardiovascular Risk Factors
  • Medication Adherence
  • Self-Care Management
  • Digital Health Technology/Mobile Health Apps

Awards & Honors

  • National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NSIOD) Teaching Excellence Award, 1995
  • Great 100 Registered Nurses in North Carolina, 2001
  • North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council Educator of the Year, 2005
  • Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future-American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Minority Nursing Faculty Scholar, 2010
  • Program to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Cardiovascular Health-Related Research (PRIDE-CVD) Scholar, 2015-2016
  • Fellow of the American Heart Association, 2016
  • Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Mid-Career Researcher Award, 2018
  • Southern Nursing Research Society D. Jean Wood Nursing Scholarship Award, 2021

Community Involvement

  • Health Fairs and Blood Pressure Screenings, 2005 to present
  • Speaker on Cardiovascular Disease and Blacks, 2007 to present
  • Go Red for Women Presentations, 2010 to present
  • Breast Cancer Education and Screenings, 2013 to present
  • Mission Trip to Haiti to Build Home, 2014

Publications