Through the intersection of clinical practice and science, Dr. Marita Titler challenges traditional methods to improve patient care.
September, 2014
“I’m dedicated to the scientific discovery of effective strategies for translating research into practice,” says Marita G. Titler, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) professor and Rhetaugh G. Dumas Endowed Chair.
Dr. Titler’s impact is evident through more than three decades of nursing research, leadership and teaching. 
She is internationally known for her success in promoting the use of evidence by nurses and physicians to improve health care practices and quality of care, primarily for older adults. Her program of research focuses on the contribution of nursing treatments to patient outcomes, as well as testing strategies that promote uptake and use of the latest research findings in practices and communities. Dr. Titler’s practice models are in use throughout the country in numerous health care settings including clinics, military hospitals and large scale health systems. She is the founder and executive director of the National Nursing Practice Network (NNPN), which fosters collaborative learning among 107 healthcare agencies across the U.S.
She is internationally known for her success in promoting the use of evidence by nurses and physicians to improve health care practices and quality of care, primarily for older adults. Her program of research focuses on the contribution of nursing treatments to patient outcomes, as well as testing strategies that promote uptake and use of the latest research findings in practices and communities. Dr. Titler’s practice models are in use throughout the country in numerous health care settings including clinics, military hospitals and large scale health systems. She is the founder and executive director of the National Nursing Practice Network (NNPN), which fosters collaborative learning among 107 healthcare agencies across the U.S.Even from her early research days, Dr. Titler challenged tradition with evidence-based interventions. Her contributions led to changes in practice such as facilitated visiting of family members in adult, pediatric and neonatal critical care settings. Her scientific work also includes improvements to patient safety such as reducing medication errors, and describing the impact of context of care delivery on cost and patient outcomes.
Dr. Titler has received more than $170 million in research funding from organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Among her current research is an NIH and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) study aimed at preventing falls in older adults that can cause injury, health complications and even death. Dr. Titler leads the national patient and stakeholder engagement component of the study.Dr. Titler has been recognized by numerous research and service awards such as the National Institute of Nursing Research President’s award. She was recently selected for Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Iowa for her contributions to research, practice, and healthcare leadership. She also serves as UMSN Associate Dean of Clinical Scholarship and Practice Development and chair of Systems Leadership and Effectiveness Science. This department oversees the school’s newly updated Health Systems, Nursing Leadership, and Effectiveness Science Master’s program, which is educating nursing students for careers in leadership or informatics in a variety of complex organizations to improve health outcomes.
