USF Nursing PhD Student is One of First Nationally to be named as a Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholar

University of South Florida College of Nursing BS-PhD student, Marian J. Hardwick, RN, is among the first Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholars named as part of a new a partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation, as part of the Jonas Veterans Healthcare Program (JVHP) that provides scholarships to doctoral nursing students focused on veterans’ “invisible wounds of war” – notably post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Bob Woodruff Foundation-Jonas Nursing Scholars, join a cohort of more than 250 Jonas Nurse Scholars across the country through a program started by the Jonas Center in 2008.

“Marian Hardwick is an astounding USF College of Nursing PhD student and we are proud to have her named a Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholar,” said Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation. “Ms. Hardwick’s research interest in PTSD and sleep dysfunction is closely aligned with the College’s Restore Lives initiative to provide research and education to rehabilitate and restore the lives of veterans, service members and their families.”

Marian J. Hardwick, RN, Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholar

Ms. Hardwick was one of three USF Nursing doctoral students selected as part of the inaugural Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholars in 2012-2014. Hardwick was awarded a total of $10,000 in funding, over two academic years supporting her research focusing on the study of the interrelationship and pathophysiology of comorbid PTSD and sleep dysfunction. Ms. Hardwick’s faculty mentor is Kevin Kip, PhD, FAHA, Associate Professor and Executive Director for the Research Center at USF College of Nursing.

“This is a huge accomplishment towards my doctoral studies,” Hardwick said. “I am honored I was chosen as a recipient.”

According to a Jonas Foundation press release of January 29, 2013, two foundations with extraordinary expertise and passion for members of the U.S. Armed Forces are teaming to address the most profound effects of the U.S.’s engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan – among the most protracted wars in our nation’s history. The fate of veterans has markedly changed due to modern day medicine and technology, as 90 percent of soldiers survive their injuries and return home with unprecedented psychological and physical health issues. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to equip nurses to address the tremendous health challenges that prevent post-9/11 injured service members from thriving once they return to civilian life.

“The rapid growth of the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholars Program underscores the value and necessity of this model. The expansion of this highly successful program to meet the specialized needs of veterans was a natural evolution,” said Donald Jonas. “Partnering with the Bob Woodruff Foundation confirms again that we are on the right track to address a dire need. It is our hope that others will join our cause.”

Jonas Center For Nursing Excellence, funded by Barbara Jonas Family Fund, is an organization that offers advance scholarships focusing on leadership, innovation, and partnerships across the philanthropic, business, policy, and education sectors.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation is the nonprofit dedicated to ensuring injured service members and their families are thriving long after they return home co-founded in 2006 by award winning anchor, Bob Woodruff, and his family, whose own experiences inspired them to help make sure our nation’s heroes have access to the high level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need it.

RESTORE LIVES at USF Nursing  Research and Education to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service members and their Families directly impacts the lives of veterans and service members. RESTORE LIVES at USF continues to develop life enhancing treatments through nursing research, and educate nurses with the knowledge and skills specific to the needs of treating veterans and service members with innovative solutions like conducting research specific to veteran and military health issues, training nursing leaders within military, and educate nurses at all levels in the special needs of the military, veterans and their families.

The story has also been posted on the USF Health news blog. To read it on there click here.