Faculty Profile


Tamara L. Zurakowski, PhD, CRNP
Lecturer/Clinical Specialist, School of Nursing and University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Room 2013 NEB
420 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4217
UNITED STATES
tel: (215) 573-6297

Email: zurakows@nursing.upenn.edu

Research Interests: Nursing practice models in acute and long-term care

 

 

Biographical Sketch

Tamara Zurakowski is Lecturer/Clinical Specialist in the Division of Family and Community Health, with over 25 years of experience in gerontological and public health nursing. She is also a gerontological nurse practitioner at Rising Sun Health Center, a neighborhood nursing center based in a public housing complex in northeast Philadelphia. Dr. Zurakowski works with undergraduate and graduate nursing students in community health and gerontology.

Dr. Zurakowski has had funded research on nursing practice models in acute and long-term care, and received a Hartford Foundation/AACN grant to develop an interdisciplinary certificate in gerontology. She is also interested in conceptual models of nursing and their applicability to nursing research and practice. A complete list of Dr. Zurakowski's projects and publications is available in her full curriculum vitae.


Selected Publications

Refereed

Zurakowski, T. L. (In press). Preparing for infinity and beyond: Health promotion for mid- and later-life women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing.

Zurakowski, T. L. (2000). The social environment of nursing homes and the health of elderly residents. Holistic Nursing Practice, 14(4), 1- 13.

Brennan, P., Taft, S.H., Kahana, E., Silvers, J.B., Zurakowski, T.L., Bolek, B., Emmons, H., & Jones, P. (1991). Strengthening hospital nursing: Innovations for the improvement of patient care. Journal of the Society of Health Systems, 3(2), 5 - 21.

Invited

Zurakowski, T. L. (2004, March 8). Grisly but compelling account of war from military nurses [Review of the book And if I perish: Frontline U. S. Army nurses in World War II]. The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Zurakowski, T. L. (2000). Back to the future: Political activism in nursing. The Pennsylvania Nurse, 55(5), 6 - 7.

Zurakowski, T.L., Kahana, E., & Brennan, P.F. (1994). Nursing practice models in long term care. CWRU Pepper Review, (Spring), p. 4.

Zurakowski, T. L. (1991). Rethinking the effects of nursing homes on residents. Center on Aging and Health Newsletter, 10 (4), 9 - 14.

Book Chapters

Zurakowski, T. L. (in press). Chapter 18: Genitourinary and renal systems. In P. A. Tabloski Gerontology: The essential clinical guide. New York: Prentice Hall.

Zurakowski, T. L. (2004). Florence Nightingale: Pioneer in evidence-based practice. In In J.J. Fitzpatrick & A.F. Whall (Eds.) Conceptual models of nursing: Analysis and application (4th ed., pp. 21 - 45). New York: Prentice-Hall.

Reed, P.G. & Zurakowski, T.L. (1996). Florence Nightingale: Foundations of nursing theory, education, research, and practice. In J.J. Fitzpatrick & A.F. Whall (Eds.) Conceptual models of nursing: Analysis and application (3rd ed., p.27 - 54). Norwalk: Appleton - Lange.

Zurakowski, T.L. (1992). Nursing Home Advisory and Research Council. In D. D. van Tassel & J. E. W. Meyers, (Eds.). Aging policy interest groups. New York: Greenwood.

Zurakowski, T. L. (1992). American Federation of Home Health Agencies. In D. D. van Tassel & J. E. W. Meyers, (Eds.). Aging policy interest groups. New York: Greenwood.

Reed, P.G. & Zurakowski, T.L. (1989). Nightingale revisited: A visionary model for nursing. In J.J. Fitzpatrick & A.F. Whall (Eds.). Conceptual models for nursing: Analysis and application (2nd ed., p. 33‑48). Norwalk, CT: Appleton ‑ Lang.

Reed, P.G. & Zurakowksi, T.L. (1983). Florence Nightingale: A visionary model for nursing. In Fitzpatrick, J.J. & Whall, A.F. (Eds.). Conceptual models for nursing: Analysis and application, (p. 11 ‑22). Bowie, MD: R.J. Brady Co.


Presentations

Refereed

Zurakowski, T. L. (2004, February). Taking our show on the road: Gerontology courses in service settings. Paper presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Conference. Richmond, VA.

Mezey, M., Mahoney, D., & Zurakowski, T. (2000, November). Monumental changes: Nursing research and the improvement of patient care. Symposium presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Washington, D.C.

Mezey, M., Mahoney, D. L., & Zurakowski, T. L. (1999, November). Nurses: The bedrock of quality. Symposium presented at the Gerontological Society of America Scientific Sessions. San Francisco, CA.

Zurakowki, T.L., Anthony, M. K., Wyper, M. A., & Brennan, P. F. (1999, April). Identification of nursing practice model attributes using a qualitative methodology. Paper presented at the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Indianapolis, IN.

Mezey, M., Mahoney, D., & Zurakowski, T. L. (1998, November). Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for older adults: Challenges and opportunities for nursing. Symposium presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Philadelphia, PA.

Denis, K.K., Zurakowski, T.L., & Muthig, B.A. (1995, November). Use of the MOSES methodology with persons with dementia in long-term care. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Los Angeles, CA.

Muthig, B.A., Zurakowski, T.L., Mann, A., Hargrove, J., Siarkowski, K., & Hendershott, N. (1994, November). Predictors of health status and health services use among elderly residents of a continuing care retirement community. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Atlanta, GA.

Zurakowski, T.L., Kahana, E., Brennan, P. F., Kercher, K. & Kelly, J.A. (1994, November). Validity and reliability of the Index of Nursing Practice Models. Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Atlanta, GA.

Zurakowski, T.L., Brennan, P.F., & Kahana, E. (1993, November). Nursing practice models in long-term care. Paper presented at the American Nurses' Association, Council of Nurse Researchers Conference. Washington, D.C.

Zurakowski, T.L., Kahana, E., Brennan, P.F., Montoro, J., & Kercher, K. (1993, November). An index of nursing practice models in long-term care. Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America. New Orleans, LA.

Zurakowski, T.L., Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. (1993, April). Coping as a predictor of health outcomes in institutionalized older adults. Paper presented at the North Central Sociology Association. Toledo, OH.

Zurakowski, T.L., Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. ( 1992, November). Coping as a mediator of resident outcomes among institutionalized elderly. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America. Washington, D.C.

Zurakowski, T.L., Brennan, P.F., & Kahana, E. (1991, November). Professional practice models of nursing and care for the hospitalized elderly client. Poster presented at Gerontological Society of America. San Francisco, CA.

Brennan, P., Taft, S., Zurakowski,T., Kahana, E., Silvers, J.B., Emmons, H., & Jones, P. (1991, October). Strengthening hospital nursing: Dimensions of success. Symposium presented at American Nurses' Association, Council of Nurse Researchers' Conference. Los Angeles, CA.

Sheafor, M.M., Zurakowski, T.L., & Luton, M. (1983, December). Pre‑retirement plans and health practices of over‑55faculty and staff at a midwestern university. Presented at the Center on Aging and Health Advisory Board Meeting. Cleveland, OH.

Sheafor, M.M., Haug, M., & Zurakowski, T.L. (1983, September). Self‑care among the elderly: Types and patterns. Presented at poster sessions, Council of Nurse Researchers, Minneapolis, MN.

Fitzpatrick, J.J., Reed, P.G., Donovan, M.J., & Zurakowski, T.L. (1982, April). Programmatic research on suicide. Presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Suicidology, New York, N.Y.

Invited

Zurakowski, T. L. (2002, November). Wide-eyed in long term care land: Trials and successes of taking gerontology courses out to nursing homes. Presented at poster session, Nursing Care of Older Persons Special Interest Group, Gerontology Society of America, Boston, MA.

Zurakowski, T. L. (2001, March). Nurse practitioner practice in an urban setting: Case study. Presented at Urban Health Conference, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA.

Fitzpatrick, J.J., Donovan, M.J., Reed, P.G., & Zurakowski, T.L. (1982, January). Suicide among the aged:Exploring the problem. Presented at Wayne State University College of Nursing Project Report Day, Detroit, MI.

Reed, P.G., Fitzpatrick, J.J., Donovan, M.J., & Zurakowski, T.L. (1982, January). Understandings of life and death as function of respondent and decedent characteristics. Presented at Wayne State University College of Nursing Project Report Day, Detroit, MI.

For the lay public

Zurakowski, T. L. (2003, January). Careers in gerontology. Presented to Health Careers Club, Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia, PA.

Zurakowski, T. L. (Writer), & Caroulis, J. (Writer). (2002, October). Healthy aging [Television series episode]. In J. Caroulis (Producer), Insight. Philadelphia, PA: La Salle University Channel 56.


 

" Being a nurse is the most exciting thing I can imagine. Being a nurse who works with older adults is exciting beyond words. These are the people who have shaped the world we live in through their thoughts, words, and deeds, and have sacrificed much to get us to where we are. Elders are a source of unending wisdom and delight, and bring out the best of my nursing efforts. They challenge me to think a little harder, and to be more creative in practice and research. I can hardly believe that everyone doesn’t want to be a gerontological nurse."

Tamara Zurakowski

 
Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
University of Pennsylvania - School of Nursing - 420 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217

TEL: (215) 573-3296 - FAX: (215) 573-6464
Last updated February 26, 2005