Denise A Kent, PhD, RN, APRN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Honors College Fellow
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science
Contact
Building & Room:
722 NURS
Address:
845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Email:
CV Link:
About
Dr. Kent is a dedicated nurse researcher who is deeply committed to advancing the field of science through ethical, equitable, and engaging research practices. Her primary research focus revolves around investigating the best methods for returning individual research results to participants. Notably, Dr. Kent is recognized as a subject matter expert for the RECOVER Study, an initiative led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at addressing the challenges posed by long COVID, under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Krishnan MD, PhD, PI of the RECOVER Project at UIC.
Currently, Dr. Kent is the recipient of funding for a two-year pilot study titled "My ILLInet RECOVER Return Of Results (MIRROR)." The primary objective of the MIRROR study is to delve into the preferences and expectations of RECOVER study participants concerning the return of their individual research results. The ultimate goal of this research endeavor is to develop a shared decision-making tool that facilitates collaboration between research participants and researchers, specifically within the context of the NIH RECOVER cohort study.
In addition to her research pursuits, Dr. Kent is deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation of nurses. This commitment is evident through her extensive teaching experience, spanning across undergraduate, graduate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nursing programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Dr. Kent infuses authenticity, transparency, and inclusivity into her teaching methods, whether in a physical classroom or a virtual learning environment. Her innovative teaching practices have even been highlighted in an online publication by the UIC Center for Advancement for Teaching Excellence.
Dr. Kent's dedication extends beyond the classroom. She is actively engaged in initiatives aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within her college. In her role as a Biobehavioral Nursing Science (BNS) department representative, she collaborates on defining departmental priorities aligned with the College of Nursing's strategic plan. Due to her contributions in this area, she has been invited to continue this work as a "Change Leader," tasked with supporting, guiding, and embodying equity and inclusion values within the college community.
Dr. Kent's mission is to inspire her students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to drive positive health outcomes for all individuals. She firmly believes in the notion that leaders are not born but created, and this philosophy underscores her approach to teaching.
Beyond her academic and research commitments, Dr. Kent actively participates in various college committees including: Department Promotion and Tenure Committee, College of Nursing Research Committee and Advisor to Dean as a member of the BNS Department Head Search Committee. Moreover, she contributes to the nursing field by serving on the Research committee for the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Dr. Kent also volunteers her time and expertise at Breakthrough in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, where she assists community members facing food insecurities.
Dr. Kent's passion for nursing shines through in every aspect of her life, be it in her research endeavors, her teaching, or her commitment to serving both her university and the broader community. Dr. Kent is proud to be a member of the UIC community. Dr.Kent's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Northern University in 2000, a Master of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Nursing in 2011, all earned at UIC.
Selected Grants
Executive Leadership ILLInet consortium., My ILLInet RECOVER Return Of Results (MIRROR), Principal Investigator
Selected Publications
Schutlz, C.,Burke, L., and Kent, D.. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Initial Literature regarding COVID-19 Symptoms in Children in the United States Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2023. Link to Pub
Vanderzwan, K., Hiller, A.,Carlucci, M.,Amusina, O.,Ryan, C., Krassa, T., McPherson, S., Tozer, C., Quinn,L., Kent, D. Mentoring Workgroup for Academic Role Transition Among Clinical Track Nursing Faculty, Journal of Nursing Education, 2023. Link to Pub
Ortiz, L. Kent, D., Ricca, P., Carlucci, M., Vanderzwan, K., Zeiher, W., Kilroy, S. Bloom’s Taxonomy: Framing virtual simulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 2022. Link to Pub
Vanderzwan, K., Hiller, A.,Carlucci, M.,Amusina, O.,Ryan, C., Krassa, T., McPherson, S., Tozer, C., Quinn,L., Kent, D. Mentoring Workgroup for Academic Role Transition Among Clinical Track Nursing Faculty, Journal of Nursing Education, 2022. (accepted)
Ortiz, L. Kent, D., Ricca, P., Carlucci, M., Vanderzwan, K., Zeiher, W., Kilroy, S. Bloom’s Taxonomy: Framing virtual simulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 2022. Link to Pub
Kilroy, S. Kent, D., Vanderzwan, K., McPherson, S. Development of a Multisite Nursing Simulation Work Group Focusing on INACSL Standards, Journal of Nursing Education -131R2, Educational Innovation, Vol. 60 No.3, 2021.Link to Pub
Kent, D. A., Fritschi, C., Park, C., & Quinn, L., Young Adults with T1DM: Is Fear a Mediator between Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life? Diabetes, June 2020.Link to Pub
Kent, D.A., & Quinn, L. Factors that Impact Quality of Life in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Educator (Volume 44, Number 6), December 2018.*Link to Pub
MEDIA Coverage
UIC Today- September 15, 2022
Link: UIC Nursing study seeks to improve the return of research results to the participant
UIC College of Nursing Website- September 6, 2022
Link: UIC Nursing Researcher Dr. Kent: Improving how researchers share results with participants
UIC Newsletter- January 2021
Innovations in Online Teaching Link to Pub
Press Release in Practice Update (Diabetes Newsletter)- December 2020
Fear Impacts Quality of Life in Young Adults with Type I Diabetes Link to Pub
Press release in
Endocrine Today (Newsletter)- February 2020
Hypoglycemia fear damages quality of life for young adults with type 1 diabetes Link to Pub
Service to Community
Adult Support Volunteer
BreakThrough-East Garfield Park Community Center
3334 West Carrol Ave
Chicago, IL
Breatkthrough partners with those affected by poverty to build connections, develop skills, and open doors of opportunity. www.breakthrough.org
Professional Leadership
Member, Board of Directors, Med Staff On-Call, LLC. Chicago, IL
Member, Board of Directors, Shiftwise, Inc. Portland, OR
Cofaciliator/Organizer, Mentor Mondays: UIC College of Nursing Student Program
Notable Honors
2012, Entrepreneurial Winning Women-Semi- Finalist, Ernst & Young
2010, Seth Rosen Award, Seth Rosen Family
2000-Present, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Member, Sigma Theta Tau
2021, Barb Berger Award for Teaching Excellence, College of Nursing- BNS Department
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
University of Illinois at Chicago May 2011
Masters in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Illinois at Chicago May 2004
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Northern Illinois University May 2000
Licensures and Certifications
Registered Advance Practice Nurse in Illinois, 2004-Present
Registered Nurse in Illinois, 2000- Present
Professional Memberships
American Organization of Nursing Leaders 2019- Present
Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research 2019-Present
American College of Healthcare Executives 2009- 2014
American Diabetes Association 2009-Present
Midwest Nursing Research Society 2005- Present
Sigma Theta Tau International 2000-Present
Selected Presentations
Kent, D. A ,Patil, C., Calhoun, B., Freedman, M., Fritschi, C., Tintle, N., & Krishnan, J. My ILLInet Recover Return of Results (MIRROR): A pilot study about participant preferences in a longitudinal COVID study. Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research, Chicago, IL, April 25, 2023.
Kent, D. A, Patil, C., Calhoun, E., Tintle, N., Collins, E., Villegas-Downs, M., & Krishnan, J. My ILLInet Recover Return of Results (MIRROR): Needs of Research Participants. Poster and Presentation at National Academy of Nursing Annual Health Policy Conference, Washington DC, October 6, 2023.
Kent, D., & Quinn, L. Young Adults with Type I Diabetes: A Web-based Approach to Support Research. Nursing Research Day. UIC. Chicago, IL March, 2019
Shin, H., Kent, D., Martyn-Nemeth, P., Park, C., and Quinn, L. Quality of Life in Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed T1DM, American Diabetes Association, June 2014.
Kent, D., Berger, B., Collins, E., Gallo, A., Penckofer, S., and Quinn, L. Psychosocial Factors in Young Adults with T1DM. Poster Presentation University of Illinois Diabetes Research Symposium, October 2013.
Kent, D., Berger, B., Collins, E., Gallo, A., Penckofer, S., and Quinn, L. Leveraging Technology in Young Adults with T1DM. Poster Presentation MNRS Annual Meeting, March 2013.
Kent, D., Berger, B., Collins, E., Gallo, A., Penckofer, S., and Quinn, L. Factors that Impact Quality of Life in Young Adults with T1DM. Poster Presentation American Diabetes Association, June 2012.
Research Currently in Progress
Title: My ILLInet RECOVER Return Of research Results (MIRROR): A pilot study about participant preferences
Grant Award: June 9, 2022
Active Dates: September 2022- Present
Funding: ILLInet-PASC RECOVER Executive Leadership
Role: Principal Investigator
Total Cost: $28,558
RECOVER, a research initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks to understand, prevent, and treat PASC, including Long COVID. PASC stands for post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 and is a term scientists are using to study the potential consequences of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. This pilot study aims to describe the preferences and expectations that participants in the RECOVER ILLInet-PASC Hub (ILLInet-PASC) have for Return of Results (ROR). Participant feedback will be used to create a ROR tool for the ILLInet-PASC study that categorizes participant preferences for use during the ROR process. This pilot study will expand the body of evidence related to RORs and produce an adaptable tool to support a scalable ROR process needed in large, multidimensional studies.