Photo of Fitz, Sarah M.

Sarah M. Fitz, DNP

Associate Department Head, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science

Specialty Director: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program

Clinical Assistant Professor

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Contact

Building & Room:

760 NURS

Address:

845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612

Office Phone:

(312) 996-4299

About

Sarah Fitz obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at UIC College of Nursing.  She is an adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with experience in advanced lung disease, pulmonary transplant, and hospital medicine.  Her doctoral work centered around quality improvement initiatives to improve the hospital discharge process and prevent readmissions among lung transplant recipients.  Areas of interest include diversity, equity, and inclusion, quality improvement, educational research with a focus on simulation, and acute care.

 

Selected Grants

Site PI for HRSA grant subaward, Erie Advancing Practice Fellowship, Fellowship Academic Coordinator

Selected Publications

Fink, A.M., Martha, S.R., Calik, M.W., Maffucci, J., Fitz, S.M., Lockwood, M.B., Quinn, L., Vanderzwan, K.J., Fritschi, C., Schwind, J., Schlaeger, J.M., Vuckovic, K.M. (2023). Understanding the autonomic nervous system: A how-to guide for designing engaging pathophysiology and pharmacology courses for nursing students. Nursing Forum. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2397564

Matthews, A. K., Fitz, S., Wendler, C., Lisea, K., Vincent, C., & Kavukattu, T. (2023). Developing a mission statement to reflect the diversity, equity, and inclusion values and priorities of a College of Nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 48, 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.05.010

Fitz, S. M., & Burt, L. (2023). Preclinical simulation integrated into a nurse practitioner disease management course: Student perceptions and learning outcomes. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(8), 461–467. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000872

Bomben, M. E., Hansen, R. N., & Fitz, S. M. (2023). Transitions of Patient Care: A Standardized Tool for Provider Handoff. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104544

Fitz, S. M., Sparbel, K. J. H., Rosenberger, K. D., & Corbridge, S. J. (2020). Fostering professionalism in doctor of nursing practice students. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(5), 56-62.

Fitz, S.M., Diegel-Vacek, L., Mahoney, E. (2020) Implementing an evidence-based discharge bundle for lung transplant recipients. Progress in Transplantation. 30(3):281-285.

Fitz, S., Burt, L., Amusina, O., & Corbridge, S. (2022). Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. In K. Gawlik (Ed.), Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation: An Evidence-Based Approach for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants. Springer.

Amusina, O., Fitz, S., Burt, L., & Corbridge, S. (2022). Pleural Fluid Analysis. In K. Gawlik (Ed.), Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation: An Evidence-Based Approach for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants. Springer.

Fitz, S., Burt, L., Amusina, O., & Corbridge, S. (2022). Respiratory Pathogen Panel. In K. Gawlik (Ed.), Laboratory Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation: An Evidence-Based Approach for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants. Springer.

Fitz, S.M., Burt, L. (2023).  Contributor, Implementation Tool Kit: The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Domain 2 – Person-centered care. American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington D.C. Available at:  https://www.aacnnursing.org/AACN-Essentials/Implementation-Tool-Kit.

Professional Leadership

Chair, UIC College of Nursing Equity and Inclusion Committee

Notable Honors

2022, Barbara Berger Award for Excellence in Teaching, UIC College of Nursing Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science

2018, DAISY Award for Excellence in Nursing Education, The DAISY Foundation

Education

2008 Master of Science in Nursing, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
2019 Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing

Licensures and Certifications

APRN - Illinois

RN - Illinois

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification

 

Professional Memberships

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties

Sigma Theta Tau

Selected Presentations

2021 Academy for Professionalism in Health Care Conference, Enhancing Professionalism and Interpersonal Trust in the Health Professions in a Time of Crisis (Virtual podium)

2020 Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference: Implementing an Evidence-Based Discharge Bundle for Lung Transplant Patients (Virtual poster)

2019 Helene Fuld Evidence-Based Practice Summit: Implementing an Evidence-Based Discharge Bundle for Lung Transplant Patients (Podium)

 

Research Currently in Progress

Oral Care and Nonventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (Evidence-Based Practice Initiative)