Skip to main content

Part of UT Health San Antonio

Profiles - UT Health San AntonioProfiles - UT Health Science Center San Antonio

Part of UT Health San Antonio

Menu
  • Home

You are here

  • Profiles Home
  • Faculty Directory
  • Cantu, PhD, RN, Adelita Gonzales
Adelita Cantu

Contact

210-567-5834

cantua2@uthscsa.edu

Programs

  • Ph.D. in Nursing Science

Adelita Cantu, PhD, RN

Associate Professor

I am a nationally recognized doctoral prepared expert, specializing in public/community health nursing and clinical nursing research. I was promoted to Associate Professor on tenure-track in September 2015. My current application is for consideration of tenure at UTHSCSA. This narrative provides details of my excellence in teaching and service, specifically addressing the impact and outcomes of my national accomplishments at the university, the community, professional and national levels. Based on the UTHSCSA guidelines for tenure, I am confident that I have the requisite accomplishments to meet the criteria as published. My program of science in teaching, service and research has been focused on building healthy communities through the enhancement of public and community health grounded in the Socio-Ecological Model as a framework to prevent disease and promote health and wellbeing at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention. Through my teaching, research, and service, I have impacted health in communities, neighborhoods, and families.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2016 - Internship - Population Health (None) - The Climate Reality Project
    • 2008 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Multidisciplinary Clinical Research - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
    • 2006 - Clinical Fellowship - Cultural Competency (Attended a year-long fellowship program designed to develop leaders in cultural competency in health care.) - Health, Research and Educational Trust
    • 2006 - Doctor in Philosophy - Clinical Nursing Research - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
    • 1985 - Master of Science - Community Nursing Administration - Texas Women's University
    • 1977 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing - Incarnate Word College

    Highlights

    Licensure and Certifications 

    • Registered Nurse

    Honors and Certifications

    • 2019, Charlotte Brody Award
    • 2019, Innovations in Education Award
    • 2016, Academy of Master Teachers
    • 2016, Presidential Teaching Excellence Award

    Appointments

    • Present - Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019 - 2021 - Medical Dental Staff - University Health System, Rehab Medicine, San Antonio
    • 2016 - Associate Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • Instruction & Training

    • 2020, NURS 7111 Advanced Nursing” Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 7511 Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4217 Pop-Focused Health: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4317 Pop-Focused Health: Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4227 Pop-Focused Health: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4327 Pop-Focused Health: Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 7312 DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 7313 DNP Practice Inquiry: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4217 Pop-Focused Health: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2020, NURS 4317 Pop-Focused Health: Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019 , OCCT 7020 Teaching and Leadership in OT, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 6250 Advanced Health Promotion, Health Protection, & Disease Prevention, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURE 7115 Application of Research in Nursing (Practicum), UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 3275 Psyc & Mntl Hlth Nurs: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 7511 Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 4217 Pop-Focused Health: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019 , NURS 4317 Pop-Focused Health: Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019 , NURS 7312 DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 4217 Pop-Focused Health: Clinical, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2019, NURS 4317 Pop-Focused Health: Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • Research & Grants

    Grants

    Currently Funded: 

    • 2018 - 2022, Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration/163694, $2,583,704.00. Title: ACORN: Advancing Community-Oriented Registered Nurses. Role: Co-Investigator 
    • 2017 - 2022, Funder: Colgate. Title: Global Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future/Colgate-Palmolive. Role: Co-Investigator 
    • 2016 - 2021, Funder: National Institute of Nursing Research/ GRANT11925781, $2,389,447.00. Title: Healthy Frio. Role: Co-Investigator 

    Pending Submissions: 

    • 2020 - 2021, Funder: Institute of Integration of Medical Sciences, $47,580.00. Title: Virtual GO! Arts: Remote Community-Based Professionally Taught Art Classes Delivered to Low Income Minority Older Adults. Role: Principal Investigator 

    Submitted and Not Funded or Unfunded Research/Projects: 

    • 2018 - 2018, Funder: Methodist Healthcare Ministries, $50,000.00. Title: External Evaluator for a Community-Based Nursing Program. Role: Principal Investigator 
    • 2014 - 2017, Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Title: PU2B2S: Preparing Undeclared Undergraduates in Bio-Behavioral Sciences. Role: Principal Investigator 

    Completed Research/Projects: 

    • 2019 - 2020, Funder: UT Health San Antonio, $4,000.00. Title: Trifecta: When Social Determinants of Health, Interprofessional Education and School Based Prevention Program Meet. Role: Co-Investigator 
    • 2018 - 2019, Funder: Private Trust, $30,000.00.Title: Program Evaluation of Ignite Solutions. Role: Principal Investigator 
    • 2016 - 2018, Funder: Aetna Foundation, $99,999.12. Title: Cultivating Citizen Scientists to Co-Create Healthy Communities. Role: Principal Investigator 
    • 2016 - 2018, Funder: Aetna. Title: Youth Air Quality Leadership Academy.
  • Service

    School

    Student Mentees/Trainees

    • 2019 - 2019 SUNRISE Mentor, Undergraduate Student Supervision, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing. Mentoring Jacob Carmichael, an undergraduate nursing student who is a SUNRISE Research Scholar. This summer he is working with the ADA Project Power Camp, doing the data entry and analysis. This program is a week long camp for Hispanic youth that are at risk for type 2 diabetes. 
    • 2018 - 2018 Masters of Public Health Supervisor, The George Washington University. School of Public Health. I supervised the MPH internship for Ernest Ybarra from GWU. He worked on my program evaluation project for Ignite. 
    • 2017 - 2017 Ronald E. McNair Research Mentor, Undergraduate Student Supervision, UT Health San Antonio. I will mentor a pre nursing student from Trinity University enrolled int he McNair Research Scholar Program. 

    Institutional

    • 2019 - Present, UT Health SA, School of Nursing Holistic Admissions Reviewer 
    • 2016 - Present, UT Health SA IIMS Pilot Project Study Section (P2S2), Member  
    • 2015 - Present, UT Health SA Grant Reviewer for the IIMS Community Pilot Project Reviewer  
    • 2013 - Present, UT Health SA, School of Nursing Frontera de Salud, Faculty Representative  
    • 2012 - Present, UT Health SA, School of Nursing Juntos Podemos Leadership Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee Member  
    • 2011 - Present, UT Health SA Scholarship Advisory Group and Reviewer, Advisory Committee Member
    • 2011 - Present, UT Health SA, School of Nursing Hispanic Latin Faculty Association, Board of Directors 
    • 2009 - Present, UTHSCSA One Community One Book Planning Committee, Faculty  
    • 2008 - Present, UTHSCSA Community Service Learning Conference, Program Committee 
    • 2008 - Present, UTHSCSA Center for Medical Humanities and  Ethics Community Service Learning  Mini-Grants, Internal Reviewer 
    • 2003 - Present, UT Health SA Latin/Hispanic Faculty Association, Officer

    Service to the Profession

    • 2018 - Present, Manuscript Reviewer  Global Journal of Health Science and Nursing 
    • 2015 - Present, Manuscript Reviewer Public Health Nursing Journal Manuscript reviewer for Public Health Nursing Journal 
    • 2015 - Present, Board Member International Association of Latino Nurse Faculty 
    • 2008 - Present, Reviewer McMaster PLUS/PIER/EB Journals Manuscript reviewer for evidence based practice journals. 
    • 2008 - Present, Developer Muevete (Move) USA 
    • 2019 - 2021, Mentor SON Faculty  UTHSCSA 
    • 2020 - 2020, Manuscript Reviewer American Nurse Today 
    • 2019 - 2020, Mentor ANHE Environmental Health Nurse Fellowship Program 
    • 2020, Manuscript chapter reviewer 10th edition of Rector, C. Community and Public Health Nursing 

    Professional Affiliations

    • 2010 - Present, UTHSCSA Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Member 
    • 2010 - Present, Texas Nurses Association, Member 
    • 2007 - Present, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Member 
    • 2003 - Present, Western Institute of Nursing, Member 
    • 1985 - Present, American Nurses Association, Member 

     

     

    Community

    • 2017 - Present, Manuscript Reviewer International Journal of First Aid Educations 
    • 2012 - Present, Board Member Ella Austin Community Center 
    • 2011 - Present, Board Member Bihl Haus Art Gallery 
    • 2010 - Present, Chair Healthy Futures of Texas 
    • 2009 - Present, Member Prosumer Mujeres 
    • 2009 - Present, Panel Member Breast Cancer Screening Task Force 
    • 2008 - Present, Participant H-E-Body Adventure: The Full Body Experience 
    • 2008 - Present, Member Healthy Futures Alliance 
    • 2006 - Present, Member Future Nurses Board 
    • 2006 - Present, Pre Nursing Advisor HRSA grant, Avanzar 
    • 2006 - Present, Member San Antonio Health Literacy Initiative 
    • 2004 - Present, Member Leadership Council 
    • 2003 - Present, Member Center for Health Care Services Adult Mental Health Planning Advisory Board 

     

  • Publications

      Peer-reviewed Articles (*indicates data-based) 

      • Salt P, Sickora D, Page D, Martinez M, Cantu P, Schwab P, Lee P. “We Didn’t Forget”: Utilizing a Community-Nurse Partnership to Promote Health in Rockport Texas After Hurricane Harvey Public Health Nursing 2020 Jan 
      • Rios, Janelle Ramsey, Steve Raun, Loren Montemayor, Lisa Miller, Aubrey Cantu, Adelita. Improving Hurricane Harvey Disaster Research Response Through Academic-Practice Partnerships American Journal of Public Health 2019 May 
      • Bridges, BS, Karina. Camp PowerUp: An Evaluation of An American Diabetes Association Program To Target Children At Risk For Developing Type-2 Diabetes International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders 2018 May;4(1):1-5. 
      • White CL, Cantu A, Motz D, Patterson Michele, Caron JL, Birnbaum LA. Opportunities and Challenges in Secondary Stroke Prevention: A Mixed Methods Study Disability and Rehabilitation 2018 May 
      • Cantu, PhD, RN AG. Visualizing Environmental Injustice in Rockport, Texas 2018 Apr. Available from: http://climateforhealth.org/blog/visualizing-environmental-climate-injustice-rockport-texas 
      • Cantu AG, Fleuriet, K. Jill. Making the Ordinary More Extraordinary:” Exploring Creativity as a Health Promotion Practice Among Older Adults in a Community-Based Professionally-Taught Arts Program Journal of Holistic Nursing 2017 Mar. 

      Non-Peer-reviewed Articles (i. e. editorials, news articles, etc.) 

      • Cantu AG. Sociocultural Context of Physical Activity in Older Mexican American Women: A Life History Approach 2006. 

      Abstracts 

      • Cantu, PhD, RN AG. Impacting Practice: Using a Poverty Simulation to Develop Leadership Skills in Baccalaureate Nursing Students. 2017 Jul. 
      • Morris RM, White CL, Cantu AG, Trevino M. Interventions for Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: An Update of the Literature 2014. p. AWP299. (Stroke; vol. 45).

      Invited Podium Presentations (i. e. keynotes presentations)  

      • 2020, Health Related Impacts of Climate Change, 9th Annual Peace and Conflict Studies Symposium, Austin Community College, Austin, TX (Panel)  
      • 2019, Public Health Implication of Zika Virus, Reception to Launch Zika Virus Exhibit, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)  
      • 2019, Youth Engagement in Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures Affinity Session, Healthy Places by Design, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)  
      • 2019, The Social, Economic and Health Care Costs of Poor Air Quality & EJ Strategies Moving Forward, Sierra Club Monthly Meeting, Sierra Club, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker)

      Peer Reviewed Podium Presentations  

      • 2020, Trifecta: When Social Determinants of Health, Interprofessional Education and School Based Prevention Program Meet, 2020 Innovations Conference, Ken Shine UT Austin, Austin, TX (Co-Presenter)  
      • 2019, The Connection Between Health and the Environment, Leon Creek Town Hall, Southwest Workers Union, San Antonio, TX (Panel)  
      • 2019, Holistic Admission in Nursing: An Initiative to Increase Nursing Workforce Diversity, Nuts and Bolts for Nurse Educators: NEXT GEN LEARNING: From Critical Thinking to Clinical Judgment to NLCEX® and Beyond, NurseTim, Minneapolis, MN (Co-Author)  
      • 2019, Climate Change Champion and Youth Engagement, ANHE Nursing Summit, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Nashville, TN (Panel)  
      • 2019, Cafe Conversations: Climate Action Steps at Home/Outside of Work, ANHE Nursing Summit, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Nashville, TN (Panel)  
      • 2019, Trifecta: When Social Determinants of Health, IPE, & School-Based Prevention Meet, 6th Annual Cultural Inclusion Institute Conference, Office of Faculty Excellence, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX (Co-Presenter)  
      • 2019, Nursing in a Changing Climate: A Call to Action, Webinar, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, San Antonio, TX (Co-Presenter)  
map image

UT Health San Antonio

7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229

210-567-7000

We make lives better ©

We're a part of UT Health San Antonio, provider of comprehensive health,  dental, &  cancer care,  advanced academics,  and  life-saving research.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.