M. Danet Lapiz Bluhm, PhD, RN, MSCI, FAAN, ANEF

Professor

Director of International Programs

Currently seeking Ph.D. students

I am a registered nurse of Asia-Pacific heritage with graduate degrees in neuroscience and clinical investigation. Having been raised in the Philippines and educated in different parts of the world, I have observed how stress and trauma transcend social boundaries and affect health. This experience has influenced my program of science, which focuses on the health of vulnerable populations, especially related to stress. I have had a track record research on preclinical models for neuropsychiatric disorders, investigating the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms associated with the effects of stress. At the School of Nursing, I have engaged in translational clinical research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as education-based and community service-based diversity research to improve patient-centered outcomes. Funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) provided opportunities to build capacity and engage Veterans and Filipino-Americans on PCOR, advocacy, and as full partners of research. My main goal is to improve patient outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations.

Professional Background
Education
- 2015 - Master of Science - Clinical Investigation - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- 2001 - Doctor of Philosophy - Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience) - University of Nottingham
- 1994 - Bachelor of Science - Anatomical Sciences (with Honors II) - University of Queensland
- 1993 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing (Cum Laude) - Cebu State College
- 1992 - Bachelor of Science - Science - University of Queensland
Highlights
Licensures and Certifications
- Registered Nurse (TX)
Honors and Awards
- 2023, Elected Secretary of the Univ. of TX Sys. Faculty Advisory Council
- 2023, 2022 PNASA Excel. Award for Comm. & Population Health Nursing
- 2022, San Antonio Indian Nurses Assoc., Exemplary Prof. Pract. in Comm. Leadership
- 2022, Best Community Relevance of Philippine Amer. Chamber of Commerce
- 2022, TNA. 25 Outstanding TX Nurses
Appointments
- 2017 - present - Director of International Programs - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- 2016 - present - Associate Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2012 - present - Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
- 2018 - 2020 - Interim Co-Director and Interim Co-Director of the Biobehavioral Laboratory - University of Texas Health San Antonio
Instruction & Training
- 08/2021 - Present, NURS 3365 Pharmacology (ABSN), UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 6140 Special Population Pharmacology: Applied Psychopharmacology (PMHNP), UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 4217 Population Health Focus – Clinical Applications, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020, NURS 6621 FNP Dx and Mgt of Young Families Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2019 - present, NURS 7303 Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation I, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2018 - 2019, NURS 5339 Leadership- Qual, Safety, Policy, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2016 - present, NURS 3374 Research & Evidence Based Practice, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2013 - 2018, NURS 5307 Using Research for the Practice of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
Research & Grants
Grants

Currently Funded:
- 04/2023 - 03/2024 Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $3,718 Title: Active Shooter and Stop the Bleed Program Training for the Vietnamese Community in South Texas 2023-2024 Role: Faculty Mentor (Thi Thuy Thanh) Grant Detail: This project aims to educate Vietnamese communities in South Texas on active shooter response and how to stop bleeding emergencies.
- 04/2023 - 03/2024 Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $2,710 Title: HEAR: Health Education Advocating for Refugees Role: Faculty Mentor (Sarita Turcotte Trosper) Grant Detail: This project aims to create educational video programs for refugee addressing common health issues.
- 04/2023 - 02/2023 Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $2,470 Title: Asians Be Checked (ABC) for Hep B/C! - Hepatitis Education and Screening Outreach for the Asian American Community in Texas (2023-2024) Role: Faculty Mentor (Dongwoo Du) Grant Detail: This project aims to educate high school students on diabetes prevention and advocacy.
- 09/2022 - 02/2023 Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $2,570 Title: Don’t Sugarcoat Diabetes 2022-2023: Virtual Outreach for Diabetes Prevention among South Texas High School Students Role: Faculty Mentor (Lucas Sebastian Rivas) Grant Detail: This project aims to educate high school students on diabetes prevention and advocacy.
- 07/2021 - 06/2023 Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, $249,995.00 Title: Filipino American Research (FAR) Hub: Nationwide infrastructure to promote PCOR and CER Role: Principal Investigator/Project Leader (20%) Grant Detail: The purpose of this project is to expand the current five “Mag-PCOR Muna Tayo” FA-PCOR nayon network to 10, additional 10 to the existing five (CA, HI, TX, NJ, and NY).
- 2020 - 2022, Funder: Sigma/Jonas Philanthropies. Title: Veteran Community Online Mindfulness Support (Vet-COMS): Feasibility and Acceptability of a Community-based Support Program for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress. Role: Principal Investigator
- 2021 - 2022, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $2,446.00. Title: Hepatitis Education and Screening Outreach for the Asian American Community in South Texas. Role: Faculty Mentor (Trong Phat Do)
- 2021 - 2022, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $1,376.00. Title: Addressing the cardiovascular, diabetes and COVID-19 health risks of South Asians in San Antonio. Role: Faculty Mentor (Merlin Joseph)
- 2019 - 2021, Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, 12850-UTHSC, $249,991.00. Title: Mag-PCOR Muna Tayo: Nationwide Capacity Building for Filipino-Americans to Engage in PCOR and CER. Role: Principal Investigator
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $2,620.00. Title: Community Engagement to Address Healthcare Issues among Vietnamese Americans in South Texas. Role: Faculty Mentor (Mara Althea Cabungcal)
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $564.00. Title: Needs Assessment for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Intervention in South Texas Vietnamese Populations. Role: Faculty Mentor (Amy Shoga and Marie Vu)
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $540.00. Title: Community Needs Assessment of South Asian Americans in South Texas. Role: Faculty Mentor (Megan Rodriguez).
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, $345.00. Title: Don’t Sugarcoat Diabetes 2020-2021: Virtual Outreach for Diabetes Prevention among South TX High School Students. Role: Faculty Mentor (Swetha Menon)
Pending Submissions:
- 07/2024 - 12/2027 Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, $1,160,000 Title: Kabalikat Para Sa PCOR: Developing and Testing Engagement Methods among Filipinos in the United States (US) Role: Principal Investigator/Project Leader (20%) Grant Detail: The purpose of this project is to develop and test engagement tools for patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) among Filipinos in the US. (LOI Submitted)
- 07/2024 - 12/2027 Funder: Title V Pilot Project (PiP) Application - $18,000 Title: Helping Older Adults with their Loneliness and Activity (HOLA): A community-based project to reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation among Older Adults Role: Faculty Mentor (Mentee: Dr. Felix Javier Roman Hernandez) Grant Detail: The purpose of this project is to test the effects of weekly exercise activity among older Hispanic adults in Puerto Rico. This funding is under a Title V mechanism: Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) with an Interdisciplinary and Entrepreneurial Approach for Students and Faculty from Undergraduate Programs in Puerto Rico. Mentors receive $2000 and
- 2021 - 2022, Funder: San Antonio Medical Foundation. Title: Be Checked: Hepatitis B/C Screening.Role: Principal Investigator
- 2020 - 2022, Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, $4,492.650. Title: Fil-Am NURSES: Filipino-American Nurses United to Reaffirm Social and Emotional Support. Role: Principal Investigator
- 2020 - 2021, Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, $149,203.00. Title: COVID Enhancement to “Mag-PCOR Muna Tayo:” Nationwide Capacity Building for Filipino-Americans to Engage in PCOR and CER. Role: Principal Investigator
Submitted and Not Funded or Unfunded Research/Projects:
- 2018 - 2021, Funder: National Institutes of Health, $149,924.00. Title: NextGenSAFER™: Mental health clinicians’ remote biometric assessment dashboard. Role: Co-Investigator
Service
School
Student Mentees/Trainees
- 2020- Present Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Project Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Served as Chair of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Project Committees for Kim McDougall, Bindu Sam, Belinda Pena, Handa Sayi, Dondee Schwart, Ruby Mathew.
- 2019- Present PhD Dissertation Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Chair for Darlene Deters, Member for Denise Rios
- 2015 - 2018 Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Project Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Served as Chair of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Project Committee for Ms. Paula Gray and James Ellis. Her project is aimed at increasing use of nursing preceptorship program in the military. His project was on improving hand hygiene compliance at a Federal healthcare institution.
Institutional
- 2022 – Present UTHSCSA Chair, Faculty Senate
- Projects/Activities: Removal of Leave Donor Tax, UT System Negotiation of Publishing Cost, Childcare Assistance, Dependent Tuition Assistance, UT System-wide Research Collaboration, UTHSA Mentorship Program, Representation at the UT System Faculty Council
- 2022 – Present UTHSCSA Chair, Faculty Senate Executive Committee
- 2021- Present UTHSCA/UTS Represent UTHSA at the UT System Faculty Advisory Council
- 2023- Present: Elected Secretary of the Faculty Advisory Council
- 2021 – 2022 UTHSCSA Chair Elect, Faculty Senate
- 2021- Present, UTHSCSA, Volunteered to assist with UT Health School of Nursing, COVACC 20 clinic
- 2020 – Present, UTHSCSA Chair, Faculty Senate’s Institutional Committee on Committees
- 2020 – Present, UTHSCSA Member, Faculty Senate Executive Committee
- 2020 – Present, UTHSCSA Member, International Oversight Committee
- 2021, UTHSCSA, Judge, Image of Research Contest 2021
- 2020 - Present, UTHSCSA Inaugural Alumni Council, Committee Member
- 2020-Present UTHSCSA Committee of Appointments Faculty Senate, Chair.
- 2019 - Present UTHSCSA , UT Health Hospital Planning, Officer
- 2019 - Present, UTHSCSA, Faculty Senate, Officer.
Service to the Profession
- 2023-Present Secretary University of TX System, Faculty Advisory Council
- 2020-2021 Co-Chair 25 Best Nurses of South-Central TX, event hosted by the San Antonio Nursing Consortium. .
- 2020-Present Co-Chair Abstract Review Sub-Committee Policy Conference Planning Committee
- 2020-Present Journal Reviewer Nursing Outlook Invited to review manuscripts for Nursing Outlook
- 2020-Present Member Planning Committee Policy Conference Planning Committee
- 2019-Present External Reviewer Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
- 2019-Present External Reviewer Swiss National Science Foundation,
- 2019-Present Internal Reviewer Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship
- 2018-Present Committee Member Texas Nurses Association District 8
Professional Affiliations
- 2021-Present Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas
- 2021-Present Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas
- 2022-Present Philippine Nurses of America
- 2022-Present Philippine Nurses of America Foundation
- 2019-Present Texas Nurses Association
- 2019-Present San Antonio Nursing Consortium
- 2018-Present TX Organization of Nurse Executives
- 2018-Present Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of TX
Community
- 12/2022 Coordinator Health Screening and Hep. B/C Education Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church, SA
- 10/22 Coordinator First Aid Booth Indian Diwali Celebration, San Antonio
- 10/22 Region PACC CTR Gala to celebrate The Outstanding Filipino of San Antonio (TOFSA), San Antonio-Baguio City Friendship City Agreement, and Navy ship naming of USS Trinidad (A Filipino Medal of Honor Recipient). San Antonio, TX
- 2004 - Present, Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity Project
- 2009 - Present, Member, St. Matthew Catholic School -School Council
- 2021, Organized COVACC clinic St. Matthew Catholic Church community,
- 2021, Organized COVACC clinic Vietnamese Lien Hoa Buddhist Temple community,
- 2021, Assisted COVACC clinic St. Mary’s Catholic Church, San Antonio
- 2021, Co-led health screening and flu vaccination clinic RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
- 2021 Facilitator, Memorandum of Understanding RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
- 2020, Faculty 2020 Asian Festival Health Screening and Census Promotion
- 2018 - 2020, Organizing Committee Member Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) Filipino Exhibit
- 2019 - 2020, Mentor, Lien Hoa Vietnamese Temple Health screening and needs assessment
Global

Dr. Bluhm is an Associate Professor and Director of International Programs, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing. Originally from the Philippines, she has traveled extensively throughout the world for education, work, and tourism. She completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) and BS Honours in Australia, BS in Nursing from the Philippines, a pre-doctoral stint in Sweden, and PhD in England, where she also worked as a nurse. She has also worked in Thailand and Denmark before joining UT Health San Antonio. She has participated in medical missions to the Philippines. As the Director of International Programs, she has facilitated collaborations with universities in Mexico, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Finland, and Turkey. She has supervised students on education abroad trips to Bogota, Colombia. As the founding faculty adviser of the International Nursing Students Association (INSA), Dr. Bluhm has mentored nursing students on community service-learning (CSL) activities for minority communities, including but not limited to Filipino, Vietnamese, and other Asian-American communities. She has also mentored medical students in their CSL projects targeted towards diabetes, cancer, and Hepatitis C screening. She recognizes the value of global health education and the importance of cultural understanding.
Publications

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M. Danet Lapiz Bluhm, PhD, RN, MSCI, FAAN, ANEF

Professional Background

Education

Highlights

Appointments

Instruction & Training

Research & Grants

Grants

Service

School

Institutional

Service to the Profession

Community

Global

Publications