Part of UT Health San Antonio

Part of UT Health San Antonio

You are here

Azizeh Sowan

Contact

sowan@uthscsa.edu

Azizeh K Sowan, PhD, RN, MSN, MSDA, MBA, FAAN

Professor-Tenure

Azizeh K. Sowan is a tenured Professor in the University of Texas Health
Science Center San Antonio School of Nursing. She holds a master’s degree in
data management and Analytics and a master’s in business administration from
the University of Texas at San Antonio, a master’s degree in nursing education
from the University of Jordan, and a PhD in nursing from the University of
Maryland at Baltimore. Dr. Sowan is a national expert and consultant in
informatics and patient care technology. She also served as an informatics
consultant for a Magnet, level-1 trauma medical center in San Antonio for
almost 10 years. Her research focuses on eliminating technology hazards within
complex adaptive healthcare systems and improve quality and safety. She
utilizes large datasets and log data from medical devices in her research. She
has published many articles with a focus on technology hazards and national
patient safety goals, has been awarded several research grants, and received
several conferences, best publications, and research projects awards. For over
20 years, Dr. Sowan has taught different courses in the undergraduate and
graduate nursing programs such as informatics, theory, statistical methods,
leadership, research, and policy and quality. She mentored many students in
master theses and doctoral dissertations and capstone projects.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2020 - MBS - University of Texas at San Antonio
    • 2017 - Master- Data Analytics - University of Texas at San Antonio
    • 2006 - PhD- Nursing (Informatics) - University of Maryland, Baltimore
    • 2001 - MSN- Nursing - University of Jordan
    • 1994 - BSN - University of Jordan

    Highlights

    LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

    2023 Florida Board of Nursing RN
    2015 Texas Board of Nursing RN
    2019 University of Texas Six Sigma
     

    AWARDS AND HONORS

    • 2023 - Best Research Article Amer. Assoc. of Medical Instrumentation
    • 2022 - ELAN Fellow (Elevating Leaders in Academic Setting) AACN
    • 2022 - Best 25 Nurses of South-Central TX
    • 2020 - Fellow American Academy of Nursing
    • 2020 - LTC Philip Piccione & Col Jean Migliorino Research Award University of Texas Health SA

    Appointments

    • 2022-2023 - Professor/Tenured, Chair, Department of Nursing Practice - University of Central Florida, College of Nursing
    • 2017-2022 - Associate Professor/Tenured - University of Texas Health at San Antonio, School of Nursing
    • 2013-2017 - Assistant Professor/Tenure Track - University of Texas Health at San Antonio, School of Nursing

  • Instruction & Training

    • 2022, NURS 7305 DNP Project (Seminar), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NURS 7306 DNP Project (Practicum) , UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NURS7320 Statistical Methods for Quality Improvement (Didactic), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2020, NURS4317 Population Health (Didactic), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NUR7374 Quantitative Research Methods (Didactic), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2018, NUR3402 Nursing Research & EBP (Didactic), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NUR7312 DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar (Practicum), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NUR7511 Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application (Practicum), UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NUR6315 Informatics and Health Care Technologies (Didactic) , UT Health San Antonio

  • Research & Grants

    Grants

    RESEARCH GRANTS AND SCHOLARLY PROJECTS—FUNDED

    1/2023- 1/2024 Implementation of A Comprehensive Testing and Content Review Program to Improve Student Clinical Judgement. UCF Technology Fee. Role: PI $121,950

    12/2022- 12/2023 Interdisciplinary Education: Performing Art and Humanities and Nursing. University of Central Florida (UCF) Office of Research Mentoring Programs for Associate Professors. Dr. Elizabeth Horn from College of Preforming Art, Theatre for Young Audiences. Role: Research Mentor $3,000

    11/2022 – 8/2023 Creating a Culture for EBP. Linking Industry to Nursing Education. Role: Research Consultant $18,800

    11/2022 – 8/2023 Creating a Partnership in Dedicated Education Unit- Orlando Health. Linking Industry to Nursing Education. Role: Reviewer and Research Leader $37,800

    11/2022 – 8/2023 Creating a Partnership in Dedicated Education Unit- Advent Health. Linking Industry to Nursing Education. Role: Reviewer and Research Leader $37,800

    8/2022- 8/2026 Art-Nursing Interdisciplinary Education. University of Central Florida Foundation- Jeanette M. Gould Traveling Theatre Fund. Role: Research Leader  $60,000

    1/2021-6/2022 - Feasibility of Acute-Hospital-Care-at-Home (HaH). Program using Smart Technology in 4 Acute care Units among Acute Care Hispanic Population. University Health (UH). Role: PI $30,000

    2/2020-1/2022 - Evaluation of the implementation of an Interactive Patient Engagement System in Ten Acute and Critical Care Units. UT Health SA, School of Nursing. Role: PI $5,000

    8/2020-2/2022 - Barriers to Utilization of GetWell Patient Engagement System. University Health (UH). Role: PI $30,000

    6/2018-6/2019 - Enhancing Safety and Security of Clinical Alarm Systems: An interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical-Human Analysis. SALSI. Role: PI $100,000

    5/2018-5/2019 - Predictors of HCAHPS Scores, and Readmissions: A Big Data Collaborative Research Toward Safety, Quality, and Reimbursement in Healthcare. NAC. Role: PI $7,500

    4/2018-4/2019 - Development and Use of Interdisciplinary Multimedia Educational Program-Toward a Successful Are Transition from Acute Care to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. STTI. Role: PI $1,500

    5/2017-8/2018 - Health Insurance Literacy among Arab Americans: A call to eliminate disparities. NAC. Role: PI $7,800

    5/2017-5/2019 - Improving the safety and electronic documentation of blood transfusion in medical surgical and ICUs. University Health (UH) Patient Care Services and Center for Excellence. Role Co-PI $20,300

    8/2016-2/2018 - Discrepancy in Documenting Pressure Ulcer Stage Using EMR Data. University Health Patient Care Services and Center for Excellence. Role Co-PI $10,000

    5/2016-5/2018 - Understanding the Health Metrics of Arab Americans Using the UT Medicine Big Data: An Urgent Call towards Eliminating Disparities. Sigma Theta Tau International. Role: PI $1,500

    3/2016-5/2018 - Use of Multimedia Applications to Improve the Safety of a PICC Procedure. UH Patient Care Services and Center for Excellence. Role: PI $50,000

     

    RECENT RESEARCH, EDUCATIONAL, AND PROJECT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED—NON-FUNDED

    12/2021 Development and refinement of patient and clinical decision-making algorithms for acute stroke treatment. Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science’s (IIMS)- Mentored Research Career Development (KL2) Program in Clinical and Translational Science. $250,000 (Mentor)

    8/2021 Connecting the Data: changing the Public Health Informatics Landscape in South Central Texas. Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. $350,000 (Co-PI)

    2/2021 An Interprofessional, patient-partnered, quality improvement curriculum in minority-serving institutions. Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. $200,000 (PI)

     

    PRESENTATIONS

    INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL

    05/2019 - *^Fichter-Patrick P, Sowan AK. Giddens O, Rivas R, Quinn A, Sandate I, Reed C. An innovative, parent-centered, multifaceted intervention program to reduce CLABSI in a neonatal intensive care unit. Academy of Neonatal Nursing conference, Palm Springs, CA. Mentor for a DNP student Poster

    10/2019 - *^Fichter-Patrick P, Sowan AK. et al. A Multifaceted interventional program to reduce central line associated bloodstream infections and engage parents in a neonatal Intensive care unit. Annual Quality Congress, Vermont Oxford Network, Chicago, IL. Mentor for a DNP student Podium

    03/2018 - *Golightly-Jenkins C, Sowan AK. Innovative teaching strategies for leadership preparation in nursing. Academic and Business Research Institute International Conference, San Antonio, TX. Podium

     

    REGIONAL

    09/2022 Sowan AK. How to Initiate Quality Improvement Projects. Sigma Theta Tau International, Delta Alpha at Large Chapter, San Antonio, TX. Invited

  • Service

    Institutional

    UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, FL

    2/2023- Present University of Central Florida- Chat GPT Taskforce Member

    8/2022- Present University of Central Florida Academic Health Science Center Clinical Council Member

    8/2022- Present New College of Nursing Building Committee- $60,000,000 Member

    COLLEGE COMMITTEES- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

    8/2022- Present College Budget Council Member

    8/2022- Present College Leadership Council Member

    8/2022- Present Undergraduate Program- Admission, Progression, Graduation Committee  Ex-officio

    8/2022- Present Undergraduate Program- Curriculum Committee  Ex-officio

    8/2022- Present MSN/DNP- Admission, Progression, Graduation Committee Ex-officio

    8/2022- Present MSN/DNP Program- Curriculum Committee  Ex-officio

    8/2022- Present Simulation Committee Ex-officio

    UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, COLLEGE OF NURSING

    12/2023 – Present DEU, UCF, Nursing-Orlando Health Leader

    12/2023 – Present DEU, UCF, Nursing-AdventHealth Leader

    12/2022- 2/2023 Orlando Science Center STEM FEST and Proposal College of Nursing Organizer

  • Publications

      PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

      Sowan AK, Chen G, Castello, J. Rate and characteristics of physiologic alarms in five adult ICUs. Under preparation.

      Sowan AK, Chen G, Xu X. Castello J. Detailed analysis of log data from physiologic monitors in Neuro ICU. Under preparation.

       

      PUBLICATIONS FEATURED BY NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

      University of Texas Health at San Antonio, University Heath system Used AHRQ Tools. AHRQ (2019) https://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsroom/case-studies/201905.html.

      Multimedia tools prove effective in helping patients understand, consent to PICC line procedures. Healthcare Purchasing News (2019. https://www.hpnonline.com/patient- satisfaction/article/21089371/multimedia-tools-prove-effective-in-helping-patients-understand- consent-to-picc-line-procedures.

       

      OTHER PUBLICATIONS (NON-PEER REVIEWED)   

      Badgett R, Sowan AK, Winker M, Alper B. (2020) Submitted a Request for Information (RFI): “Strategic Opportunities and Challenges for the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health” 10/2020.

       

      PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS                                    

      Alvarez M, Henis J, Maselli D, Sowan AK. Effectiveness of simulation-based training on respiratory therapists’ confidence in managing intubated patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy and skills’ attainment and retention. CHEST; 2018, Oct. p. 1053A.

      Sowan AK, Reed C, Tarriela A, Leibas M. Lee H. Reasons for inappropriate use of a nursing care plan system with 100s practice guidelines in ICUs. Critical Care Medicine; 2018, Feb,46(1) p. 617.

      Sowan AK, Staggers N, Reed C, Vera A, Fonseca E. Usability testing of physiologic monitors: Guiding initiatives on improving clinical alarm safety. Critical Care Medicine; 2018, Feb 46(1) p. 576.

      Sowan AK, Vera A, Fonseca E, Paccione C, Payne M, Reed C, Colon-Lugo H. Transcription and documentation errors in blood glucose values in an adult surgical trauma ICU. Critical Care Medicine; 2018, Feb 46(1). p.616.

      Sowan AK, Berndt A. Students’ and faculty competence in DNP projects: Implications for curriculum and professional development. Under preparation.

      Sowan AK, Information literacy competency across the DNP program. Under preparation.

      Sowan AK, Chinman M. Utilization of GTO Model in QI and implementation science. Under review. Health Education and Behavior (2023).

      Sowan AK, Staggers N, Reed C, Austin T, Chen Q, Xu S, Lopez E. State of science in alarm system safety: Implications for researchers, vendors, and clinical leaders. Biomed Instrum Technol. 2022 56(1):19-28.

      Sowan AK, Heins J, Dayton C, Scherer E, Tam WS, Saikumar H. Developing and testing a protocol for managing cardiopulmonary resuscitation of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19: In situ simulation study. JMIR Nurs. 2022 5(1):e38044.

      Sowan AK, Staggers N, Berndt A, Austin T, Reed CC, Malshe A, Kilger M, Fonseca E, Vera A, Chen Q. Improving the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of clinical alarm systems: Simulation-based usability testing of physiologic monitors. JMIR Nurs. 2021 4(1):e20584. 

      Philips J, Sowan A, Ruppel H, Magness R. Educational program for physiologic monitor use and alarm systems safety: A toolkit. Clinical Nurse Specialists Journal 2020 34(2):50-62.

      Sowan AK, Leibas M, Tarriela A, Reed C. Nurses ‘perceptions of a care plan information technology solution with hundreds of clinical practice guidelines in adult intensive care units: Survey study. JMIR Human Factors 2019 12(6):e11846.

      Sowan AK, Vera A, Malshe A, Reed C. Transcription errors of blood glucose values and insulin errors in an intensive care unit: Secondary data analysis toward electronic medical record-glucometer interoperability. JMIR Medical Informatics Research 2019 7(1):e11873.

      Sowan AK, Beraya, AR, Carrola A, Reed, CC, Matthews SV, Moodley T. Developing, implementing, and evaluating a multimedia patient decision aid program to reform the informed consent process of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter procedure: Protocol for quality improvement. JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 7(12):e10709.

      Chen Q, Sowan AK, Xu S. A safety and security architecture for reducing accidents in intelligent transportation systems ICCAD 18 Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Aided Design 2018 Nov;(85)

      Sowan AK, Beraya, AR, Carrola A, Reed C. Effect of a multimedia patient decision aid to supplement the informed consent process of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter procedure. JMIR Medical Informatics 2018 6(4):e11056