Elizabeth Nilsen

I am a dedicated health services researcher with a robust foundation in both research and clinical practice. My academic journey has been marked by a commitment to advancing the field of nursing, earning a dual PhD/DNP-CNS from the University of Pittsburgh, where I focused on the intersection of healthcare delivery, research and policy. My expertise spans the design of observational studies, administrative claims data analysis, EHR data extraction, and leading multidisciplinary teams to improve patient safety and outcomes.

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Throughout my career, I have been recognized for my contributions to nursing research and practice. I was the first nurse to receive a dual clinical/research pre-doctoral fellowship from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, securing over $150,000 in research funding, which has allowed me to explore critical areas such as postoperative opioid prescribing coordination and access to non-opioid therapies after surgery. My work has been presented at AcademyHealth's Annual Research Meeting and published in Applied Nursing Research. 

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I am passionate about volunteering and fostering meaningful connections among women. I serve as a financial advisor for the Beta-Xi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, where I mentor officers on aligning spending with chapter values and goals. Additionally, I enjoy planning group trips, using this opportunity to strengthen friendships and create enduring support networks.