Dr. Sharon Ostwald is a professor, Isla Carroll Turner chair in gerontological nursing and also serves as the coordinator of international affairs at the University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston. She has had long history of international experience with various institutions from 5 different continents. In 2003, she was invited to Rome to provide seminars based on her research on dementia and family and to address the Alzheimer’s Association Conference in Oristano, Sardinia.
Since then she has maintained contact with the association in Italy due to their interest in her research and they have been able to gather support to produce a replication of her intervention research. However, to produce a successful study Dr. Ostwald needed to make a visit to observe the site, meet the participants, review the measuring instruments, and help train the research assistants.
“When I saw this award, I though it would be a great chance for me to help with their study,” explains Dr. Ostwald, “No funds are available for nursing research on a national level (in Italy).”
Dr. Ostwald used the funds to travel to Italy to establish collaborative research projects with Italian nurses and help facilitate the development of a research project of patients with dementia and their families, known as the Savvy Caregiver.
“Curiosity of how things are done in other parts of the world, and the benefits of learning from different people,” is what draws Dr. Ostwald towards international research. “It’s the chance for people to share and develop new ideas.”
Dr. Ostwald says that she was surprised when got the award, and very grateful for the chance to help the association. The association in Italy also shared the same reaction and appreciative for the Office of International Programs.
Dr. Ostwald travels took place in mid-January and over several days. She met with various faculty from the Catholic University in Rome and the University of Florence, the President of the Oristano Alzheimer’s Association and the National Italian Hospice and Alzheimer’s Day Care, and the Alzheimer’s Unit of Pistoia. The trip was an immense success with agreements to pursue the caregiver project and continue the collaborative relationships. |
