Private philanthropy is a vital force driving research and innovative initiatives for early-career faculty. Jumpstarting or accelerating these scholarly pursuits, research funds contributed by individual donors or organizations provide financial resources to launch new ideas, explore emerging lines of research, and fuel initiatives that may not meet criteria for larger public funding sources. At the VCU School of Nursing, grants from research funds like the McCain Grap Research Endowment and the Clinical Scholars Fund, are helping researchers generate meaningful results and scale their projects, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs and positioning them to secure larger grants and long-term funding.

Funded by the Clinical Scholars Fund, clinical associate professor Kimberly Battle, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, conducted a study of the Prescription Produce Program (PPP), an initiative of the Mobile Health and Wellness Program (MHWP) that delivers weekly fresh produce, health checks, nutrition counseling and hands-on cooking classes to individuals who have limited access to healthy food.

Her work examined how access to fresh, prescriptive produce can drive behavior changes that improve self-care for chronic conditions. “The Prescription Produce Program provides clinical learning experiences for faculty to engage interprofessional student teams in identifying environmental and societal factors that influence food insecurity, “ Battle said. “The PPP plays a significant role in the lives of MHWP program participants by providing fresh produce for a time period. Vouchers supporting post-program fruit and vegetable intake positively influence both short term and long term health outcomes for individuals with food insecurity.”

Clinical instructor Leslie B. Lantz, M.S.N., CNE, RNC-OB, is studying the long-term effects of a mindfulness program for mothers on their interactions with their children, supported by funding from the McCain Grap Research Endowment. Her research will evaluate the program's efficacy and its influence on mothers’ behaviors, communication, and overall relationships with their children.

Lantz will also track changes in depression levels, assessing them at the start of the study and again at six, 12, and 24 months postpartum. “Mindful Moms is holistically centered on promoting biopsychosocial health and well-being for marginalized perinatal individuals during pregnancy and extending through the postpartum period inclusive of their infants,” Lantz said. “Perinatal individuals participating in mindful yoga or prenatal education can experience a multitude of benefits, such as increased self-awareness, self-efficacy, and empowerment as well as improved coping with experiential anxiety, stress, or depression symptoms, which can enhance maternal-infant interactions and cultivate optimal maternal-infant attachment.”

Supported by a grant from the Clinical Scholars Fund, clinical instructor Stephanie Bork, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC, is conducting research to address a critical gap in understanding the unique role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in healthcare institutions. Her study focuses on uncovering the factors contributing to APP turnover and retention at VCU Health System, where turnover rates mirror national averages.

By identifying the key drivers of burnout and job dissatisfaction, Bork aims to develop strategies to improve retention, reduce costs and ensure continuity in patient care.  “Previous literature suggests a correlation between job satisfaction and turnover, but it remains unclear how specific characteristics of APPs, such as years of experience or practice setting, influence these factors,” Bork said. “Understanding these qualities will provide insights into this vulnerable group and help inform interventions to improve APP retention.”