UC occupational health professor, researcher inducted as AAOHN fellow

Hittle’s contributions to the occupational health nursing field are noted by the reach of her research dissemination, the use of such research by others in the field of sleep and occupational health, and the external funding she has received. She holds co-investigator status on an $8.9 million grant and has been funded by AAOHN, CDC/NIOSH and UC.

In addition to providing sleep education and resources for use in different work settings, Hittle has been collaborating with other College of Nursing faculty to expand occupational health nursing training and education to the DNP program. She has co-developed and teaches a combined DNP and PhD health care policy course and is co-developing a new Total Worker Health course for students in the nursing college and associated UC occupational health programs.

“My vision for the profession is to grow occupational health nurse leaders who are agents for change, advocating for safe work environments, worker health, and improving occupational health equity,” Hittle says. “OHNs should examine how social determinants of health may increase occupational risks for workers by developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions, policies and practices with a lens of health equity.”

Hittle was inducted as a fellow March 12, before joining the AAOHN National Conference in San Antonio, Texas.