College of Nursing PhD Student Wins Prestigious Scholar Award

Cassie Wardlaw, a PhD student in the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing, has been selected as one of four Minority Fellowship Program Traditional Scholars for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. The award, which includes money for tuition and funding for educational expenses and research, is presented by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association.

Wardlaw received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from UC, where she is also an adjunct instructor. Her research focuses on depression in African-Americans, with a particular focus on how African-American women communicate about depressive symptoms during the clinical encounter. 

"The ability of individuals and families to function at optimal levels is truly impacted by psychosocial factors and overall well-being," says Wardlaw. "Increasing the amount of nursing research related to mental health is essential to improving the quality of life for countless numbers of people."

Wardlaw worked as a social worker for several years before deciding to pursue a nursing career. 

"I knew for a long time that I wanted my PhD but I had no idea how to get there," says Wardlaw. "I worked as a social worker for many years before returning to school to pursue a career in nursing."

"We are thrilled that Cassie has received this prestigious award to support her research," says Donna Shambley-Ebron, PhD, associate professor and PhD program director in the College of Nursing. "She is passionate about her research which promises to add significantly to nursing science, hopefully leading to improved mental health outcomes for African-American women."