Education
PhD, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BSN, Carroll Columbia College, School of Nursing, Waukesha, WI
Diploma, Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Oshkosh, WI
Dr. Plach is a Cardioivascular and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and has an extensive background in critical care nursing practice. Her program of research is focused on chronic disease with particular focus on women and social role quality (specific populations: heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS). She is a Center Scientist with the Self-Management Science Center and is currently conducting an intervention study with older adults with heart failure.
Research/Scholarship
Center for Enhancement of Self-Management in Individuals and Families Research Project: Patient-Centered Intervention to Improve Symptom Management in Older Heart Failure Patients. Funded by NIH NINR (2008-2010). The purpose of this research project is to test the feasibility of HEART-IRIS, an innovative, individualized, representational intervention to improve symptom self-management in older HF patients. A two-group, repeated measures experimental design is being used, with random assignment of 60 men and women to the HEART-IRIS group or the Wait-List Control group.
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Coordinator of Nursing Research (2003-2006). The purpose of this appointment was to assist the professional nurses at this facility as they continue to implement evidence-based practice, to facilitate their nursing research studies, and to assist with Magnet certification.
In-Depth Longitudinal Study of HIV-Infected Women (Co-Investigator 2002-2005). Funded by DHHS PHS NIH NINR (P. Stevens, PI). The purpose of the study was to develop in-depth understanding of HIV-infected women and their health needs in the context of their daily lives, examining the impact of having HIV and the actions women take in light of the complex realities of their gendered relationships, family obligations, economic struggles, sociocultural environments, and concomitant conditions.
Anxiety, Depression, and Positive Functioning in Women with Heart Failure: Can Social Role Experiences Make a Difference? Funded by the Graduate School Research Committee University of WI-Milwaukee (2003-2004). This project was designed to examine relationships among physical health, social role experiences, and level of anxiety, depression, and positive functioning in women living with chronic heart failure.
A pilot study: The cultural appropriateness of instrumentation and methods for a parent study of women with HIV/AIDS. Funded by Sigma Theta Tau, Eta Nu Chapter (2002-2003). The purposes of this pilot study were to determine, in women of color, low-income women, and low-literacy women, the cultural relevance and appropriateness of variables and methods planned for a future study concerning the impact of physical health on women’s social roles and subsequent psychological well-being.
Experiences of midlife and older women living with rheumatoid arthritis. Funded by a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Professional Development Research Grant (2002). The purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the personal meaning and circumstances of rheumatoid arthritis in the everyday lives of midlife and late-life women.
Social role quality, physical health, and well-being in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Funded by Froedtert Hospital Auxiliary Research Grant, Milwaukee, Arthritis Foundation of WI Research Grant, Aventis Pharmaceutical Educational Grant (2000-2001). The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among social role quality, physical health, and psychological well-being in women with rheumatoid arthritis and whether women’s social roles mediate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on their psychological well-being.
Social role quality, physical health, and well-being in women after heart surgery. Funded by Sigma Theta Tau, Eta Nu Chapter Research Award, Nurses Foundation of Wisconsin Research Grant, Harriet H. Werley Doctoral Student Research Award (1998-1999). The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among social role quality, physical health, and psychological well-being in women after heart surgery and whether women’s social roles mediate the impact of heart surgery on their psychological well-being.
Social roles in women recovering from a cardiac event. Funded by a Harriet H. Werley Doctoral Student Research Award, UWM School of Nursing (1996-1997). The purpose of this study was to examine multiple dimensions of women’s social roles in midlife and older women recovering from heart surgery and coronary angioplasty.
