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Dillon J. Dzikowicz, PhD, RN, PCCN

Dillon J. Dzikowicz, PhD, RN, PCCN

  • Assistant Professor, Nursing

Education

  • PhD in Nursing and Health Science, 2023. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
  • Masters in Nursing, 2021. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
  • BS in Nursing, 2017. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
  • BS in Biology, 2016. SUNY New Paltz. New Paltz, NY

Bio

Dillon Dzikowicz, PhD, RN, PCCN, is an assistant professor in nursing at the University of Rochester, with a secondary appointment at the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dzikowicz aims to advance cardiovascular care through research interests in cardiovascular disease, clinical informatics, and machine learning. His primary focus lies on the task of phenotyping physiological signals (such as electrocardiography, vectorcardiography, photoplethysmography, etc.) among patients with acute coronary syndromes and heart failure, as well as with elevated risk for sudden cardiac death. By leveraging his expertise in these areas, Dzikowicz aims to enhance understanding of these conditions and pave the way for more precise and personalized interventions.

Dzikowicz also contributes to the advancement of nursing practice and research as an active member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Heart Association, and the International Society for Computerized Electrocardiology and is a regular contributor to the American Journal of Critical Care’s ECG Puzzler, a case-study column which addresses electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation for nurses. His work has garnered recognition and support from Sigma Theta Tau, Emergency Nurses Association, and the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Research. Most recently, his dissertation "Differentiating NSTEMI Patients with and without an Occluded Culprit Artery” received multiple recognitions including the 2023 ENRS/Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Dissertation Award. Prior to joining the School of Nursing faculty in 2023, Dzikowicz completed his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. He currently practices as a cardiac nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital.


Current Focus

My current research focuses on utilizing machine learning and novel electrocardiographic features to improve the stratification of cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction (e.g. heart attack), heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. In particular, my dissertation research aims to improve the stratification of myocardial infarction patients who present without significant changes on the electrocardiogram. This research utilizes the electronic medical records of University of Rochester Medical Center providing a plethora of real-world data to inform scientific inquiry, and improve clinical practice and outcomes.


Professional Experience

Registered Nurse,
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. 2019 - Current

Research Associate,
University of Rochester Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, Rochester, NY. 2021 - 2023

Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Fellow,
University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. 2018 - 2021

Loretta C. Ford Fellow,
University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. 2017 - 2019

Awards

Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching Award
University of Rochester, 2022

Julia Schottmiller-Koestner Scholarship
University of Rochester, 2022

Early Career Nursing Practice Award
American Nurses Association of New York, 2020

Best Oral Abstract for Original Research
Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association, 2019

Early Career Award
American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular & Stroke Nursing, 2018

Presentations

Race and Door-to-Diuretic time Among a Cohort of Acute Heart Failure Patients
University of Rochester DEI & Healthcare Equity Symposium, University of Rochester, 2022


Lower Diastolic BP is a Reliable Predictor of Delayed Door-to-Diuretic Time
HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting, Heart Failure Society of America, 2022


Delay in Door-to-Diuretic Time is a Predictor of Readmission and Mortality among Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients
HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting, Heart Failure Society of America, 2021
Denver, Colorado

Mobile ECG to Monitor Heart Failure Patients Post-Hospitalization and Prevent Re-admission: Future Implications for Monitoring
ESC Heart Failure Congress 2021, European Society of Cardiology, 2021
Barcelona, Apo / Fpo Europe, Spain

The Summation of ST-segment Deviations on the 12-lead ECG Predicts 1-year Mortality Among Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2020, European Society of Cardiology, 2020
Athens, Apo / Fpo Europe, Greece

Inflammation Contributes to Symptoms of Depression which Anti-Hypertensive Medications Effect among Hypertensive Adults
Annual Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, 2019
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Prolong QTc Interval is Associated with Reduced Pulse Pressure during Exercise: An Exploratory Analysis
ISCE Annual Conference, International Society for Computerized Electrocardiology, 2019
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Publications

  • Li, J., Brown, C., Dzikowicz, D.J., Carey, M.G., Tam, W.C., & Huang, M. X. (2023). Towards Real-time Heart Health Monitoring in Firefighting Using Convolutional Neural Networks. Fire Safety Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2023.103852

  • Carey, M.G., Kozik, T.M., & Dzikowicz, D.J. (2023). Recognizing Patterns on a Resting 12-Lead Electrocardiogram. American Journal of Critical Care. PMID: 36854907

  • Bhattarai, S.P., Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2023). Signs and Symptoms Clusters Among Patients With Acute Heart Failure: A Correlational Study. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. PMID: 37249552

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. & Carey, M.G. (2023). Secondary electrocardiographic stratification of NSTEMI to identify an acutely occluded culprit artery. Physiological Measurement. PMID: 37307848 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/acddc8

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2022). The Use of Interactive Technology to Improve Student Accuracy on Electrocardiographic Interpretation. Nursing Education Perspectives. PMID: 36729816

  • Suba, S. Dzikowicz, D.J., Kozik, T. M., & Pelter, M.M. (2022). Narrow versus Wide QRS Complex Tachycardia in a Patient with Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome. American Journal of Critical Care. DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022819

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Suba, S. Al-Zaiti, S.S., & Carey, M.G. (2022). Interpretation of Telemetry Among Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device. American Journal of Critical Care.

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Pokhrel Bhattarai, S. Ng, J., Zemanek, A.L., & Carey, M.G. (2022). Delays in Door-to-Diuretic Time and 1-Year Mortality Among Patients With Heart Failure. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. & Carey, M.G. (2022). Door-to-Diuretic Time: A New Nursing Quality Indicator?. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.

  • Suba, S. Dzikowicz, D.J., Kozik, T. M., & Pelter, M.M (2022). Measuring the QT/QTc Interval in the Presence of Wide QRS Complexes. American Journal of Critical Care. DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022748

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2022). Correlates of Autonomic Function, Hemodynamics, and Physical Activity Performance During Exercise Stress Testing Among Firefighters. Biological Research in Nursing. PMID: 36446383

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2022). Implementing interactive technology to teach electrocardiographic interpretation online. Journal of Professional Nursing. PMID: 36150853

  • Sukardi S., Nolan W., Dzikowicz, D.J., Kozik, T.M., & Pelter, M.M. (2022). Value of a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram for Assessing P Waves. American Journal of Critical Care. DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022352

  • Dzikowicz D.J., & Carey M.G. (2021). Severity of Myocardial Ischemia Is Related to Career Length Rather Than Age Among Professional Firefighters. Workplace Health & Safety. PMID: 33514296 DOI: 10.1177/2165079920984080

  • Dzikowicz D.J., Schmitt L.A., Gastle K., Skermont A., & Carey M.G. (2020). Comparing an All-RN Unit to a Mixed-Skill Unit at a Hospital. The Journal of Nursing Administration. PMID: 33181604 DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000954

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. (2020). Low Voltage on the 12-lead ECG: A Warning Sign. The Nurse Practitioner. PMID: 32826538 DOI: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000694724.36132.29

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. (2020). The Unintended Consequences of Subjective Assessments and the Need for Objective Measurement in Emergency Departments.. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. PMID: 32784352 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000724

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2020). Exercise-Induced Premature Ventricular Contractions Are Associated With Myocardial Ischemia Among Asymptomatic Adult Male Firefighters: Implications for Enhanced Risk Stratification. Biological Research For Nursing. PMID: 32342704 PMCID: PMC7492778 DOI: 10.1177/1099800420921944

  • Dzikowicz D.& J., Carey, M.G. (2019). Widened QRS-T Angle may be a Measure of Poor Ventricular Stretch during Exercise among On-duty Firefighters. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. PMID: 30520777 PMCID: PMC6528825 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000554

  • Dzikowicz D.J., & Carey M.G. (2019). Obesity and Hypertension Contribute to Prolong QRS Complex Duration among Middle-aged Adults. Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology. PMID: 31141255 PMCID: PMC6819200 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12665

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2019). An Incidental Finding on a Preprocedural Electrocardiogram. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2019.09.005

Projects
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