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Dillon Dzikowicz, PhD, RN, PCCN

Dillon 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

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

ENRS/CANS Dissertation Award
Eastern Nursing Research Society/Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2023

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

A Comparative Study of KardiaMobile 6L Derived Recordings versus Conventional Holter Recordings in the Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Heart Rhythm 2024, Heart Rhythm Society, 2024


Risk Stratification for a Primary Prevention ICD: Performance of the MADIT-ICD Benefit Score in a Contempory Real World Cohort
Heart Rhythm 2024, Heart Rhythm Society, 2024


Novel In-Home Cardiac Monitoring for Heart Failure Patients
Computing in Cardiology 2023, Computing in Cardiology, 2023


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


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

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

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

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

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

Publications

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Aktas, M., Pokhrel Bhattarai, S., Chen, L., & Carey, M.G. (2025). Door-to-Diuretic Time is related to length of hospital stay independent of diuretic dose among acute decompensated heart failure patients. Heart & Lung. DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2024.11.002

  • Bhattarai, S.P, Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2024). Association Between Serum Albumin and the Length of Hospital Stay Among Patients With Acute Heart Failure. Biological Research For Nursing. PMID: 38869162 DOI: 10.1177/10998004241262530

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Suba, S., & Carey, M.G. (2024). Cardiac Arrhythmias After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. PMCID: 38688846 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2024870

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Bobry, M.D., & Carey, M.G. (2024). ST Elevation in aVR With Progressive Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma: Case Report. Journal for Nurse Practitioners. DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.104992

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Arcoleo, K., & Carey, M.G. (2024). Trends in NIH-funding to schools of nursing in the last 17 years. Nursing Outlook. PMID: 38359603 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102139

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Keady, K.G., & Carey, M.G. (2024). Disparities in 30-Day Readmission Between Medicare/Medicaid and Private Insurance Among Patients With Heart Failure Screened for Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. PMID: 38447067 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001080

  • Bhattarai, S.P., Dzikowicz, D.J., Xue, Y., Block, R., Tucker, R.G., Bhandari, S., Boulware, V.E., Stone, B., & Carey, M.G. (2024). Estimating Ejection Fraction from the 12 Lead ECG among Patients with Acute Heart Failure. medRxiv. PMID: 38585894 PMCID: PMC10996705 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.24304875

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., Saoji, S.B., am, W.C., Brunner, W.M., & Carey, M.G. (2024). The Effect of Mandatory Fitness Requirements on Cardiovascular Events: A State-by-State Analysis Using a National Database. Workplace Health & Safety. DOI: 10.1177/21650799231221575

  • Dzikowicz. D.J. (2023). A Scoping Review of Varying Mobile Electrocardiographic Devices. Biological Research For Nursing. PMID: 38029286 DOI: 10.1177/10998004231216923

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001002

  • 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

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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., Suba, S., Al-Zaiti, S.S. & Carey, M.G. (2022). Symptomatic Bradycardia in a Young Adult After Camping. American Journal of Critical Care. DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022565

  • 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 PMCID: PMC10404907 DOI: 10.1177/10998004221143508

  • 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. DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000932

  • 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. PMID: 35773195 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022327

  • Dzikowicz, D.J., & Carey, M.G. (2022). The Use of Interactive Technology to Improve Student Accuracy on Electrocardiographic Interpretation. Nursing Education Perspectives. PMID: 36729816 DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001078

  • 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., Mulligan, D.H., & Carey, M.G. (2020). ECG-based Characteristics of Death or Re-infarction on the 12-Lead or 15-Lead ECG among UA/NSTEMI Patients: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Research Square. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-33611/v2

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. & Carey, M.G. (2020). The Tale of Two Fibs: The Value of Assessing Symptoms and Collecting Medical Histories in Patients with New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation. MEDSURG Nursing.

  • Dzikowicz, D.J. & Carey, M.G. (2020). The Tale of Two Fibs: The Value of Assessing Symptoms and Collecting Medical Histories in Patients with New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation. MEDSURG Nursing.

  • 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