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Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
  • Phone: (585) 275-8902
  • Office: HWH 3W150
  • Email: Lisa Kitko

Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN

  • Dean, University of Rochester School of Nursing
  • Independence Foundation Chair in Nursing Education
  • Vice President, University of Rochester Medical Center
  • Professor of Nursing & Geriatric Medicine

Education

  • PhD in Nursing, Minor in Gerontology, 2012. The Pennsylvania State University School of Nursing. State College, PA
  • Master's in Nursing in Clinical Nurse Specialist and Adult Health, 2001. The Pennsylvania State University School of Nursing. State College, PA
  • BSN, 1990. The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Pittsburgh, PA

Bio

Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, is the dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a professor of nursing and geriatric medicine, and vice president of the University of Rochester Medical Center. With a deep commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and advancing nursing education, Dean Kitko has dedicated her career to impactful research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders.

A nationally recognized expert in palliative care, Dean Kitko has led extensive clinical research on the needs of individuals living with complex chronic conditions and their family caregivers, with a particular focus on advanced heart failure. As the principal investigator of multiple groundbreaking studies, she has driven innovative approaches to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by patients and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — including the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) — as well as the American Heart Association. 

Her contributions to nursing science and education have been widely recognized. A Josiah S. Macy Jr. Faculty Scholar, Dean Kitko developed an innovative interdisciplinary certificate program in primary palliative care. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American Heart Association and has received numerous national and international accolades for her work as an educator and researcher.

In addition to her academic and research achievements, Dean Kitko demonstrates a strong commitment to professional and local leadership. She has contributed to the advancement of her field through her past role as a board member of the Eastern Nursing Research Society, where she helped guide initiatives that promote excellence in nursing research. As chair for the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing of the American Heart Association, she plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and programs aimed at improving cardiovascular health. 

Dean Kitko’s career exemplifies a commitment to advancing nursing science, education, and equity in healthcare, making her a respected leader in her field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and completed both her master’s degree as a clinical nurse specialist and her PhD in nursing with a minor in gerontology at The Pennsylvania State University.


Professional Experience

Dean,
University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY. 9/2022 - Current

Vice President,
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, US. 9/2022 - Current

Professor of Nursing,
University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 9/2022 - Current

Director of the PhD Program,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA, US. 1/2020 - 8/2022

Associate Dean of Graduate Education,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 1/2020 - 8/2022

Associate Professor with tenure,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 7/2017 - 8/2022

Schreyer Honors College Undergraduate Adviser,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 6/2016 - 8/2022

Interim Director of the PhD Program,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 6/2019 - 1/2020

Assistant Professor,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 7/2011 - 7/2017

Interim Coordinator of Online MSN Programs,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 7/2014 - 7/2015

Coordinator of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Option,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 9/2010 - 1/2014

University Park Campus Coordinator,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 9/2008 - 7/2011

Instructor,
The Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, State College, PA. 5/2002 - 6/2011

Administrative Director, Neurovascular Services,
Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA. 5/2000 - 9/2002

Stroke Coordinator,
Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA. 12/1998 - 5/2000

Charge Nurse Medical Intensive Care Unit,
Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA. 9/1992 - 12/1998

Staff Nurse Medical Intensive Care,
Altoona Hospital, Altoona, PA. 5/1992 - 9/1992

Staff Nurse Adult Critical Care Complex,
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. 6/1990 - 5/1992

Awards

Nurse Investigator Awards Abstract Finalist
European Society of Cardiology, 2019

Fellow
American Academy of Nursing, 2017

Faculty Scholar
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, 2017

Honorable mention for outstanding poster abstract in the investigator category
National Institute of Nursing Research 30th Anniversary Scientific Symposium, 2015

Poster of Distinction
Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Special Topics Conference, 2015

Fellow
American Heart Association, 2015

Second runner up in the awards session
European Society of Cardiology Nursing Investigator Award Session, 2015

Research abstract nursing investigator finalist
Heart Failure Society of America Nursing Research Award Finalist, 2014

Research Travel Stipend
American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, 2013

Nursing Education Nominee
Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, 2010

Janet A. Williamson excellence in teaching award
The Pennsylvania State University, College of Nursing, 2009

Grantmakers in Aging
GIA fellows program, 2008

Honor Society for Nursing
Sigma Theta Tau International, 2000

Presentations

Unexpected loss in advanced heart failure
Hupcey, J.E., Gilchrist, J.
European Association of Cardiology 6th World Congress on Heart Failure, 2019
Athens, Greece

Rehabilitation: Let us pump…you up…
HFSA 2019 Scientific Meeting, Heart Failure Society of America, 2019
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Palliative care and heart failure: Challenges and opportunities.
Visiting Scholar, Indiana University School of Nursing Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness, 2019
Indianapolis, Indiana

Palliative care and heart failure: Challenges and opportunities.
University of Nebraska Medical Center School of Nursing, 2019
Omaha, Nebraska

Cognitive impairment is a family affair
American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 2019
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Understanding wishes: The importance of advance decisions for surrogate family members
Hupcey, J.E., Gilchrist, I.
EAPC 2019 16th World Congress, European Association of Palliative Care, 2019
Berlin, Germany

Publications

  • Graven, L.J., Kitko, L., Abshire Saylor, M., Allen, L., Durante, A., Evangelista, L.S., Fiedler, A., Kirkpatrick, J., Mixon, L. & Wells, R. (2025). Palliative Care and Advanced Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: Not Just End-of-Life Care: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. PMID: 40242854 PMCID: PMC12116236 DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001323

  • McPherson, M.L., & Kitko, L. (2024). Interprofessional Palliative Care Education in Academic Settings. Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care: Synergy in Education and Practice.

  • Birriel, B., Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J. (2024). Family Surrogates in Critical Care: When is it Time for Palliative Care?. Nursing Research.

  • Callahan, K., Van Scoy, L.J., Kitko, L., Acharya, Y., Hardy, M.A., & Hollenbeak, C.S. (2023). Cost-Savings of Do Not Resuscitate Orders Among Elderly Patients With Heart Failure in the United States. American Journal of Medical Quality. DOI: 10.1097/JMQ.0000000000000121

  • Liao, Y.-J., Jao, Y.-L., Berish, D., Hin, A.S., Wangi, K., Kitko, L., Mogle, J. & Boltz, M. (2023). A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators of Pain Management in Persons with Dementia. Journal of Pain, 24 (5), 730-741. PMID: 36634886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.12.014

  • Kirkpatrick, A. J., Donesky, D., & Kitko, L. A. (2023). A Systematic Review of Interprofessional Palliative Care Education Programs. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.01.022

  • Peachey, B., Bransby, K., & Kitko, L. (2022). Addressing adolescent substance use through the integration of SBIRT into a primary care clinic: A quality improvement project. Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2098849

  • Goldfarb, M.J., Bechtel, C., Capers, Q., de Valasco, A., Dodson, J.A., Jackson, J.L., Kitko, L., Pina, I.L., Rayner-Hartlye, E., Wenger, N.K., Gulati, M. and the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Lifelong Congential Heart Disease and Heart Health in Young; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Hypertension; Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease; and Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Heal (2022). Engaging families in adult cardiovascular care: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Journal of the American Heart Association. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.025859

  • Johnson, L.A., Briley, P., Bolin, L.P., Kitko, L., & Ellis, C. (2022). Disparities in Comorbidities in Lung Cancer: Findings From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Cancer nursing. PMID: 35728011 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001049

  • Choi, S., Kitko, L., Hupcey, J., Birriel, B (2021). Longitudinal family caregiving experiences in heart failure: Secondary qualitative analysis of interviews. Heart & Lung.

  • Spigelmyer, P.C., Hupcey, J. & Kitko, L. (2021). A Concept Analysis of Resistiveness to Care. Clinical Nursing Research, 30 (1), 50-58. PMID: 30019920 DOI: 10.1177/1054773818789862

  • Choi, S., Kitko, L., Hupcey, J., & Birriel, B. (2021). Longitudinal family caregiving experiences in heart failure: Secondary qualitative analysis of interviews. Heart & Lung. PMID: 34091108 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.05.002

  • Parajuli, J., Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L., & Birriel, B. (2021). Palliative care: Oncology nurses’ confidence in provision to patients with cancer.. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. PMID: 34269349 DOI: 10.1188/21.CJON.449-455

  • Liao, Y.J., Berish, D., Jao, Y.J., Kitko, L., & Parajuli, J. (2021). Non-pharmacological interventions for pain in people with dementia: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies. PMID: 34607070 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104082

  • Thiede, E., Kitko, L., & Segel, J. (2021). Hospice delivery in rural areas: Providers perspectives on challenges and opportunities.. Nursing Research.

  • Liao, Y., Jao, Y., Berish, D., & Kitko, L. (2021). Barriers and Facilitators of Pain Management in Persons With Dementia in Long-Term Care: A Scoping Review. Innovation in aging. DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.629

  • Husser E., Fick D., Hupcey J., Boltz M., & Kitko L. (2021). Age-Friendly Care, PA: A Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. Innovation in aging. PMCID: PMC8680112 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.1225

  • Kitko, L., McIlvennan, C.K., Bidwell, J.T., Dionne-Odom, J.N., Dunlay, S.M., Lewis, L.M., Meadows, G., Sattler, E.P., Schulz, R., & Stromberg, A (2020). American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing: Council on Quality Care and Outcomes Research; Council on Clinical Cardiology: and Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health. Family caregiving for individuals with heart failure: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation.

  • Callahan, K., Kitko, L., Van Scoy, L.J., & Hollenbeak, C.S. (2020). Do-not-resuscitate orders and readmission among elderly patients with heart failure in Pennsylvania: An observational study, 2011- 2014. Heart & Lung. PMID: 33010520 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2020.09.012

  • Alonso, W.W., Faulkner, K.M., Pozehl, B.J., Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L.A., & Lee, C.S. (2020). A longitudinal comparison of health-related quality of life in rural and urban recipients of left ventricular assist devices.. Research in nursing & health. PMID: 32627852 PMCID: PMC7500868 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22052

  • White-Williams, C., Rossi, L.P., Bittner, V.A., Driscoll, A., Durant, R.W., Granger, B.B., Graven, L.J., Kitko, L., Newlin, K., & Shirey, M. (2020). Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. PMID: 32349541 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000767

  • Donesky, D., de Leon, K., Bailey, A., Doorenbos, A., Fink, R., Hurd, C., Ling, P., & Kitko, L. (2020). Excellence in Postlicensure Interprofessional Palliative Care Education: Consensus Through a Delphi Survey.. Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. PMID: 31770160 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000602

  • Alonso, W., Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L., Pozehl, B., & Kupzyk, K. (2019). Adverse-Event Free Survival, Hospitalizations, and Mortality in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: A Rural-Urban Cohort Comparison. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 31365445 PMCID: PMC8381739 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000597

  • Birriel, B., Alonso, W., Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J.E. (2019). Family caregiver-reported outcomes regarding decision-making for left ventricular assist device implantation. Heart & Lung. PMID: 30981423 PMCID: PMC6589365 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2019.03.002

  • Doan, W.J., Fick, D.M., Hill, N.L., & Kitko, L. (2018). The art and science of nursing. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20181109-01.

  • Alonso, W.W., Kitko, L.A., & Hupcey, J.E. (2018). Intergenerational Caregivers of Parents With End-Stage Heart Failure.. Research and theory for nursing practice. PMID: 30567913 PMCID: PMC8381741 DOI: 10.1891/1541-6577.32.4.413

  • Walsh, A., Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J. (2018). The Experiences of Younger Individuals Living With Heart Failure. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 30273258 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000525

  • Spigelmyer, P.C., Hupcey, J., & Kitko, L. (2018). A Concept Analysis of Resistiveness to Care.. Clinical nursing research. PMID: 30019920 DOI: 10.1177/1054773818789862

  • Taylor-Piliae, R.E., Fink, A.M., & Kitko, L. (2018). Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Liaison Report. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 29634647 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000479

  • Evans, M.M., Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L. & Alonso, W. (2018). Naive Expectations to Resignation: A Comparison of Life Descriptions of Newly Diagnosed Versus Chronic Persons Living With Stage D HF. Journal of patient experience. PMID: 30214929 PMCID: PMC6134537 DOI: 10.1177/2374373517750412

  • Spigelmyer, P.C., Hupcey, J.E., Smith, C.A., Loeb, S.J., & Kitko, L. (2017). Resistiveness to Care as Experienced by Family Caregivers Providing Care for Someone With Dementia. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. PMID: 28914991 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12345

  • Dionne-Odom, J.N., Hooker, S.A., Bekelman, D., Ejem, D., McGhan, G., Kitko, L., Stromberg, A., Wells, R., Astin, M., Gok Metin, Z., Mancarella, G., Pamboukian, S.V., Evangelista, L., Buck, H.G., & Bakitas, M.A. (2017). Family caregiving for persons with heart failure at the intersection of heart failure and palliative care: a state-of-the-science review.. Heart failure reviews. PMID: 28160116 PMCID: PMC5544594 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-017-9597-4

  • Hill, N., Mogle, J., Kitko, L., Gilmore-Bykovskyi, A., Wion, R., Kitt-Lewis, E., & Kolanowski, A. (2017). Incongruence of subjective memory impairment ratings and the experience of memory problems in older adults without dementia: a mixed methods study. Aging & mental health. PMID: 28604058 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1337715

  • Alonso, W., Hupcey, J.E., & Kitko, L. (2016). Caregivers' perceptions of illness severity and end of life service utilization in advanced heart failure.. Heart & lung : the journal of critical care. PMID: 27788935 PMCID: PMC5167641 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2016.09.001

  • Alonso, W., Birriel, B., Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J.E. (2016). Response to letter to the editor: Time to integrate sexual function in the health-related quality of life of patients with left ventricular assist devices. Heart & Lung. PMID: 26916456 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2016.01.012

  • Biddle, M., & Kitko, L. (2016). Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Liaison Report: Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Award Winners 2015. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 27058860 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000334

  • Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L., & Alonso, W. (2016). Patients' Perceptions of Illness Severity in Advanced Heart Failure.. Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. PMID: 27087785 PMCID: PMC4827926 DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000229

  • Kitko, L., Hupcey, J.E., Birriel, B., & Alonso, W. (2016). Patients' decision making process and expectations of a left ventricular assist device pre and post implantation. Heart & Lung. PMID: 26742707 PMCID: PMC4779403 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.12.003

  • Hupcey, J.E., Kitko, L., & Alonso, W. (2015). Palliative Care in Heart Failure.. Critical care nursing clinics of North America. PMID: 26567500 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2015.07.007

  • Lee, C.S., Kitko, L., Biddle, M., & Riegel, B.J. (2015). Successful Mentoring Relationships: American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing.. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 26262916 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000275

  • Biddle, M., & Kitko, L. (2015). A report from the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. PMID: 25874669 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000263

  • Crouse, S.B., & Kitko, L. (2014). Outcomes of coronary artery interventions: Comparing coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with unprotected left main stenosis. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. PMID: 24170643 DOI: 10.1002/2327-6924.12078

  • Kitko, L.A., Hupcey, J.E., Pinto, C., & Palese, M. (2014). Patient and Caregiver Incongruence in Advanced Heart Failure. Clinical nursing research. PMID: 24599063 PMCID: PMC4156554 DOI: 10.1177/1054773814523777

  • Booker, S., Murff, S., Kitko, L., & Jablonski, R. (2013). Mouth care to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia. The American Journal of Nursing. PMID: 24037246 DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000435343.38287.3a

  • Kitko, L., Hupcey, J.E., Gilchrist, J.H., & Boehmer, J.P. (2013). Reply to letter to the editor. Heart and Lung: the Journal of Critical Care. PMID: 23998387 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2013.07.004

  • Kitko, L., Hupcey, J.E., Gilchrist, J.H., & Boehmer, J.P. (2013). Caring for a spouse with end-stage heart failure through implantation of a left ventricular assist device as destination therapy. Heart and Lung: the Journal of Critical Care. PMID: 23499234 PMCID: PMC5680040 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2012.10.004

  • Kitko, L.A., & Hupcey, J.E. (2013). The work of spousal caregiving of older adults with end-stage heart failure. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. PMID: 23614384 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20130415-05

  • Buck, H.G., Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J.E. (2013). Dyadic heart failure care types: Qualitative evidence for a novel typology. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. PMID: 23388704 PMCID: PMC3655126 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31827fcc4c

  • Hupcey, J.E., Fenstermacher, K., Kitko, L., & Fogg, J. (2011). Palliative needs of spousal caregivers of patients with heart failure followed up at specialized heart failure centers. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing: JHPN: the Official Journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. PMID: 21818178 PMCID: PMC3147172 DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0b013e31820ce15e

  • Hupcey, J.E., Fenstermacher, K., Kitko, L., & Penrod, J. (2010). Achieving medical stability: Wives' experiences with heart failure. Clinical Nursing Research. PMID: 20601641 PMCID: PMC3817857 DOI: 10.1177/1054773810371119

  • Kitko, L., & Hupcey, J.E. (2008). Factors that influence health-seeking behaviors of patients experiencing acute stroke. The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing: Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. PMID: 19170299 DOI: 10.1097/01376517-200812000-00004

  • Finke, E.H., Light, J., & Kitko, L. (2008). A systematic review of the effectiveness of nurse communication with patients with complex communication needs with a focus on the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Journal of Clinical Nursing. PMID: 18705734 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02373.x

Projects
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