Mei-Lan Chen

2016, PhD (Nursing), The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
1998, MSN, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
1992, BSN, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

Clinical Expertise
Dr. Chen’s clinical areas of expertise include medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, and nursing administration.  She was a staff nurse in the Internal Medicine Ward at Taipei Medical University Hospital and was a supervisor in the Department of Nursing at Sinlau Christian Hospital in Taiwan.  As a nursing supervisor at Sinlau Christian Hospital, Dr. Chen managed the Community Health Center, Intensive Care Unit, Surgery Unit, and the Maxwell Memorial Palliative Care Center.

Research Interests
Dr. Chen received her master’s degree in nursing from Taipei Medical University with a focus on exercise prescription & exercise training in patients with chronic diseases, and cardiac rehabilitation.  Her master’s thesis demonstrated the effectiveness of an exercise training in heart transplant patients using both qualitative and quantitative methods.  Dr. Chen earned her PhD degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2016.  During her PhD study, she worked with nurse scientists in a NIH-funded large R01 level study, entitled “A family-based diabetes intervention for Hispanic adults in an emerging community” (PI: Dr. Jie Hu).  Dr. Chen’s doctoral dissertation examined the effectiveness of a lifestyle-based intervention on physical activity, blood pressure, and health-related quality of life in older adults with hypertension.  Currently, Dr. Chen’s primary area of research focuses on the development of theory-based physical activity programs and lifestyle interventions to reduce health disparities in older adults, both locally and globally.

Selected Publications

Refereed Journals
Chen, M.-L. (2016). The growing costs and burden of family caregiving of older adults: A review of paid sick leave and family leave policies. The Gerontologist, 56 (3), 391-396. PMID: 25335873

Chen, M.-L., & Hu, J. (2014). Health disparities in Chinese Americans with hypertension: A review. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 1(3), 318-322. DOI:10.1016/j.ijnss.2014.07.002

Chen, M.-L., Jeng, C., Lai, Y.-H., & Wei, J. (2001). Body image change during exercise training among heart transplant patients. New Taipei Journal of Nursing, 2(3), 37-49.

Book Chapters
Chen, M.-L. (2003). Epidemiology. In L.-L.Yei et al. (Eds.), Practical public health nursing (pp. 103-125). Taiwan: Wagners.

Chen, M.-L. (2003). Environmental health. In L.-L.Yei et al. (Eds.), Practical public health nursing (pp. 401-448). Taiwan: Wagners.

Chen, M.-L., & Tseng, Y.-J. (1998). Roy’s adaptation model. In M.-S. Lu et al. (Eds.), Nursing theory and application (pp. 229- 264). Taiwan: Weyfar.

Funding
2016 – 2018: Principle Investigator, Factors Predicting Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Chinese Adults with Hypertension in Taiwan. The Ruth P. Council Research Grant, Gamma Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

 Memberships
The Gerontological Society of America
American Public Health Association
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

 Professional Service (Selected)
Manuscript Reviewer (Invited): Research on Aging (Refereed Journal), Medical Research Archives (Refereed Journal)

Awards and Honors (Selected)
2015: Professional Development Fund (PDF) Award, Graduate Student Association, The  University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2015: Predoctoral Mentees Conference Fund, TRIAD-2 Center for Health Disparities Research, School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2012 – 2014: International Student Academic Achievement Award, International Programs Center, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro