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Pam O'Neal, PhD, RN
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Associate Professor
Office: NB 207
Phone: 256-824-6742
Fax: 256-824-2850
pamela [dot] oneal [at] uah [dot] edu
Pam O'Neal

Clinical Expertise:

  • Nursing Research
  • Critical Care
  • Ventilator associated pneumonia

Research Interests:

  • Optimization of care of mechanically ventilated patients
  • Subglottic secretion recovery
  • Suction practices

Special Achievements/Honors/Awards:

  • 2009 Nominee for Research Utilization Award Sigma Theta Tau International
  • 2009 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing Program Fellowship Mentor
  • 2007 Recommended for Best of UAH Symposium
  • 2007 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing Program Fellowship
  • 2005 Macon State College Faculty Scholarly Activity Award
  • 2004 Nominated as Horatio Alger Alumnus of the Year
  • 2003 Awarded "Senior Mentor" Medal by Sylvia Bond Nursing Society
  • 2002 Outstanding Alumni Award Union University Schools of Nursing
  • 2001 Selected as the "Top 40 under 40 - Rising Stars in Business, Education, and Politics" in Georgia

Current Teaching Responsibilities:

  • NUR 303 - Health Assessment
  • NUR 415 - Honors Research
  • NUR 416 - Honors Seminar
  • NUR 643 - Faculty Role Development
  • NUR 670 - Epidemiology in Rural Health
  • NUR 735 - Population Health in Advanced Practice in Nursing

Education:

  • PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia
  • MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Health, University of Tennessee - Memphis Health Science Center
  • BSN, Union University, Union University, Jackson, TN
  • BS in Psychology, Union University, Jackson, TN
  • ASN, Union University, Union University, Jackson, TN

Scholarly Activities:

  • O'Neal P.V., Munro C., Grap M.J., Rausch S. (2007). Subglottic secretion viscosity and evacuation efficiency. Biological Research for Nursing, 8, (3), 202-209.
  • O'Neal P.V., McCannon M. (2003). National Survey Indicating Information Technology Skills Needed by Nurses at Time of Entry into the Workforce. Journal of Nursing Education, 42 (8), 337-340.
  • O'Neal P.V., Brown N., Munro C. (2002). Physiologic Factors Contributing to a Transition in Oral Immunity among Mechanically Ventilated Adults. Biological Research for Nursing, 3 (3), 132-139.
  • Ozcan, Y., O'Neal P.V., Mia, A. (2002). Technical Efficiency of DRG 475: Mechanical Ventilation. Journal of Medical Systems, 26 (3), 227-240.
  • Sessler, C., Gosnell, M., Grap, M.J., Brophy, G.M., O'Neal, P.V., Keene, K., Tesoro, E., Elswick, R.K. (2002). The Richmond agitation-sedation scale: Multidisciplinary testing of validity and reliability for adult ICU patients. American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, 166: 1338-1344.
  • O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J., Thompson, C.L., & Dudley, W. (2001). Level of dyspnoea experienced in mechanically ventilated adults with and without saline instillation prior to endotracheal suctioning. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 17,1-8.
  • O'Neal, P.V., Kozeny, D., Garland, P., Gaunt, S., & Gordon, S. (1998). Enhancing communication by using the coordinated care classification system. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 12 (4), 157-159.
  • O'Neal, P. V. (1994). How to Spot Early Signs of Cardiogenic Shock, American Journal of Nursing, 94 (5), 36 - 40. CEU article.

Presentations last five years:

INTERNATIONAL
  • 2008 Ng, Y.C, O'Neal P.V. Evidence-Based Practice: Support for Optimal Suctioning Procedures. Sigma Theta Tau International 19thInternational Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice in Singapore 7/2008
  • 2005 Gatins, K., O'Neal P.V., Corvey, R. Enhancing self-awareness and holistic healthcare practices through an innovative study of death and dying. International Council of Nurses 23rd Quadrennial Congress in Taipei, Taiwan 5/21-5/27/2005.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J., Munro, C., Sessler, C. Factors associated with subglottic secretion accumulation and removal among mechanically ventilated adults. Sigma Theta Tau International, Australia 7/02.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J. Critical care nurses' ability to accurately assess subglottic secretion viscosity. Sigma Theta Tau International, Australia 7/02.
NATIONAL
  • 2007 Showalter, D., Herrin K., O'Neal, P.V. Proven Formula for Success: Individualized Instructional Module and Faculty Mentoring. American Association for Colleges of Nursing Baccalaureate Educational Conference, New Orleans, LA 11/07.
  • 2006 Grap, M.J, Munro, C, O'Neal, P.V., Sole, M.L. Best Practices: Improving Outcomes of Mechanical Ventilation. Pre-conference at the National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Anaheim, CA 5/06
  • 2005 Horton, J., Browning, M., O'Neal, P.V., Raines, F.C. Building Ships to Sail into the Future: Partnership, Relationship, and Leadership. 2005 Baccalaureate Education Conference sponsored by the American Association Colleges of Nursing, Chicago, IL 12/05
  • 2005 Grap, M.J., Munro, C., O'Neal, P.V., Sole, M.L. Best Practices: Improving Outcomes in Mechanical Ventilation. Pre-conference at the National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Orlando, FL 5/05
  • 2004 Austin, V., Hudson, A., O'Neal, P.V. "Macon Music" A Collaborative Approach to Nursing Excellence. The Forum on Health Care Leadership Conference, Tomorrow's Nursing Workforce: Practical Solutions for Success. Nashville, Tennessee, 9/7-10/ 2004.
  • 2004 Grap, M.J., Munro, C, O'Neal ,P.V., Sole, M.L. VAP Prevention: Practices and Pitfalls. Preconference at the National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Orlando, FL 5/04
  • 2004 Munro, C., Sole, M.L., Grap, M.J., O'Neal, P.V. Symposium: Challenges and Opportunities in Clinical Research in Critical Care Settings. Southern Nursing Research Society, Louisville, KY 2/04.
  • 2003 Grap, M.J., Munro, C., O'Neal, P.V., Sole, M.L. Victory over VAP: Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia. Preconference at the National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, San Antonio, TX 5/03
  • 2003 McCannon, M., O'Neal, P.V. Critical Skills Needed: How IT Professionals Can Strengthen the Nursing Profession. Organizational Systems Research Association, 22nd Annual Research Conference. Las Vegas, 2/03.
  • 2002 Cranford, J., Bobo, C., O'Neal, P.V. Ensuring Success of New A.D.N. Faculty. National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Washington, DC 11/02.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J. Pilot study: Backrest Elevation and position related to subglottic secretion accumulation. National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Atlanta, GA 5/02.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J., Munro, C., Sessler, C, Minick P. Factors associated with subglottic secretion accumulation and removal among mechanically ventilated adults. National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Atlanta, GA 5/02.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J. Critical care nurses' ability to accurately assess subglottic secretion viscosity. National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Atlanta, GA 5/02.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V., Grap, M.J., Munro, C. Suction pressure and evacuation efficiency of subglottic secretions with varying viscosities obtained from mechanically ventilated National Teaching Institute American Association of Critical Care, Atlanta, GA 5/02.
REGIONAL
  • 2009 Browne, T., O'Neal, P.V. Ventilator-Associated Pnumonia Conceptual Framework. DNP Intensive Conference. University of Alabama in Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 4/2009.
  • 2009 Elmore, K., O'Neal, P.V. Knock Out Fever in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. DNP Intensive Conference. University of Alabama in Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 4/2009.
  • 2004 Munro, C., Grap, M.J., Sole, M.L., O'Neal, P.V. Challenges and Opportunities in Critical Care Clinical Research. Southern Nursing Research Society, St. Louis, KY. 2.2004
STATE
  • 2008 Back, M., O'Neal P.V., Curry, L. Suction Accuracy: Is Hospital Equipment Causing Pneumonia? 10th Annual University of Alabama and Partnership for Biotechnology Research Bioretreat 2008. Huntsville, Alabama 09/20008.
  • 2007 O'Neal, P.V. Lighting the Way. Alabama League for Nursing Lamplighter Banquet. Invited speaker. Birmingham, Alabaman, 04/2007.
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V., Warda, M. Collaboration of Schools of Nursing. Regents Subcommittee on Nursing, St. Simons, Georgia, 06/2004.
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V., Osban L. Criminal Background Checks and Substance Abuse Testing Policies. Regents Subcommittee on Nursing, St. Simons, Georgia, 06/2004.
  • 2003 O'Neal, P.V. Color Outside the Lines: Strategic Program Planning. Georgia Organization of Associate Degree Nursing. Macon State College, Macon Georgia 9/03.
  • 2002 By invitation: Brown, P. & O'Neal, P.V. Preparing beginning clinicians for the 21st century. Georgia Organization of Associate Degree Nursing. Barnesville, GA 1/11/02.
LOCAL
  • 2009 Ng, Y.C., O'Neal, P.V., Frith, K., Riley, L. Breakthrough in Safe Suctioning Practices: Suction Maching Calibration Improves Pressure Accuracy. Research Day Beta Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Huntsville, Alabama 11/20009
  • 2009 Terry, P., Witcher, A., O'Neal, P. Suction Accuracy and the Need for Clinician Education and Suction Equipment Maintenance Protocols. Research Day Beta Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Huntsville, Alabama 11/20009
  • 2009 Witcher, A., Terry, P., O'Neal, P. Assessing Clinical Practice to Improve Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. Research Undergraduate Experience Symposium. University of Alabama in Huntsville. Hunstville, Alabama 9/2009.
  • 2008 Curry, L., Back, M., O'Neal P.V. Suction Accuracy and the Need for Clinician Education and Suction Equipment Maintenance Protocols. Research Day Beta Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Huntsville, Alabama 10/20008.
  • 2008 Showalter, D., Herrin, K., O'Neal, P.V. Proven Formula for Success: Menu Selection for Learning. Sigma Theta Tau Beta Phi Chapter Research Day, Huntsville, Alabama 3/2008.
  • 2008 Ng, Y.C., O'Neal, P.V. Nuts and Bolts Of Conducting a Metasynthesis Related To Suction Practices. Sigma Theta Tau Beta Phi Chapter Research Day, Huntsville, Alabama 3/2008.
  • 2007 O'Neal, P.V. Human Subject Research and Building Research Teams. Sigma Theta Tau Beta Phi Research Day. Huntsville, Alabama, 04/2007.
  • 2005 O'Neal, P.V, Corvey, R. Making it happen at Macon State College. Georgia Organization Nursing Leaders. Macon, GA 2/2005.
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V, Corvey, R., Brown, V., Winn S. provided interview for Renee Pearman for material for MSC Today Spring 2004. Georgia Board of Nursing Grants MSC. Approval to Offer Four-year Nursing Degree: Program Begins Fall 2004.
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V. Passionate Professionalism. Nursing and Respiratory Therapy Pinning Ceremony Key Note Speaker. Macon State College, Macon, GA 5/04
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V. Research Is Not a Dirty Word. Invited speaker for Research Day during Nurse Week, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, GA. 5/04
  • 2004 O'Neal, P.V. Evidenced Based Practice: Definition, Discussion and Development. Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, GA. 2/04
  • 2003 O'Neal, P.V. Research Is Not a Dirty Word. Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, GA. 7/03
  • 2003 O'Neal, P.V. Grit, Guts, and Gumption. Key note speaker at the induction ceremony of the Pi Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau (nursing honor society) at State University of West Georgia.
  • 2003 O'Neal, P.V. Celebrating the Macon State College Difference. Rotary Luncheon. Macon State College, Macon, GA 3/03.
  • 2002 Brown, P., O'Neal, P.V. Preparing beginning clinicians for the 21st century. Walters State Community College. Morristown, TN 3/7-9/02. Consultants for curriculum development and provided a workshop.
  • 2002 O'Neal, P.V. Career Success, Gordon College, Barnesville, GA. 01/12/2002 and 2001.

Funding

RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED
  • 2009 Research Undergraduate Experience. "Suction Equipment Effectiveness". Funded for $3000.00
  • 2008 Research Undergraduate Experience. "Suction Accuracy: Is the Equipment Working?". Funded for $3000.00
  • 1999 Individual Nursing Research Award from NIH for a total of $25,305.00 for 2 years entitled "Subglottic Secretion Accumulation and Positioning." 1 F31 NRO 7491-01.
  • 1997 Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Internal Grant Award, $1,700.00 entitled "Risk Factors of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia."
  • 1996 American Association of Critical Care Nurses-Atlanta Chapter for $500.00 entitled "Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Risk Factors."

Supervision of Student Research

  • 2009 Ng, Yeow Chye. Impact of Calibration Procedure on Suction Machine Accuracy. Master's Thesis, Committee Chair.
  • 2009 Elmore, Kristy. Fever in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Doctoral of Nursing Practice Program, Committee Chair.
  • 2009 Browne, Tiffany. Prevention Interventions of Ventilator Associate Pneumonia. Doctoral of Nursing Practice Program, Committee Chair.
  • 2008 Hall, Robert. Improved Safety and Personal Security of the Older Active Female Population through Recurrent Low-Cost Intervention. Doctoral of Philosophy Program in Engineering, Committee Member.