Kathleen Ruccione, PhD
Professor, Program Director, SON PhD Program (Interim)
Phone: (626) 815-6000
Email: kruccione@apu.edu
Dr. Ruccione, Interim PhD Program Director in the Department of Doctoral Programs in the School of Nursing, has been a pediatric oncology nurse/health educator over the past 4 decades at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she led the development of innovative programs and services, including the LIFE Survivorship & Transition Program and the HOPE Resource Center for Health Education. Dr. Ruccione received her nursing diploma from the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and her BS and MPH degrees from California State University, Northridge. She completed her PhD in health behavior research at USC. Her dissertation research evaluated organ effects of transfusional iron overload and patient reported outcomes among a cohort of childhood cancer survivors. Her ongoing research interests are focused on biobehavioral issues that affect health and health-related quality of life after cancer treatment, and best practices in the empowerment/engagement of patients, families, and childhood cancer survivors through actionable and understandable health communication. Her recent research has focused on long-term relationships among nurses, health equity for deaf/hard-of-hearing adults, and the return of aggregate research results to study participants. Dr. Ruccione is committed to improving patient outcomes through excellence in the educational preparation of nurse scholars and expert clinicians.
Education
- PhD, University of Southern California, 2013
- MPH, California State University, Northridge, 1978
- BS, California State University, Northridge, 1973
- AA, Los Angeles City College, 1966
- RN, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, 1966
Credentials/Certifications
- RN, CPON, FAAN, FAPHON
Academic Area
- School of Nursing
Courses Taught
- GNRS 720 – Wellness Promotion and Health Maintenance
- GNRS 780 (Doctoral Seminar I: Elements of a Proposal and IRB Application)
- GNRS 782 (Doctoral Seminar III: Writing for Publication)
- GNRS 783 (Doctoral Seminar IV: Developing Professional Publications)
- GNRS 650 (History of Professional Nursing: From Origins to Nursing in Transition)
- GNRS 651 (History of Professional Nursing: From Colonial Times to Present Day)