Contact Information

Biography

Linda Garand, Ph.D., R.N., GCNS-BC (board certified gerontological clinical nurse specialist) has achieved significant national recognition for her contributions to the field of geropsychiatric nursing (see Honors/Awards). She has published extensively and presents her work at Scientific Meetings and Global Consortiums. Peer and student evaluations of her teaching effectiveness are excellent. Her research focuses on preserving the mental health and well-being of family caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment (e.g. Alzheimers Disease, mild cognitive impairment, and traumatic brain injury). With support from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), she characterized the nature and level of psychiatric morbidity and burden among spouses of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a precursor to some forms of dementia), and then she conducted a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a preventive, problem-solving training (PST)-based mental health intervention with family caregivers of persons with MCI or early dementia. Relative to a comparison intervention, caregivers that received the PST intervention endorsed significantly lower burden and depression levels over one year of follow-up. Recently, Dr. Garand was awarded a U.S. Department of Defense Peer reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program Award from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Dr. Garand joined the School of Nursing as an Associate Professor in August, 2015.

Education

Post-Doc, Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Ph.D., Nursing, University of Iowa
M.S. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, University of Colorado Health Science Center
B.S. Nursing, Marymount College of Kansas
B.S. Biology, Northwest Missouri State University

Research Interests

  • Prevention research
  • Mental health of family caregivers of persons with dementia
  • Mental health of family caregivers of veterans with traumatic brain injury
  • Geriatric nursing

School

Principal Investigator (PI)

U.S. Department of Defense, Peer reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program Award (No. W81XWH-16-1-0690) from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Evidence-Based Mental Health Services for Distressed Post-9/11 Military Family Caregivers," $655,201, 9/1/2016 - 8/31/2019.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development (K23) Award (MH070719), "Prevention of Psychiatric Morbidity in AD Caregivers," $585,031, 5/2005 - 5/2010.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Advanced Center in Intervention and Services Research in Late Life Depression Prevention Seed Grant (ACISR/LLDP, P30 MH52247), "Mental Health Outcomes of Living with a Spouse with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Feasibility Study," $10,000, 4/2002 - 4/2003.

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA, F31 NRO7114), "Psychoimmunological Outcomes of a Caregiver Intervention Among Rural Women," $30,000, 8/1998 - 5/1999.

National Institute of Health (NIH), Office of Research in Women's Health (ORWH) Administrative Supplement to NINR Grant # RO1 NRO3234 (NRO3434-04S2), "Psychoimmunological Outcomes of a Caregiver Intervention Among Rural Women,"$50,000, 9/1995 - 9/1997.

Co-Investigator (Co-I)

PI: C.F. Reynolds III MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, NIMH ACISR/LLDP (P30 MH090333), Project PI: Meryl Butters, PhD, "Retaining Cognition While Avoiding Late-Life Depression (RECALL), $50, 000, 4/2011 - 4/2016.

PI: Jennifer H. Lingler, PhD University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, NIMH ACISR/LLDP Seed Grant (P30 MH52247), "Advance Care Planning in Mild Cognitive Impairment, $10,000, 8/2005 - 8/2006.

Consultant

PI: C.F. Reynolds III, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, NIMH ACISR/LLDP (P30 MH090333), Project PI Steve Albert, MD, "Depression Agency-Based Collaborative (Depression ABC)," $50,000, 4/2011 - 4/2016.

PI: Jennifer H. Lingler, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, National Alzheimer's Association New Investigator Research Grant (07-59900), "Making Sense of MCI: An Investigation of Patient and Family Perspectives," $100,000, 7/2007 - 7/2009.

Funded Research Training

2004: Research Training, NIH Regional Research Seminar, Office of Extramural Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

2003-2005: Junior Faculty Scholar, Mental Health Intervention Research Center (MHIRC), Late Life Mood Disorder (LLMD) Program (Grant # R25 MH60473, PI: C.F. Reynolds III), University Of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

2002: Alzheimer's Disease Research Training (Mini-Residency), University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC, Grant # P50 AG05133, PI: S. DeKosky), Pittsburgh, PA

2002: Research Training: NIMH Summer Research Institute (SRI) in Geriatric Psychiatry (Grant # R25 MH019946, PI: D. Jeste), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC

2000-2003: Post-Doctoral Fellow, NIMH Clinical Research Training in Geriatric Psychiatry, Mental Health Intervention Research Center (MHIRC) Late Life Mood Disorder (LLMD) Program (Grant # T32 MH19986, PI: C.F. Reynolds III), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Sample Publications:

Garand, L., Morse, J. Q., Chia, L., Barnes, J., Dadebo, V., Lopez. O. L., & Dew. M. A. (2019). Problem solving therapy reduces subjective burden levels in caregivers of family members with mild cognitive impairment or early‐stage dementia: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 34(7); 957- 965. (PMC6579659)

Garand, L., Rinaldo, D.E., Alberth M.M., Delany, J., Beasock S.L., Lopez, O.L., Reynolds II, C.F. Dew, M.A. (2013) Effects of Problem Solving Therapy on Mental Health Outcomes in Family Caregivers of Persons with a New Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 22(8), 771-781 (PMC4021000)

Garand, L., Lingler, J. H., Deardorf, K., Reynolds, C. F. III, DeKosky, S.T., Schulz, R., & Dew, M. A. (2012). Anticipatory grief in new family caregivers of persons with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 26(2), 159-165 (PMC3251637).

Garand, L., Dew, M.A., Lingler, J.H., DeKosky, S.T. (2011). Incidence and predictors of advance care planning among persons with cognitive impairment. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(8), 712-720. (PMC3145957).

Garand, L., Matthews, J.T., Courtney, K.L., Davies, M., Lingler, J.H., Schlenk, E.A., Yang, K., Bender, C.M. & Burke, L.E. (2010). Development and use of a tool to guide junior faculty in their progression toward promotion and tenure. Journal of Professional Nursing, 26(4), 207-213. (PMC3085879)

Garand, L., Dew, M.A., Urda, B., Hagerty Lingler, J., DeKosky, S.T., & Reynolds, C.F. III. (2007). Marital quality in the context of mild cognitive impairment. Western Journal of Nursing Research 29(8). 976-992 (PMC2864071).

Garand, L., Mitchell, A.M. Dietrick, A., Hijjawi, S.P., & Pan, D. (2006). Suicide in older adults: Nursing assessment of suicide risk. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 27(4), 355-370 (PMC2864075).

Garand, L., Dew, M.A., Eazor, L.R., DeKosky, S.T., & Reynolds III, C.F. (2005). Caregiving burden and psychiatric morbidity in spouses of persons with mild cognitive impairment. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(6), 1-11 (PMC2879012).

Garand, L., Buckwalter, K.C., Lubaroff, D.M., Tripp-Reimer, T., Frantz, R.A., & Ansely, T.N. (2002). A pilot study of immune and mood outcomes of a community-based intervention for dementia caregivers: The PLST Intervention. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 16(4), 156-167 (PMC2864067).

Garand, L., Buckwalter, K.C., & Hall, G.R. (2000). The biological basis of behavioral symptoms in dementia. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 21(1), 91-107 (PMC2864073).

2017: Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the Nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor societies. Phi Kapp Phi are the letters of the Greek words forming its motto; Philosophìa Krateìto Photôn or "Let the love of learning rule humanity."

2016:  Received the Duquesne University Presidential Scholarship Award for a manuscript entitled "Impact of problem solving therapy on burden outcomes in relatively new family caregivers."

2012: Springer Publishing Award ($1,000) in Geriatric/Gerontologic Nursing for a manuscript entitled "Incidence and predictors of advance care planning among persons with cognitive impairment. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(8), 712-720. Award presented at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in San Diego, CA on 11/15/12 at the "Nursing Care of Older Adults" Focus Group Meeting.

1997: Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award ($1,000), University of Iowa Office of the Provost Academic Council and the University of Iowa Center for Excellence in Teaching, School of Nursing Pathophysiology TA.

Commissioned/Invited Peer Reviewed Manuscripts

Garand, L. & Buckwalter, K.C. (1993). Essential clinical experience for the development of a subspecialty in geropsychiatric nursing. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 32(4), 27-32. Manuscript commissioned by the National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, D.C. (PMID: 8035364).

Garand, L. (2006). Recommendations for building geropsychiatric nursing science: A commentary. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 12(2), 100-104 (PMC2864483). Manuscript commissioned for the "Geropsychiatric Nursing: State of the Future Invitational Conference" (September 30/October 1, 2005) supported by the van Ameringen and Hartford Foundations, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Supported by NIMH, Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

Garand, L., Lingler, J.H., Conner, K.O., Dew, M.A. (2009) Diagnostic labels, stigma, and participation in research related to cognitive impairment. Invited manuscript for Research in Gerontological Nursing, 2(2), 112-121 (PMC2864081)