UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nationally recognized nurse researcher Marie Boltz has been named the new associate dean of research and innovation in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.
Boltz assumed the role on June 1, bringing with her a wealth of expertise and a deep research portfolio. In the position, Boltz will provide strategic leadership for the Center for Nursing Research, collaborate to drive faculty research success, and enhance the college’s research infrastructure. Her appointment follows a national search and the retirement of Judy Hupcey at the end of June 2024.
“We are thrilled with the appointment of Dr. Boltz to this critical role. Marie’s vision and expertise are tremendous assets as we continue to expand our college’s research-driven impact,” said Laurie Badzek, dean of the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing. “Marie is a powerhouse, and the college is so fortunate to have her leadership and support.”
Prior to her appointment, Boltz served as a professor of nursing and the interim dean for research and innovation. Further, she holds the Elouise Ross Eberly and Robert Eberly Endowed Professorship and serves in a leadership role for the Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.
Boltz’s research centers on improving care for older adults, particularly those living with dementia and multiple co-morbidities. She developed a framework for multi-component interventional work that has spawned multiple research studies conducted by other researchers focused on systemic strategies to improve the care and experiences of vulnerable older adults and their families. Her research has also focused on reducing functional decline in older adults across settings through the development and implementation of evidence-based, person- and family-centered care models and strategies. Boltz currently collaborates with engineering and informatics on AI-assistive devices and digital care delivery. Her work has significantly influenced gerontological care, been replicated internationally, and continues to shape national approaches to dementia care and healthy aging.
Her research has been continuously funded, with support from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Nursing Research, the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as other nationally recognized foundations.
Boltz’s scholarship has been recognized with invited service on multiple grant review panels, national and international workgroups/taskforces; and several research and writing awards. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the Gerontological Society ofAmerica (GSA). Boltz was honored with the Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award by GSA, a prestigious honor presented to a scholar who has a record of outstanding and sustained contribution to geriatric nursing research. In 2022, Boltz was awarded the Nightingale Nursing Research Award in recognition of her commitment to excellence in nursing research. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Geriatrics Society and has recent service on the boards of GSA and the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence.
Boltz earned her doctorate from New York University and completed post-doctoral work in interventional research at the University of Maryland, further advancing her expertise in evidence-based approaches to geriatric care. She also holds a master of science in nursing with a specialization as a geriatric nurse practitioner from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor of science in nursing from LaSalle University.