College of Education and Health Professions

Nan Smith-Blair, Ph.D., R.N.
Associate Professor of Nursing and Interim Director
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing

216E Ozark Hall
Phone: 479-575-5877
FAX: 479-575-3218
nsblair@uark.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D.,   School of Nursing, University of Kansas, 2000
M.S.N., Master of Science in Nursing, Northwestern State University, 1984
B.S.N., Harris College of Nursing, Texas Christian University, 1974

Teaching Areas:

Undergraduate teaching areas: Pathophysiology, critical care nursing and nursing management.
Graduate teaching areas: Advanced pathophysiology and research.

Research Interests:

Dr. Smith-Blair's research focuses on the physiologic and biochemical effects of emphysema on the development of diaphragm fatigue and therapeutic interventions to improve diaphragm contractility during diaphragm fatigue.

Professional Biography:

Dr. Smith-Blair received her B.S.N. from Texas Christian University, and an M.S.N. Northwestern State University. She completed Ph.D. studies in 2000 in nursing at the University of Kansas, where she received the Ph.D. Student award. Dr. Smith-Blair has taught in higher education since 1985 and assumed a position at the University of Arkansas in 1992. She joined the faculty of the Cellular and Molecular Biology program in 2001. Dr. Smith-Blair currently holds professional memberships in the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Southern Nursing Research Association, National Nurses Association, National League for Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.  She has 30 years of critical care nursing experience including neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care in addition to transport nursing and administrative experience.
 
Dr. Smith-Blair was awarded the Department of Nursing, Nurse of the Year Award in 1996. Additionally, she has received the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, outstanding research award in 1995,  and 2000- 2004. She has also received the Pi Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society Excellence in Research Award in 2002 and 2004. Dr. Smith-Blair was selected to present her research at the prestigious National Friends of National Institute of Nursing Research Gala in Washington, DC in 2003.  She currently is serving on the Nominations Committee for the Southern Nursing Research Society. Dr. Smith-Blair has received fellowships/ grants from the National Institute of Nursing, Southern Nursing Research Society and the Arkansas Biological Institute.

Publications/Presentations:

Smith-Blair, N., Pierce, J.D., & Clancy R. (2003). The effect of dobutamine infusion on fractional diaphragm thickening and diaphragm blood flow during fatigue. Heart & Lung; 32, 111-120.

Smith-Blair, N. (2003). Mechanisms of diaphragm fatigue. AACN Clin Issues, 13, 307-319.
 
Pierce, J.D., Clancy, R., Smith-Blair, N., & Kraft, R. (2002). Treatment and prevention of diaphragm fatigue using low dose dopamine. Biol Resear Nurs; 3, 140-149.

Smith-Blair, N., Parker, D.M., Clancy, R.L., & Pierce, J.D. (1999). Pessure-regulated olume-controlled ventilation. Australian Critical Care, 12(2), 60-64.