Laura Pittiglio, PhD., RN

Dr. Laura Pittligio has been a faculty member at Oakland University since 1999. Her research interests include coping mechanisms of African American mothers who are living with HIV/AIDS and sexual risk-taking behaviors that put young African American women in jeopardy of contracting HIV. As a certified HIV Test Counselor, Dr. Pittiglio implemented a free HIV and syphilis screening program on campus. Additionally, she continues to examine the impact of simulation on student outcomes.

Education

• PhD in Nursing – Wayne State University
• MSN in Adult Primary Carecollee – Wayne State University
• BSN – Wayne State University

Research Area Interests

• The Impact of Learned Helplessness on Sexual Risk Taking Behaviors Among Adolescent and Young African American Females
• Sexual Risk Taking Behaviors in Adolescent and Young Adult African American Women
• HIV Infected Mother's Coping Strategies
• Simulation and Patient Outcomes 

Research/Publications

• Publications
  • Pittiglio, L., (2017). Learned helplessness and sexual risk taking in adolescent and young adult African American females. AIDS Patient Care & STD’s, 31(8), Doi: 10.1089/apc.2017.0052
  • Vendittelli, D., Penprase, B., & Pittiglio, L.(2016). Musculoskeletal injury prevention for new nurses. Workplace Health & Safety, 64(12), 573-585. doi:10.1177/2165079916654928
  • Penprase, B., Johnson, A., Pittiglio, L.,Pittiglio, B. (2015).  Does mindfulness-based stress reduction training improve nurse satisfaction? Nursing Management, 46(12), 38–45. Doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000470772.17731.e6
  • Harris, M., Pittiglio, L.,Newton, S., & Moore, G. (2014). Simulation Methodology to Improve Medication Administration in BSN Students. Nursing Education Perspectives.                

• Pittiglio, L.,(2013). The correlation between self-esteem and risky sexual behaviors in young African American women. Journal of AIDS and Clinical Research. doi: 10.4172/2155-6113.S1.002
• Newton, S. E., Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.(2013). Constructivist Philosophy and Nursing Student Medication Calculations. Research & Theory For Nursing Practice, 27(2), 88-94. doi:10.1891/1541-6577.27.2.88
• Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.Simulation Clinical Competencies: High Stakes Evaluation of Performance. Abstract accepted for publication in the NLN Technology Conference Proceedings.
• Pittiglio, L.,Jackson, F., & Florio, A. (2012). The Relationship of Self Esteem and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Young African American Women. Journal of the National Black Nurses’ Association: JNBNA, 23(1), 16-20.
• Jackson, F. & Pittiglio, L.(2012). Reducing HIV/AIDS in Michigan African American Young Adult Women. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care: JANAC, 23 (6), 521-530.
• Pittiglio, L., Harris, M. & Mili, F. (2011). Development and evaluation of a 3-D virtual hospital unit: VI-MED. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing,29 (5). doi: 10.1097/NCN.0b013e31822ef46
• Jackson, F. (PI), & Pittiglio, L.Reducing HIV/AIDS in Michigan African American Young Adult Women. Report submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (December, 2010).
• Newton, S., Moore, G., Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.(2010). The effect of context on nursing student math aptitude. Journal of Professional Nursing. 26, 341-345.
• Pittiglio, L., & Hough E., (2009). Coping with HIV: Perspectives of Mothers. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care: JANAC, 20(3), 184-192.
• Newton, S., Harris, M., Pittiglio, L., & Moore, G. (2009). Nursing student math aptitude and success on a medication calculation assessment. Nurse Educator, (34)2, 80-83.
• Mili, F., Barr, J., Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.(2008). Nursing Training: 3D Game with Learning Objectives. Proceedings of The First International Conference on Advances in Computer-Human Interaction, Sainte Luce, Martinique, 236-242.
• Vallerand, A., Hough, E., Pittiglio, L., & Marvicsin, D. (2005). The Process of Disclosure between positive women and their HIV negative children. AIDS Patient Care & STDs, (19)2, 100-109.
• Pittiglio, L. (2000). Use of Reminiscence Therapy in Patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Lippincott’s Case Management, 5(6): 216-220.

• Presentations (Refereed)
  • Dereski, M.O., Pittiglio, L., Lerchenfeldt, S., Patel, V.K., & Dalal, B. (2017). Integration of Simulation Early in Undergraduate Medical Education Enhances Student Critical Thinking, submitted for presentation at the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) for the 2018 annual meeting.
  • Pittiglio, L.(2017). Does Learned Helplessness Facilitate Sexual Risk Taking Behaviors Among African American Young and Adolescent Females? Accepted for oral presentation at the 5th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs, and STIs, Las Vegas, USA.
  • Pittiglio, L. (2017). Learned Helplessness & Sexual Risk Taking in Adolescent African American Females. Accepted for a poster discussion presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 41st Annual Research Conference, Minneapolis WN.
  • Dereski,M.O., Pittiglio, L., Lerchenfeldt, S., Dalal, B (2015). Assessing the Impact of Interprofessional Clinical Simulation, submitted for poster or oral presentation to AAMC for the 2016 Medical Education meeting.
  • Pittiglio, L., (2013). The correlation between self-esteem and risky sexual behaviors in young African American women. Accepted for Paper Presentation at the International 151st OMICS Group Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs & STIs, Orlando, FL.
  • Pittiglio, L., & Harris, M. (2012). VI-MED Simulation and Training System. Abstract submitted for presentation at The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 3rd Annual Serious Games and Virtual Environment Showcase and Arcade, Orlando, Florida.
  • Pittiglio, L., & Jackson, F. (2012). The Correlation between Self Esteem and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Young African American Women. Accepted for Poster Presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 37th Annual Research Conference, Chicago, Ill.
  • Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.(2012). Quantitative Evaluation of Acute Care Simulation Competencies. Abstract accepted for Poster Presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 37th Annual Research Conference, Chicago, Ill.
  • Penprase, B., Johnson, A., Pittiglio, L., Oakley, B., & Grant, T. (April, 2012). Understanding Relationship of Stress Reduction through Effects of MBSR Training for Health Care Providers. Abstract accepted for Poster Presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 36th Annual Research Conference, Dearborn, MI.
  • Harris, M. & Pittiglio, L.(2012, April). Medication Error Surveillance of Undergraduate Nursing Students in the Clinical Setting, Abstract accepted for Poster Presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 36th Annual Research Conference, Dearborn, MI.
  • Newton, S., Harris, M., Pittiglio, L., & Moore, G. (2011, March) Simulation technology, medication calculation, and theory development. Symposium at Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) 35th Annual Research Conference, Columbus, Ohio.
  • Harris, M., & Pittiglio, L.(2010, June). Developing simulation to bolster student competency with medication administration. Poster presented at the Drexel University Nursing Education Institute, Myrtle Beach, SC.
  • Harris, M., Pittiglio, L., Newton, S., & Moore, G. (2010, May). Medication administration exam: Simulation as a new tool. Poster Presented at the Fourth Annual Conference on Teaching and Learning: Student Engagement at Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L., Harris, M. & Mili, F. (2009, November). Design and effectiveness of a 3-D virtual hospital unit: A pilot study. Paper presented at the 40th Biennial Convention, Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Harris, M. & Pittiglio, L.(2009). Technology enhanced presentation of diabetes across the lifespan. Paper presented at the Lilly Conference: College and University Teaching and Learning. Traverse City, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L., Harris, M., & Mili, Fatma. (2008, June). VI-MED: Virtual Hospital Environment with Implications for Nursing Education. Poster presented at the Drexel University Nursing Education Institute, Atlantic City, NJ.
  • Harris, M., Pittiglio, L., & Mili, F. (2008, May). Nursing education through gaming, VI-MED: Virtual hospital environment for nursing education. Poster presentation at the 2nd Annual International Conference on Teaching and Learning: Creative & Critical Thinking at Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L., Moore, G., Francisco, N., Harris, M., Ketcham, P., & Baker, D. (2008, May). Bringing simulation to life: A creative approach to promote critical thinking. Paper presented at the 2nd Annual International Conference on Teaching and Learning: Creative & Critical Thinking at Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L. (November, 2007). Coping with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Mothers, presented for Session Speaker at the Association for Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) 20th Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Ketcham, P., Pittiglio, L., & Harris, M. (2007, June). Faculty Collaboration: A Key Strategy for the development & Use of Simulation Scenarios. Poster session presented at the AACN: Hot Topics Conference, Denver, CO.
  • Pittiglio, L. (April 2, 2006). Coping with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Mothers. Poster presentation at Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference (MNRS) Milwaukee, WI.
  • Pittiglio, L. (March 23, 2005). Coping with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Mother’s Poster presentation presented at Wayne State University, College of Nursing Research Day.
  • Vallerand, A., Hough, E., Pittiglio, L., & Marvicsin, D., (February 29, 2004). The Process of Disclosure Between HIV Positive Mothers and Their Children, presented for Competitive Symposia at Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference (MNRS), St. Louis, MO.
• Presentations (Invited)
  • Pittiglio, L. (2017, April 11th). African American Women’s increased Vulnerability to the HIV Epidemic. Presented for Sigma Theta Tau, Theta Psi Chapter 14th Annual Research Day, Rochester, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L. (2017, March 17th). Learned Helplessness. Presented for National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Detroit, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L. (2012, November 15). Reducing HIV/AIDS in Michigan African American Young Adult Women [Audio podcast].
  • Jackson, F., Pittiglio, L., & Johnson, C. (August 22, 2012). Evaluation of Ryan White Part A Services. Presented for Southeastern Michigan HIV/AIDS Council (SEMHAC), Warren, MI.
  • Pittiglio, L. (March 23, 2011). Coping with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Mothers presented at Authors at Oakland: A Celebration of the Journal at Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
  • Harris, M., Pittiglio, L., & Mili, F. (2009, January). Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Gaming for an Online Learning Experience. Paper presented at the New Century Learning Consortium Online Faculty Brown-bag.
  • Pittiglio, L. (2008). Coping with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Mothers presented at HIV/AIDS: Impact on the African American Community Lecture at Oakland University, Rochester, MI. 

Professional Affiliations

• Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing
• Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• National League for Nursing