Advancing Care Through Research

Spirit of Cooperation Drives Mary Greeley’s Nursing Research Program

It is a common belief that research is limited to major academic hospitals. Despite that misconception, research at Mary Greeley Medical Center is thriving, becoming an essential part of delivering evidence-based, high-quality care. Thanks to support from the Mary Greeley Foundation, a new Nursing Research Program is equipping nurses with the tools to explore innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes, enhance job satisfaction, and advance the field of nursing.

Launched in August 2024, the program is a collaboration between Mary Greeley and Iowa State University, designed to cultivate a culture of inquiry and continuous learning. Under the guidance of Dawn Bowker, a research consultant from ISU’s College of Human Sciences, the first cohort of five nurse researchers is exploring a wide range of critical topics—from reducing patient stress to improving nurse retention and more.

Building a Research Culture

Amy Dagestad, MBA, MSN, RN, Executive Director of Inpatient Services, is one of the five researchers in the program. She explains that as a Magnet-designated hospital, Mary Greeley has long been committed to evidence-based practice (EBP), but there was an opportunity to formalize and expand its research efforts.

“With Magnet status, we already implement best practices based on research,” Amy says. “But this program allows our nurses to contribute to that body of knowledge, ensuring we’re not just following best practices—we’re helping create them.”

Participants meet twice a month for structured coursework, covering everything from research methodology to ethics and data analysis. They will present their projects to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in March, marking the transition from planning to active research.

The program also emphasizes sharing findings on a larger scale. The team has already presented at Mary Greeley and will showcase their work at the Iowa Nurses Association Legislative Day. Plans are underway for national and even international presentations, including a research symposium in Norway this May.

Nursing Research at a Glance

Established: August 2024

Participants: 5 Nurse Researchers

Support Provided By: Mary Greeley Foundation & Iowa State University

Key Focus Areas: Patient outcomes, nurse retention, emergency care, and more

Upcoming Milestones:

• IRB approval (March 2025)
• Presentation at INA Legislative Day (March 2025)
• International Research Symposium in Norway (May 2025)

The Role of the Mary Greeley Foundation

The Mary Greeley Foundation has been instrumental in making this program a reality.

“The Foundation’s support has been crucial,” Amy says. “Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to bring in an ISU research consultant, purchase materials, or fund conference presentations. The Foundation’s investment is helping us share our work beyond Mary Greeley—potentially improving care worldwide.”

Melissa McGarry, Executive Director of the Mary Greeley Foundation, underscores the long-term impact of this investment.

“Research is essential for advancing healthcare,” Melissa says. “By funding this program, we’re investing in our nurses, our hospital, and the future of patient care.”

Partnership with Iowa State University

Mary Greeley’s collaboration with Iowa State University has played a key role in launching this initiative.

“This partnership has been incredibly smooth,” Amy says. “Not only do we have direct support from ISU faculty, but their research expertise is helping us build a framework for future nursing research at Mary Greeley.”

Through this relationship, ISU provides research guidance, academic resources, and mentorship, ensuring the nurses can successfully develop, analyze, and publish their findings.

A Model for the Future

This first-year cohort is just the beginning. The goal is to continue the program annually, allowing new nurses to engage in research while past participants mentor future cohorts.

“Our hope is to build a sustainable research culture where nurses feel empowered to ask big questions and find real solutions,” Amy says. “This is about improving care at Mary Greeley and beyond.”

Through the Mary Greeley Foundation’s support and ISU’s collaboration, this program is helping shape the future of nursing—one research project at a time.

Karleen Uitermark BSN, RN
Clinical Nurse, Oncology
Green and Blue Space Created by Virtual Reality: Reducing Stress and Anxiety Levels in Adult Neutropenic Patients  

• Studying how virtual reality green spaces impact stress reduction in leukemia patients. 

Dana Kline BSN, RN
Cancer Care Navigator, Cancer Resource Center  
Assessing the Distress Thermometer: The Patients’ Perspective  

• Examining whether the NCCN Distress Thermometer accurately captures patient psychosocial stressors. 

Stacy Peterson BSN, RNC-OB
Director, Maternal Child Services
Impact of NICU Rooming-In on Postpartum Mood Disorders  

• Investigating whether NICU rooming-in reduces postpartum mood disorders in mothers. 

Amy Dagestad MBA, MSN, RN
Executive Director of Inpatient Services
Nurse Manager Retention: Why Do Nurse Managers Stay?  

• Exploring the factors that encourage nurse managers to remain in their roles long-term.  

Jamie Warg MSN, RN, CWCN
Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse, Wound Care Clinic
WAIT! Do Longer ED Wait Times Lead to Preventable Harm?  

• Analyzing whether extended emergency department wait times increase preventable hospital-acquired harm.