Welcome to the Aging/Gerontology RIIG

The Aging/Gerontology Research Interest and Implementation Group (RIIG) is committed to facilitating the advancement of research for the care of older individuals. We recognize the importance of the nurse scientist’s role in providing older adults with high quality care through knowledge gained by research. More and more people are living longer, resulting in an unprecedented increase in the population of older adults in the United States and throughout the industrialized world. As the numbers of aged increase, so does the need for new and innovative approaches to guide and promote the care of healthy, chronically ill, and frail older people. We provide a forum for nurses and other healthcare providers interested in networking in the Southern Region of the U.S. to meet and connect, share information, promote best practices, identify nursing leadership, and link these together to build capacity for advancing the care of older adults.

Chair: Eunice Ojo, DNP, RN, CV-BC, PCCN
Graduate Teaching Assistant

Eunice Ojo is a Ph.D. nursing student at the University of Central Florida, Orlando Florida. Her research areas are focused on 1) Technology-based fall risk assessment and interventions among older adults and 2) Health disparities in fall prevention among cognitively impaired and minority older adults. As a young researcher with a great desire to advance in nursing research, Eunice was awarded the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship in July 2022 for the Ph.D. program. In pursuit of her dream which she has nurtured since growing up in high school, she received a grant award from Theta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International to conduct a study on Technology-based fall risk assessments among older adults with Alzheimer’s disease” in her first year of the Ph.D. program. She is successfully working on this study including a presentation of the findings at the 2024 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) conference in Charlotte NC. Eunice is a Mentee of Administrative Supplement for Mentorship and Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Biomedical Sciences (R01MD018025) under the mentorship of Dr. Ladda Thiamwong where she’s involved in data collection and publication. Eunice takes scholarship seriously which she demonstrates through research and presentations at local, national, and international nursing conferences and publication of research outcomes. She demonstrates and promotes academic excellence and integrity in her work and with the students she supports as a graduate teaching assistant. She is committed to mentoring nursing students, especially minority individuals who are currently underrepresented in the nursing workforce, and supporting young nurses in the US and Nigeria.

RIIG Awards and Eligibility Criteria

The overall purposes of the Aging/Gerontology Research Interest and Implementation Group (RIIG) awards are to recognize excellence in gerontological nursing research and to provide recognition for the work performed by our RIIG members. We encourage those who meet the criteria (following) to apply by sending your CV, and a letter of nomination to the Aging/Gerontology RIIG Chair and Co-Chair at least one month before the SNRS annual conference.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications:
• Progression in their program (publications, presentations, completed pilot work, success in receiving funding).
• The theoretical underpinnings and methodology used to examine the problem addressed in this study, including: Innovativeness of the methodology or theoretical approach.
• Potential for establishing a program of research in gerontological science.
• The potential impact of the program of research for understanding a clinical problem.

1. Rising Investigator Award
Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a rising investigator who has conducted gerontological nursing research that has the potential to enhance the science and practice of gerontological nursing.

2. Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a mid-career investigator who has conducted gerontological nursing research that enhances the science and practice of gerontological nursing

3. Distinguished Dissertation Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a rising student-investigator who is conducting a dissertation in the area of gerontological nursing research that has the potential to enhance the science and practice of gerontological nursing.

We offer networking opportunities, peer support, and inspiration to others interested in this area of work and research. We encourage all members to participate. We welcome all interested parties in our area of work–researchers, clinicians, academicians, and students to our RIIG. If you have questions about signing up for a RIIG, please email info@snrs.org.