Jo Ann A. Otts, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP

Education 

• DNP – Executive Leadership, Loyola University New Orleans, 2017
• MSN – Health Care Systems Management, Loyola University New Orleans, 2015
• BA, Healthcare Administration, Graceland University, 1998
• ASN, Louisiana Tech University, 1979

Specialized Training

• Clinical & Translational Science Training Program, University of Alabama - Birmingham. 2020. Certificate
• Joanna Briggs Institute, Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program: Qualitative Research. June 24, 2016. Certificate 
• Joanna Briggs Institute, Comprehensive Systematic Review Training: Quantitative Research. October 21, 2015. Certificate 
• Joanna Briggs Institute, Comprehensive Systematic Review Training: Introduction to Evidence-Based Healthcare. October 19, 2015. Certificate 
• Six Sigma Black Belt Training. American Society of Quality. 2002. Certificate

Research Interests 

• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Health Equity 
• Community Engagement
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning
• Academic Practice Partnerships
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Teaching and Learning
• Pressure Injury Prevention and Technology
• Health Policy Related to Chronic Kidney Disease
• Public Policy Impacting the Nursing Workforce

Selected Publications 

• Riley, B. H., Pittman, J., Otts, J. A., & Mulekar, M. S. (2023). Key stakeholders' perspectives: A gap analysis of hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 00, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12940
• Otts, J., Pittman, J., Riley, B., Mestas, L., Hall, H. (2023). Academic-practice partnership to prevent and manage pressure injuries: An evidence-based quality improvement initiative. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. 50(6), 463–473. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000001019
• Pittman, J., Otts, J.A., Riley, B., Mulekar, M. S. (2022) Pressure injury prevention and management: A gap analysis using key stakeholder engagement. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. 49(4), 416-427. https:// doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000906
• Thompson, C. N., Otts, J. A. A., Stuart, W. P., McMullan, T. W., & Williams, D. S. (2022). Trauma-informed pedagogy to foster resilience in graduate nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(5), 303-305. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.Nep.0000000000001006  
• Otts, J. A. (2020). Professional issues: Nephrology nursing ethics. In C. S. Counts (Ed.), Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing (7th ed., Vol. 1): American Nephrology Nurses Association. https://www.annanurse.org/core-curriculum-nephrology-nursing
• Hampton, D., Culp-Roche, A., Hensley, A., Wilson, J., Otts, J.A., Thaxton-Wiggins, A., Fruh, S., Moser, D. K. (2020) Self-efficacy and satisfaction with teaching online courses. Nurse Educator, 45(6). https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000000805 
• Culp-Roche, A., Hampton, D., Hensley, A., Wilson, J., Thaxton-Wiggins, A., Otts, J. A., Fruh, S., & Moser, D. K. (2020). Generational differences in faculty and student comfort with technology use. SAGE Open Nursing, 6. https://doi.org/10.1177/2377960820941394  See less
   

Research 

Ongoing Research Support

• University of South Alabama Grant, Leveling Education and Social Support Resources to Advance Professional Nursing Practice (LEAP). (2023-2027). (Role: Lead Professional Mentor and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activity Coordinator).                      This grant aims to enhance the education, practice quality, and retention of LPNs/LVNs from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in nursing, for career advancement through preparation for future registered nurse (RN) practice and qualification for future professional leadership roles. 
• Mobile County Health Department and USA College of Medicine’s Center for Healthy Communities Grant, CDC Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) (2023-2024). (Role: Evaluation Director).                                    This grant aims to form a coalition of community-based organizations to build a workforce of Community Health Workers in Mobile County to support communities that struggle with health disparities and have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. See less

Completed Research Support

• Pittman, J., Otts, J., Enhanced Skin Assessment Methodology to Equitably Detect Early Tissue Damage and Pressure Injuries in the Acute Care Setting. (June 10, 2022 - June 9, 2023) Bruin Biometrics Grant. (Role: Co-investigator). This study aimed to evaluate enhanced skin assessment methods for early identification and staging of tissue damage in individuals with dark skin tones.
• Pittman, J., Otts, J., Riley, B., Haskins, K., Mestas. L. (August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021). Pressure Injury Prevention and Management: A Gap Analysis using Key Stakeholders Perspective. Smith + Nephew Grant. Funded. (Role: Co-investigator). This study aimed to examine pressure injury prevention and management practices in an academic acute care setting through key stakeholder engagement to develop a gap analysis instrument and conduct a gap analysis of current practice.
• Guy, M., Stauter, K., Selwyn, C., Otts, J.A., Ridner, S., Bridging the Gap: Raising Awareness about Diversity and Inclusion in the Teaching Environment. (August 1, 2021 – July 30, 2022) Sigma Theta Tau International. Funded. (Role: Co-investigator). This grant aimed to provide an education site created to increase diversity and inclusion awareness among faculty and staff, with data collection from participants.

Teaching

Doctoral Courses

• NU 613 Organizational & System Leadership
• NU 661 DNP Project Planning & Development Progression
• NU 662 DNP Nurse Executive Administration Residency I
• NU 663 DNP Nurse Executive Administration Residency II
• NU 664 DNP Nurse Executive Administration Residency III

Graduate Courses 

• Course Coordinator, NU 607 Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice
• Program Coordinator, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare Post-graduate Certificate
• HSC 504 Leadership and Change Management Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• NU 566 Nursing Administration Field Study
• NU 567 Nursing Administration Internship
• NU 568 Nursing Administration Seminar
• HSC 571 Managing Health Care Personnel
• NU 607 Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice. Course Coordinator
• NU 608 Evidence Based Practice & Quality Improvement in Health Care Systems
• NU 610 Health Policy and Finance

Undergraduate Courses

• NU 499 NU Honors Senior Project

Honors and Awards

• First Place Poster Award, National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, 2023.
• Daisy Award for Faculty Nominee, USA College of Nursing, 2022
• Excellence in Teaching Award, USA College of Nursing, 2021
• Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholar Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Nursing, 2017
• MSN - Health Care Systems Scholar Award, Loyola University New Orleans College of Nursing, 2015
• Induction, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing, 2015
• Distinguished Alumnus Award, Louisiana Tech University College of Life Sciences, 1989
• Outstanding Nursing Graduate Award, Louisiana Tech University College of Nursing, 1979
• Academic Achievement Award, Louisiana Tech University College of Nursing, 1979

Certifications

• Nurse Executive, Advanced – Board Certified 2015 – 2025 American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Certified, Executive Nursing Practice 2021 – 2025 National Commission for Certifying Agencies   

Affiliations

• Alabama State Nurses Association
• American Nurses Association
• American Nephrology Nurses Association
• American Organization of Nurse Leaders
• Gulf Coast Organization of Nurse Leaders
• National Kidney Foundation
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Zeta Gamma Chapter