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Leanne Lefler Institution-verified

Sourced from institutional research profiles (UAMS TRI or ARA).

Last refreshed 2026-03-16

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Nursing Research, College of Nursing

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Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Leanne Lefler's research focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in older women, with a specific emphasis on enhancing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. Her work also explores the modification of individual health through improvements to community health cultures. Lefler holds a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing and brings 17 years of clinical experience in cardiovascular disease care. She is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse and Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist. Currently, Lefler is an Associate Professor at UAMS, holds an adjunct appointment with the VA's Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, and serves as the Education Leader for the college’s Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. She is a fellow of the American Heart Association and contributes to national subcommittees focused on cardiovascular disease care in older adults. Lefler also serves on the Boards for the Southern Nursing Research Society and the Arkansas Action Coalition for the Future of Nursing.

Research Overview

Leanne Lefler, obtained her PhD in Nursing Science in 2006 from the UAMS College of Nursing and prior to that worked in clinical practice for 17 years caring for adults with cardiovascular disease. She is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse and Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is currently an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at UAMS, adjunct appointment to the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at the VA and holds the title of Education Leader for the college’s Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. She is a fellow in the American Heart Association and sits on their national subcommittee for the Care Of Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease. Lefler serves on other Boards for the Southern Nursing Research Society and the Arkansas Action Coalition for the Future of Nursing. She is a member of the Department of Nursing Science and has received federal funding for several research studies. Lefler’s research focuses on prevention of cardiovascular disease in older women by improving physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior. Other work includes modifying individual health by improving the culture of health within communities. Recently, Lefler received a national award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Breakthrough Nurse Leader in this regard. She has multiple publications and presentations.

Grants & Funding

  • Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence John A. Hartford Foundation Co-Investigator
  • No FP attached UAMS Internal Research Awards Principal Investigator
  • A Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Older Sedentary Women NIH Principal Investigator
  • Women’s Delay in Seeking Treatment for Myocardial Infarction Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing Research Grant Award, Kappa Rho Chapter Principal Investigator
  • A typology of heart failure patients’ preferences for end-of-life communication with healthcare providers Department of Veterans Affairs Co-Investigator
  • Using the Community Action Poverty Simulation to Teach Graduate Students about Building a Culture of Health UAMS Principal Investigator
  • Using the Community Action Poverty Simulation to Teach Graduate Students about Building a Culture of Health UAMS Principal Investigator
  • Arkansas Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence Renewal Proposal John A. Hartford Foundation Co-Investigator

Frequent Collaborators

Vincenzo, Jennifer Curran, Geoffrey

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