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University of Colorado College of Nursing

College of Nursing
 

Faculty Profile

Cynthia Parker, PsyD, LP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, GNP-BC, MBA

Lecturer

Cynthia.Parker@ucdenver.edu

Dr. Parker has more than thirty years of psychiatric mental health experience. She helped to pioneer one of the first settings for geriatric psychiatry in the United States. As technology impacted health care, Dr. Parker help develop and launch one of the first software systems for clinicians integrating financial and clinical information to improve care in hospitals and outpatient settings. Dr. Parker is a nursing entrepreneur having launched several companies over the past twenty years: developing a multistate high tech home care service for technology dependent children and their families; launching a national educational company focused on mental and physical health care for older adults; and developing a multistate psychiatric and mental health private practice offering traditional and telepsychiatric services. Her areas of interest include integrative and alternative health care options for individuals with chronic medical conditions and mental health issues. She believes practitioners must maintain knowledge of current research and apply that knowledge within the context of the patient’s presenting symptoms, medical, and psychosocial history.

Degree Awarding Institution Field of Study Graduation Date
PsyD Minnesota School of Professional
Psychology: Argosy University
Eagan, MN		 Clinical Psychology 2007
MS University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN		 APRN – Psych/Mental Health
APRN – Geriatrics		 2004
MBA Saint Joseph University
Philadelphia, PA		 Finance 1987
MA Washington College
Chestertown, MD 		Clinical Psychology 1978
RN MacQueen Gibbs Willis
School of Nursing
Easton, MD 		Nursing 1978
BS James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 		Biochemistry 1973
  1. Parker, C. (2006). Trait Anxiety and Alexithymia in Non-Traditional College Students Seeking Counseling Services. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Minnesota School of Professional Psychology of Argosy University/Twin Cities.
  2. Parker, C. (2004). Telephonic Behavioral Therapy: Understanding adherence in older adult females with late onset depression. Unpublished master’s thesis. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  3. Parker, C., Williams, J., & Faulkner, J. (Ed.). (2004, February). Risk Reduction Strategies for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Special Populations. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  4. Parker, C., (Ed.). (2004). Nurturing Parenting: The Skills for Success. Unpublished manuscript Minneapolis VA Medical Center. 5
  5. Parker, C., Williams, J., Feldt, K, & Faulkner, J. (Ed.). (2002, December). GastroesophagealReflux Disease (GERD): Concerns for Seniors. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  6. Parker, C., Williams, J., Feldt, K, & Faulkner, J. (Ed.). (2002, December). Geriatric Depression: Implications for Long Term Care Patients and Providers. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  7. Parker, C., (1999, June). Chronic Pain Guidelines: Interventions from evidence. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  8. Parker, C., (1999, January). Infections in Long Term Care Residents: UTIs and URIs. (Available from The GMRGroup, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  9. Parker, C., (1998, August). Wounds: Prevention and interventions for long term care. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  10. Parker, C., (1998, June). Arthritis: interventions and guidelines. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  11. Shaughnessy, M. & Parker, C., (1998, January). Older Adult Systems Overview: Resetting the Baseline. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  12. Parker, C., & Heyduk, L. (1997, January). Agitation and Dementia: Approaches that work. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA.19034).
  13. Parker, C., & Heyduk, L. (1997, January). Alzheimer’s Disease: Long Term Care Staff Make A Difference. (Available from The GMR Group, 1301 Virginia Drive, Suite 301, Fort Washington, PA. 19034).
  14. Parker, C. (1987). Financial Trends in Health Care: The Patient Return on Investment. Unpublished master’s thesis. St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  15. Parker, C. & Somers,C. (1983). Reality Orientation on a Geropsychiatric Unit. Geriatric Nursing,4(3),163-165.
  16. Parker, C. (1978). Type A Behavior: The Risks of Aerobic Exercise for Cardiac Events. Unpublished master’s thesis. Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland.
Title Organization Year
Excellence in Research National Conference Gerontological
Nurse Practitioner Conference

2004

Hartford Scholar University of Minnesota and Hartford Scholars Program

2003-2004

​2006 ​“Trait anxiety and alexithymia in non-traditional college students seeking counseling services”, principle investigator for doctoral thesis.
​2004 ​“Stroke Prevention: Nurse Practitioners Practice Model”, principle investigator, cardiovascular research.
​2004 ​“Mental Health Patients Served at the Minneapolis VA Hospital and Parenting Needs to Prevent Child Abuse”, practicum, Minneapolis VA.
​2003 ​“Adherence to a Telephonic Cognitive Behavior Therapy Program: Applying The Transtheoretical Model”, principle investigator for master’s thesis.
​1991 ​“Technology Dependent Infants and Home Care: Risks, Benefits, and Costs”,  principle investigator, demonstration project, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Healthcare Professionals, Inc.
​1983 ​“Reality Orientation on a Geropsychiatric Unit”, co-investigator, published in Geriatric Nursing, 1978.
  
  1. “Dyssomnias: How Can I Help My Clients Achieve Restorative Healthy Sleep.” Minnesota Conference of Advanced Practice Nurses 2011 Conference Bloomington, MN. November 2011
  2. “Anticoagulation Provider Rationale in Long Term Care.” National Conference of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners 2004 Conference. Phoenix, AZ. September 2004
  3. “Treatment Recognition and Interventions for Advanced Dementia.” National Conference of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners 2004 Conference. Phoenix, AZ. September 2004
  4. “Delirium: The Hidden Killer of Older Adults.” Minnesota VA Hospital. Spring 2004
  5. “Nurturing Parenting: The Skills for Success” (10 week Series). VA Medical Center. Spring 2004
  6. “Expanding the Role of Antipsychotics in the Primary Care Setting: Considerations for Safe and Appropriate Use.” American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 2002 Conference. Reno, NV. June 22, 2002
  7. “Agitation and Pain Management in Hospice Older Adults.” Good Shepard Hospice Conference. Wazahachie, TX. January, 26, 2002
  8. “Fall Prevention in Long Term Care: Implications for Providers and Surveyors” (Series). Texas Department of Health: Facility Licensing and Compliance Division. Web Based CE Program. January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2001
  9. “Chronic Pain: AGS Practice Guidelines and Implications for Surveyors and CMS Standards.” AHFSA. (Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies). October, 2001
  10. “Patient Care Strategies for Managing Early to Advanced Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Gerontologic Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Update 2001. Sponsored by Hahnemann University. Philadelphia, PA. May 13, 2001
  11. “Alzheimer’s Disease and Cholinesterase Inhibitors.” Moses Taylor Hospital Regional Eldercare Conference. Scranton, PA. October 4, 2000
  12. “Chronic Pain: Practice Guideline Implementation.” Moses Taylor Hospital Regional Eldercare Conference. Scranton, PA. October 4, 2000
  13. “Palliative Care, Pain and Older Adults.” Texas/New Mexico Hospital Convention. Albuquerque, New Mexico. September 29, 2000
  14. “Agitation and End of Life Concerns for Treatment.” Texas/New Mexico Hospital Convention. Albuquerque, New Mexico. September 29, 2000
  15. “Early Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment.” National Conference for Geriatric Nurse Practitioners. Atlanta, Georgia. September 21, 2000
  16. “Management of Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis in Older Adults.” National Conference for Geriatric Nurse Practitioners. Atlanta, Georgia. September 21, 2000
  17. “Chronic Pain, Agitation, and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Critical Triad.” Series of Workshops Janssen Eldercare LTC: Indiana; Illinois and Ohio. June 5,6,7; July 20, 11,12; and September 18,19, 20, 2000
  18. “Chronic Pain: AGS Practice Guidelines and Implications for Providers and CMS.” AHFSA. (Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies). June 2000
  19. “Agitation and Pain Management for the Dementia Patient.” Texas/New Mexico Hospital Conference. Albuquerque, New Mexico. April 7, 2000