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University of Colorado College of Nursing

College of Nursing
 

Faculty Profile

Eileen C. Thomas, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor

Eileen.Thomas@ucdenver.edu

For the past 10 years, Dr. Thomas has worked as a public/community health nurse in the areas of school nursing, hospice, home health care, and primary care of US/global indigent populations. Her interests in health promotion and disease prevention led her to explore health disparities in cancer screening among different racial/ethnic minority groups. For almost a decade, her program of research has focused on White, Hispanic, African American, and American Indian women’s mammography-screening behaviors. Findings from her qualitative research led to the identification of the Breast Conflict model and the development of a new predictive instrument that should be useful in identifying women who may not follow recommended mammography-screening guidelines. The next phase in the development of this instrument will focus on predictive validity within and across diverse racial/ethnic groups.

Recently Dr. Thomas expanded her research focus to include men’s knowledge and beliefs pertaining to colorectal, prostate, and male breast cancer. Knowledge gained from this study will aid in the development of educational interventions that address masculinity and gender specific issues. Dr. Thomas developed and teaches the Global Health course, a graduate-level elective designed to increase awareness of global health issues. She recently completed certification for international public health and is making plans to travel to an underdeveloped country within the next few years. 

Degree Awarding Institution Field of Study Graduation Date
PhD University of Colorado Denver
Denver, Colorado		 Nursing 2003
MS University of Colorado Denver
Denver, Colorado		 Community Health Nursing 1994
BS University of Colorado Denver
Denver, Colorado		 Nursing 1990
AS Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough County, Florida.		 Nursing 1977
Title Organization Year
NCMHD Health Disparities Scholar NIH 2005
Research  Award Sigma Theta Tau 2003
PhD Student Leadership Award University of Colorado 2003
Chancellor's Award  University of Colorado Scool of Nursing 2000
Outstanding Patient Educator DVAMC 1990
Health Professional Scholarship Veterans Administration 1989
  1. Thomas, E., Escandon, S., Lamyian, M., Ahmadi, F., Setoode, S. M., & Golkho, S. (in review). Exploring Iranian Women’s Perceptions Regarding Control and Prevention of Breast Cancer. The Qualitative Report.
  2. Thomas, E. (in press) Men’s knowledge and awareness of male breast cancer. American Journal of Nursing.
  3. Thomas, E. (2010) Ring of silence: A paradox of womanhood. Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8383-3283-3
  4. Thomas, E., & Usher, L. (2009) One more hurdle to increasing mammography screening: Pubescent, adolescent, and prior mammography screening experiences. Women’s Health Issues, 19(6), 425-433. NIHMS141846  PMCID: PMC2783289
  5.  Magilvy, J. K., & Thomas, E. (2009). A First Qualitative Project: Qualitative descriptive design for novice researchers. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 14(4), 298-300.
  6. Kang, H. S., Thomas, E., Kwon, B. E., Hyun, M. & Jun, E. M. (2008) Korean women’s attitudes toward mammography screening. Healthcare for Women International, 29(2), 151-164.
  7. Thomas, E. (2006). Ring of Silence: African American women’s experiences related to their breasts and breast cancer screening. The Qualitative Report, 11(2), 350-373.
  8. Thomas, E. C. (2004). African American women’s breast memories, cancer beliefs, and screening behaviors. Cancer Nursing, 27(4), 295-302
  9. Thomas, E. C. (2003). Ring of silence: A paradox of womanhood. Doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder (UMI AAT3086281).

  • 2008-2009 Men’s Knowledge and Awareness of Male Breast Cancer.
    Funding: University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing Intramural Award. 
    GOAL: To identify men who may be at high risk for developing breast cancer and explore their awareness and knowledge of breast cancer in men.
  • 2007-2008 Women’s Breast Conflict Scale. University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing Research
    Funding: University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing Research Award
    GOAL: To test the content validity of a new instrument developed to identify women least likely to participate in mammography screening.
  • 2005-2007 Past Experiences and Current Mammography Behaviors.
    Funding: NIH/NINR
    GOAL: To explore women’s experiences across the life span related to their current mammography screening behaviors.
  • February 2010 - Cancer Screening Knowledge and Beliefs of African American and Hispanic Males
  • June 2010 - Psychometric Evaluation of a Predictive Mammography Screening Instrument