Susan J. Appel, PhD, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, FAHA, FAANP – Capstone College of Nursing – The University of Alabama

Professor

(205) 348-1026
sjappel@ua.edu
(205) 348-5559

Education

Post-Doctoral, Molecular/Genetics, NINR Summer Genetics Institute Georgetown University, 2006
Post-Doctoral, Research Trainee, Cardiovascular Health Disparities, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Tuskegee University, 2005-2006
Post Doctoral, Clinical Research Training, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2003-2005
PhD, Nursing Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2002
MSN, Masters of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1984
BSN, Bachelor Science in Nursing, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 1982

Biography

Research Interests:

Health Disparities

Cardiometabolic Risk among Premenopausal Caucasian and African-American women
Genetics and Genetic Admixture r/t CVD (Inflammation and Dysfibrinolysis)
Telehealth
Diabetes Education for Patients and Healthcare Professionals

Clinical Interests

Women’s Health
Health Disparities
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Cardiometabolic Risk, Metabolic Syndrome and Pre-diabetes
Telehealth
Diabetes Education for Patients and Healthcare Professionals
The role of the Nurse Practitioner in acute and episodic care
Acute and episodic health issues

Dr. Susan Appel Published Works and Scholarly Achievements

Honors and Awards

Living Legend, Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA), 2023
Western Alabama Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA), 2016
Inducted: Fellow of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP), 2016
Nominee: Academic Advisors Excellence, The University of Alabama, 2013
Inducted: Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA), American Heart Association, 2010
President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009

Areas of Interest

Biomedical Sciences
Cardiovascular Health
Clinical Practice
Diabetes

Scholarly Highlights

A feasibility study for using Continuous Glucose monitoring to enhance diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and glycemic control among rural African American women Investigators: Susan J. Appel and Mudasir Andrabi (In Process)
Wadas, T.M. (PI), and Appel, S.J. (Investigator). Telomere Length, Cardiometabolic Risk and Psychological Factors among African American Women. Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) research grant award. (Funded $7,500).
Appel, S.J. (Role: Co-Investigator). Funded by NIH Exploratory NCMHD Center for Excellence P20 grant (RFAMD-08-0049): Project 1: Ghrelin, PAI-1 and their associations with adipokines and obesity indices, CVD and fat mass distribution in the Jackson Heart Study. PI: Dr. Sarah Buxbaum ($1,900,000: 2012- 2022). Project 2: Also supported by $6,000 intramural grant see sub study: {Appel, S.J. (Role: Principal Investigator). Polymorphisms, plasma levels of PAI-1 and genetic admixture among African- Americans. Total Cost: $6,000. University of Alabama Research Committee. (Dates of Award 7-1-2013 to 6-30-18).
Appel, S.J. (Role: Principal Investigator). ” Conference-Call Diabetes Educational Support Group for Older Rural African American Women.” $10,000 (Dates of award 2011-2012 no cost extension). Funded by: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Foundation and Sanofi-Aventis. Walker County Alabama: WATCH 2020 and Capstone Rural Health Clinic.
Appel, S.J. (co-investigator). Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Evaluating Navigators and Community Health Advisors on Diabetes Outcomes in Urban and Rural Alabama (ENCOURAGE).