Rozmin B.  Jiwani, PhD, RN

Rozmin Jiwani (PhD, RN) is a nurse-scientist with clinical and research background in patients living with chronic conditions. These experiences led her to pursue a PhD to advance her understanding of the impact of chronic conditions, the role of modifiable behaviors, and identifying barriers to help improve quality of life. Her dissertation project, using a mixed-methods design, examined illness perception and coping behaviors related to coronary artery disease (CAD) among high-risk South Asians living in the US. The findings from this project identified the population-specific barriers, impact of modifiable behaviors in the progression of CAD, and laid the foundation to develop a culturally tailored intervention. To expand her chronic conditions research experience in aging and geriatrics, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship supported by the Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. During the fellowship, she focused on the role of obesity, insulin resistance, and frailty. She was then selected as an RL5 Scholar through San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Center and received a competitive RL5 pilot award. With expanding interest in geroscience, her goal is to develop interventions to reduce frailty, identify barriers to reduce the impact of chronic conditions, and improve healthspan. 

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 2013 - Doctor of Philosophy - Nursing - The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 2009 - Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing - The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 2005 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing - The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1993 - DPL - Nursing - The Aga Khan University
  • 1993 - DPL - Nursing - The Aga Khan University
  • Nursing - The University of Texas Health Science Center

  Highlights

  Licensures and Certifications

  • Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Advance Practice Nursing Adult Medical Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Registered Nurse (Texas)

  Honors and Awards

  • 2022, Transformational Leadership in Research Award at the 3rd Annual Gala of San Antonio Indian Nurses Association
  • 2020, Rosemary Kerr McKevitt Memorial Research Award 
  • 2020, Postdoctoral Geriatric Research Fellow: Postdoctoral Geriatric Research Fellow from the South Texas Veterans Health Care Systems

  Appointments

  • 2021 - present - Associate Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio, School of   Nursing
  • 2021 - present - Research Health Scientist at Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers - South Texas Veterans Health Care System
  • 2016 - 2021 - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2017 - 2020 - Advanced Geriatric Fellow - South Texas Veterans Health Care System
  • 2013 - 2016 - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio, Department of Health Restoration and Care Systems Management

• Instruction & Training

  • 2016 - Present, NURS 3272-001 Health Assessment and Promotion: Theoretical Foundations, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2016 - 2021, NURS 3204 Health Assessments: Theoretical Foundations, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2016, NURS 3110 Health Assessments: Clinical Assessments, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2016, NURS 4420 Trans to Professional Nursing Practice, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2015 - 2016 , NURS 6110 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2015 - 2016 , NURS 6210 Advanced Hlth Assessment & Clinical Reasoning, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
  • 2015, NURS 5338, Advance Pathophysiology, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing

• Research & Grants

  Grants

  Currently Funded:  

  • R01 AG052697. Espinoza (PI). 06/01/2017-04/30/2022. Metformin for Preventing Frailty in High Risk Older Adults. The major goal of this study is to test metformin as a novel intervention for the prevention of frailty. We propose that diabetes/insulin resistance and inflammation are major contributors to frailty and that metformin given to modulate diabetes/insulin resistance and inflammation will prevent and/or ameliorate the progression of frailty. Role: Co-Investigator 
  • Merit Review Award. Veterans Affairs. Ryan/Ortmeyer/Serra (MPI). 07/2020-06/2025. Promotion of Successful Weight Management in Overweight and Obese Veterans. This study will examine the impact of intermittent fasting to promote long-term body weight maintenance following successful weight loss in overweight and obese Veterans. Role: Co-Investigator 
  • ThriveWell Cancer Foundation. Patel (PI). 01/2019-2024. A pilot, open label randomized controlled trial of exercise ± creatine supplementation to augment the adaptations of exercise training in breast cancer survivors completing chemotherapy. Role: Co-Investigator 

   

  Completed Research/Projects: 

  • Claude D. Pepper Center Pilot Award (NIA), Jiwani (PI). 09/2019-Present. Effect of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study. Role: PI 
  • Sigma Theta Tau Research Grant, Jiwani (PI), 12/01/11-7/01/13. This grant supported my dissertation. Illness Perceptions, Coping Behaviors, and Appraisal of South Asian Immigrants with Coronary Artery Disease: A Mixed Methods Study. Role: PI 
  • Academic Affairs Research Grant from UTHSCSA, Jiwani (PI), 12/01/11-7/01/13. This grant supported my dissertation. Illness Perceptions, Coping Behaviors, and Appraisal of South Asian Immigrants with Coronary Artery Disease: A Mixed Methods Study. Role: PI. Nursing Advisory Council Research Grant from UTHSCSA, Jiwani (PI), 07/01/15-1/01/16. The goal is to conduct an integrative review to aggregate important measures on the impact of multiple behavioral lifestyle interventions, especially culturally tailored, to reduce or prevent cardiovascular disease risk factors in the South Asian population. Role: PI 

  Educational Grant/ Clinical Demonstration Project  

  • 2021 - present  VIONE – as a multidisciplinary team, we offer a systematic approach to improve medication management with an emphasis on deprescribing nonessential medications across various health care settings, facilitating Veterans Health Administration efforts toward zero harm.  
  • 2021 - present  GRECC Connect – a virtual program that aims to improve access to geriatric care for Veterans in rural areas. This project links geriatrics specialists from GRECCs (Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers) with rural areas through clinical videos telehealth, electronic consultations, and educational teleconferences to bridge the gap. I conduct comprehensive geriatric assessments over the phone and initiate appropriate referrals for the veterans (i.e., PT, OT, social worker, palliative care, etc.). 
  • 2021 - present  Gerofit – a program promoting exercise and health for older veterans to stay active by using a variety of strength and aerobic exercises. Participants in the program have demonstrated improved health, mental, and physical function, and well-being.  
  • 10/2018 - 01/2019  I contributed to a GRECC-funded clinical demonstration project to develop educational modules about congestive heart failure for patients and caregivers to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions. 

  Pending Submissions: 

  • 2022, Funder: NIA (K23) Grant # K23AG071854. Dollars: $410,666.00. Title:  Mobile Health Enhanced Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Frailty in Overweight/ Obese Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Role: PI 

  Submitted and Not Funded or Unfunded Research/Projects: 

  • 2022 Funder: Clinical and Translational Science. Dollars: $150,000.00. Title: Sedentary Behaviors Modification to Improve Adherence to Daily Energy Expenditure Recommendations. Role: PI 
  • 2021 Funder: Betty Irene Moore Fellowship. Dollars: $150,000.00. Title:  Technology-Enabled Lifestyle Intervention Program to Reduce Sedentary  Behavior in Older-Adults.
  • 2020 Funder: NIA (K23) Grant # K23AG071854. Dollars: $410,666.00. Title:  Mobile Health Enhanced Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Frailty in Overweight/ Obese Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Role: PI 

  Teaching Projects 

  • 2021,Taught 12-lead EKG interpretation to exercise physiologist and dieticians (Dr. Monica Serra’s research team at South Texas VA) 
  • 2021, Developed and written how to write a scholarly abstract as the San    Antonio Indian Nurses Association, Co-Chair of Research/Doctoral Advisory, which has been published in their quarterly web-azine. 
  • 2016 – 2021, Mentoring Faculty Members, I precepted a faculty member, Sandy Weeks, while she completed an online, post master’s nurse educator course at UT Tyler. She completed 103 hours of practicum—in both theory and clinical—with me. In the theory class, she gained experience developing and presenting lectures, developing/evaluating quizzes and exams, individual exam review sessions, assisting in group presentations, peer evaluations, etc. I continue to mentor new faculty members as they share their knowledge in my courses as guest speakers. 
  • 2015 – 2021,   Evidence-Based Health Promotion Project, Evidence-Based Health Promotion Project, I incorporated an Evidence-Based Health Promotion project in the first-semester curriculum (10% of grade) where students as a group chose a health promotion topic from the list of topics provided by me. After topics were approved, the groups conducted literature reviews and presented their findings as abstracts. On the first day of the class, I provided in-depth instructions and a rubric on how to complete the group project. I continued to reinforce any questions throughout the semester. This project started to gain attention from other research faculty members. In Spring 2016, Drs. Patel, Puga, and Grotta offered to mentor students. Students presented their abstracts using poster presentations. They received positive feedback from the faculty members and other students from the School. The printing costs of the posters were supported by the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarships. In addition, students were asked to present their posters during Nurses Week. Although funding issues prevented further poster presentations, I continued with teaching methods that get students excited about research. 
  • 2015 – 2021,  Interactive Review Question, This group activity prepares the class for the final comprehensive exam. I provide instructions for students to work in groups to develop high-level, critical thinking, exam-style questions based on assigned learning objectives. Each group produces 5 questions to summarize as much material as possible by asking select all that apply or except for style questions. The groups use Kahoot, bingo, and other fun ways to summarize the content and prepare the class for the final exam. I count this activity as their final quiz grade. 
  • 2019 – 2020, As a guest faculty, I taught cardiac, neck. and peripheral vascular assessments to graduate nursing students.  

• Service

  School

  • 2020 – Present, Mentoring 2 students from the Summer Undergraduate Nursing Research Immersion Experience [SUNRISE] program) and 1 graduate student from Personalized Molecular Medicine, who are helping with my current RL5 pilot research study. Mentoring them on several aspects of my research study as entering data in Redcap, recruiting participants, completing study-related questionnaires and assessments, writing abstracts, manuscripts, and analyze focus group data. 
  • 2019 – 2020, Mentoring 4 research students (1 accelerated undergraduate nursing student, 1 graduate student from Personalized Molecular Medicine, and 2 students from the Summer Undergraduate Nursing Research Immersion Experience [SUNRISE] program) who are helping with my current RL5 pilot study. I am mentoring them on several aspects of my research study, such as entering data in Redcap, recruiting participants, completing study-related questionnaires and assessments, writing abstracts and manuscripts, and analyzing focus group data

  Institutional

  • 2020 – Present, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Council, Member  
  • 2020 – 2022, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing Committee on Scholarship, Member 
  • 2015 – 2017, UT Health San Antonio Committee on Undergraduate Studies, Member 
  • 2014 – 2017, UT Health San Antonio Conflict of Interest Committee, Member 

  Service to the Profession

  • 2022, Abstract Reviewer GSA 2022 Abstract Peer Reviewer 
  • 2021 -  Present Volunteer Career Conversation Workgroup_Interest Group @ Interest Group at the Gerontological Society of America - Feature an exchange of ideas about issues and strategies to build a successful career in gerontology    
  • 2021 -  Present Volunteer Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) @ Interest Group at the Gerontological Society of America 
  • 2021 – Present,  Reviewer, The Geriatric Nursing  
  • 2021 – Present,  Co-Chair, San Antonio Indian Nurses Association Research/Doctoral Advisory 
  • 2020 – Present,  Reviewer, The Journal of Medical Internet Research 
  • 2019 – Present,  Reviewer, The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 
  • 2014 – Present,  Reviewer, The Journal of American Nurse Today 

  Professional Affiliations 

  • 2020 – Present,  San Antonio Indian Nurses Association  
  • 2020 – Present,    Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association 
  • 2019 – Present, American Aging Association 
  • 2017 – Present,  Gerontological Society of America 

  Community Service

  • 2008 – Present, Volunteer Annual Fundraising Campaign for the Aga Khan Foundation  
  • 2001 –  Present, Health Board Member Aga Khan Community Center  
  • 2020, Invited Speaker to educate Muslim Community Senior Center the audience and possibly recruit participants for pilot study about Preventing Frailty and Type 2 Diabetes using Multiple Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions 
  • 2019, Invited Speaker to educate Towers of Park Lane and possibly recruit participants for a pilot study about Preventing Frailty and Type 2 Diabetes using Multiple Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions 
  • 2019, Invited Speaker to advise  OAIC Community Advisory Board Committee about Research study and to recruit possible participants for a pilot study about Preventing Frailty and Type 2 Diabetes using Multiple Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions  
  • 2019, Invited Speaker to educate Bob Ross Senior Center the audience and possibly recruit participants for a pilot study about Preventing Frailty and Type 2 Diabetes using Multiple Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions 

• Publications

  Peer-reviewed Articles (*indicates data-based) 

  • *Jiwani, R., Dennis, B., Alfonso, N., Bess, C., Espinoza, S., Wang, J., Serra, M. Type 2 Diabetes Independence of Glycemic Control is Associated with Cognitive Impairments: Findings from NHANES. Clinical Nursing Research. [3/06/2022 – Revision Submitted]  
  • *Jiwani, R., Robbins, R., Alfonso, N., Renero, J., Lopez, E., Serra, M. Effect of Dietary Intake Through Whole Foods on Cognitive Function: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Current Nutrition Reports 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00412-5 
  • *Patel, D., Gonzalez, A., Serra, M., Roberts, J., Burns, A., Hughes, D., Clarke, G., Kilpela, L., Jiwani, R., & Musi, N. An open-label randomized trial of exercise ± creatine supplementation to augment the adaptations of exercise training in breast cancer survivors completing chemotherapy: a study protocol for The THRIVE Study (Preprint). JMIR Research Protocol. Oct 26, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2196/26827 
  • *Jiwani R, Wang J, Li C, Dennis B, Patel D, Gelfond J, Liu Q, Siddiqui N, Bess C, Monk S, Serra M, Espinoza S. A Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Frailty in Overweight or Obese Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Feasibility Study. Journal of Frailty and Aging. Apr10, 2021 
  • *Jiwani R, Dennis B, Chandler B, Monk S, Meyer K, Wang J, Espinoza S. Assessing acceptability and patient experience of a behavioral lifestyle intervention using Fitbit technology in older adults to manage Type 2 diabetes amid COVID-19 pandemic: a focus group study Geriatric Nursing 2021 Jan;42(1):57-64. 
  • *Ko J, Du Y, Jiwani R, Li C, Wang J.. Personalized Behavioral Nutrition Intervention in Older Asian Americans with Type 2 Diabetes during COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Protocol for a Pilot, Hybrid, Randomized Controlled Trial Nursing Research 2021 Jan 
  • *Jiwani R, Wang CP, Orsak, B, MacCarthy, D, Kellogg D, Powers B, Wang, J, Padala, P, Padala, K, Espinoza S. A geriatrics Walking Clinic Improves Hemoglobin A1c and Time Gait in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes Geriatric Nursing 2020 Oct 
  • *Du Y, Dennis B, Rhodes S, Sia M, Ko J, Jiwani R, Wang, J. Technology Assisted Self-Monitoring of Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Indicators in Diabetes: A Qualitative Evaluation Journal of Medical Internet Research Diabetes 2020 Aug;5(3) 
  • *Jiwani R, Wang J, Berndt A, Ramaswamy P, Mathew Joseph N, Du Y, Ko J, Espinoza S Changes in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures With a Technology-Supported Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial JMIR Diabetes 2020;5(3):e19268 DOI: 10.2196/19268 .  
  • *Espinoza, SE; Jiwani, RB; Wang, C-P; Wang, J.. Review of Interventions for the Frailty Syndrome and the Role of Metformin as a Potential Pharmacologic Agent for Frailty Prevention Clinical Therapeutic 2019 Nov;41(3):376-386 
  • *Espinoza SE, Musi M, Wang CP, Michalek JE, Orsak, Beverly, Romo, T, Powers BB, Conde, A, Moris, M, Bair-Kelps, D, Li, Y, Ganapathy, V, Jergensen, T, Kelly, C, Jiwani RB. Rationale and Study Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Metformin to Prevent Frailty in Older Adults With Prediabetes The Journal of Gerontology 2019 Mar 
  • *Jiwani R, Gerry S, Patel D. A Review of Culturally Tailored Interventions to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians Cardiovascular Disorder and Medicine 2018 Jun;3(3):1-6 

  Non-Peer-reviewed Articles (i. e. editorials, news articles, etc.) 

  • Across Borders: Nurse Leaders from five countries virtually mentor AKU students 2021 Oct. https://the.ismaili/tkn/across-borders-nurse-leaders-five-countries-virtually-mentor-aku-students  
  • Jiwani R. Aga Khan Foundation USA: Everything is Big in Texas 2017 Nov. Available from https://www.akfusa.org/our-stories/everything-bigger-texas/ 
  • Jiwani R. The Huffington Post: Humans of the World: A Doctor in Nursing Gives Back 2016 Nov. Available from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/humansoftheworld-a-doctor_b_13204070 

  Abstracts 

  • *Jiwani R, Serra, M; Espinoza, S; Patel, DI. The impact of lifestyle intervention on inflammatory cytokines in older adults with type 2 diabetes. (Abstract submitted at the Gerontological Society of America) 
  • *Jiwani R, Wang, J, Li, C, Espinoza S. Evaluating a Mobile-Health-Enhanced Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention for Frailty in Diabetes: A Feasibility Study Oxford University Press; 2020 Dec. p. 401-402. (Innovation in Aging; vol. 4, no. 1) 
  • Jiwani R. Illness Perceptions, Coping Behaviors, and Appraisal of South Asians Immigrants with Coronary Artery Disease: A Mixed Methods Study Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2020 Vol. 29, no 5.  
  • 12/2021, Presented my RL5 pilot research study findings at the Endocrinology Grand Rounds (shared lesson learned, x2 publications, future study), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX  
  • 10/2021, “International Day of Older Persons - Digital Equity for All Ages” in Pakistan, on October 1, 2021. I virtually presented my RL5 project experiences in overweight/obese older adults with type-2-diabetes using experiences/digital technology to prevent/delay frailty 
  • 2020, Effect of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty, Health Technologies Research Interest Group (HTRIG), Health Technologies Research Interest Group (HTRIG), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker) 
  • 2020, Frailty, Diabetes, and Older Adults Meet the Scientists of the Biobehavioral Lab, Committee on Scholarship, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker) 
  • 2020, Presented my RL5 pilot research study at the Endocrinology Grand Rounds for possible recruitment, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Invited Speaker) 

  Invited Podium Presentations (i. e. keynotes presentations)  

  • 2021, Presented my RL5 pilot research study findings at the Endocrinology Grand Rounds (shared lesson learned, x2 publications, future study), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX  
  • 2021, “International Day of Older Persons - Digital Equity for All Ages” in Pakistan, on October 1, 2021. I virtually presented my RL5 project experiences in overweight/obese older adults with type-2-diabetes using experiences/digital technology to prevent/delay frailty 
  • 2020, Effect of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty, Health Technologies Research Interest Group (HTRIG), Health Technologies Research Interest Group (HTRIG), UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX  
  • 2020, Frailty, Diabetes, and Older Adults Meet the Scientists of the Biobehavioral Lab, Committee on Scholarship, UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX  
  • 2020, Presented my RL5 pilot research study at the Endocrinology Grand Rounds for possible recruitment, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX  
  • 2020, Effect of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, San Antonio Pepper Center Annual Retreat, San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, San Antonio, TX  

  Peer Reviewed Poster Presentations  

  • 2021, Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes Control and Cognition in Older Adults: Findings From NHANES, The Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting Poster presentation 
  • 2021, Evaluation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Feasibility Study, Sigma Global Nursing Excellence 32nd International Research Conference, Co-Author poster presentation 
  • 2020, Evaluating a Mobile-Health-Enhanced Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention for Frailty in Diabetes: A Feasibility Study, The Gerontological Society of America (Sole Presenter) Poster presentation 
  • 2020, Evaluating a Mobile-Health-Enhanced Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention for Frailty in Diabetes: A Feasibility Study, The Gerontological Society of America (Sole Presenter) Poster presentation 
  • 2019, Effect of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study, Claude D Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers Annual Meeting, Claude D Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers, Arlington, VA (Sole Presenter). Poster presentation