Sandra J. Mixer, PhD, RN, CTN-A

Associate Professor
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Contact Information:
Phone: 865-974-9430
E-mail: smixer@utk.edu
Website: https://nursing.utk.edu/faculty/sandra-mixer/

Expertise Areas:

Dr. Mixer’s scholarship uses the framework of culture care and academic-community-practice partnerships to improve the health of vulnerable populations, enhance quality of life, foster dignified death, and develop health care providers’ cultural competency. The framework of culture care fosters culturally congruent care that incorporates peoples’ values, beliefs, and practices, is meaningful, promotes health and wellbeing, and helps people face disability or death. An expert qualitative researcher, Dr. Mixer uses ethnonursing and community-based participatory methodologies and collaborates with quantitative researchers. Her research has been supported by several grants: a $2.6 million HRSA award to transform RN roles in community-based integrated primary care settings caring for underserved populations and others that help persons/families understand and use end-of-life care services and advance care planning. Dr. Mixer leads partnerships in urban and rural areas with faith and community leaders, residents, practice partners, and interdisciplinary team members.
Dr. Mixer is a Transcultural Nursing Scholar, a Certified Transcultural Nurse-Advanced, and recipient of the Leininger Award. Dr. Mixer is an active member in the Transcultural Nursing Society, served on the Board of Directors for 2 terms, and is a peer reviewer for several journals.

Languages spoken, read/write*:

English

Select Publications:

Beebe, L., Mixer, S.J., Thompson, K., Davis, S., Elliott, L., Lakin, B., Bullard, T., Hurt, M., & Niederhauser, V. (Online 2019). Transforming RN roles in community-based integrated primary care (TRIP): Background and content.  Issues in Mental Health Nursing. DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1553006 https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2018.1553006

Stone, W., Mixer, S.J., & Mendola, A. (in press). Culturally acceptable advance care planning and advance directives for person experiencing homelessness. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 21(5).

Nash, W., Mixer, S.J., Mendola, A., McArthur, P.M., Jackson, K. Spangler, B., Pressley, M., Darlington, C., & Conley, E. (2018). Helping persons experiencing homelessness complete advance directives: A model for service learning within a community-academic partnership. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 10(2), 30-38. ISSN 1934-5283.

Mixer, S. J., Carson, E., McArthur, P. M., Abraham, C., Sylvia, K., Davidson, R., Sharp, D., Chadwick, J. (2015). Nurses in action: A response to culture care challenges in a pediatric acute care setting. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 30, 896-907. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2015.05.001

Mixer, S. J., Fornehed, M. L., Varney, J., & Lindley, L. C. (2014). Culturally congruent end-of-life care for rural Appalachian people and their families. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 16(8), 526–534. doi:10.1097/NJH.0000000000000114