Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship (National Institutes of Nursing Research, T32-NR015433), Case Western Reserve University
PhD, Michigan State University
Predoctoral Fellow (National Institutes of Nursing Research, F31-NR014754), Michigan State University
MSN (Nursing Education), Michigan State University
BSN, Calvin College
Specialties and Expertise
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Marginalized Populations
Vulnerabilities
Managing Chronic Conditions
Cardiovascular Nursing
Cognitive Function
Exercise in Chronic Conditions
Health Behavior Theory
Intervention Development / Evaluation
Lifestyle
Marginalized Populations
Mental Health
Self-management
Symptom Science
Managing Symptoms
Tailored Interventions
Underserved Populations
Awards and Honors
Distinguished Peer Award, Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare, 2021
Decision Making Research Interest Group New Investigator Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2021
Fellowship in the American Heart Association, American Heart Association Council on Stroke and Cardiovascular Nursing, 2020
Jonas Nurse Scholar, Jonas Philanthropies, 2012
Service Award from the Board of Directors and Midwest Nursing Research Society membership, 2020
Biography
Dr. Wierenga's research focuses on understanding how psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety following an acute illness event can impact the self-management behaviors needed to improve recovery and prevent new or worsening illnesses. Dr. Wierenga focuses on survivors of major adverse cardiac events in addition to exploring general population responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her interests lie in developing treatments to improve abilities to balance physical and emotional needs with emotion regulation training, which may help improve commonly experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as increasing physical activity. Dr. Wierenga has developed, refined, and tested a theoretically based novel intervention to improve balancing self-management of emotions with the cardiovascular lifestyle changes to improve maintenance and upkeep of exercise following a major adverse cardiac event.
Media Features
"IU Students Discuss Difficulties of Seasonal Depression," Indiana Daily Student.(December, 2021).
"New Research Finds the Pandemic has Disproportionately Impacted People of Sexual or Gender Minorities, and an IU Expert Says Limited Access to Technology has Exacerbated Health Disparities for Some Children," Apple Podcasts Indiana University News. (March, 2021).
"Why LGBTQIA+ People May Feel More Isolated During the Pandemic," Healthline. (March, 2021).
"LGBT Folks Show Symptoms During Pandemic – #LGBTWellness Roundup," LGBT HealthLink: Thee Network for Health Equity. (February, 2021).
"Pandemic Compounds Psychosocial Issues for Sexual, Gender Minorities", Medical Press. (February, 2021).
"Pandemic Compounds Psychosocial Issues for Sexual, Gender Minorities (SGM)," Newswise: Coronavirus News Source. (February, 2021).
"Pandemic Compounds Psychosocial Issues for Sexual, Gender Minorities (SGM)," Sciencenewsnet: Research Results. (February, 2021).
"Pandemic Compounds Psychosocial Issues for Sexual, Gender Minorities," The Buckeye Flame: COVID-19 (February, 2021).
"Research by Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Scientist and Collaborators Suggests SGM Adults Bearing Extra Burden of Anxiety During COVID-19 Isolation," Mirage. (February, 2021).
"Disproportionate Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Perceived Social Support, Mental Health and Somatic Symptoms in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations," DocWire News Featured Reading. (January, 2021).
"August 2020 News Roundup, Cardiovascular Research Foundation." TCTMD/ The Heart Beat. (December, 2020).
"The Pandemic’s Second Crisis: Researchers Study the Impact on Mental Health," Think: The Magazine of Case Western Reserve University Fall/Winter 2020, 35(1).
"Behavioral Outcomes During Social Distancing," Nightengala COVID-19 Research Highlights, Friends of the National Institutes of Nursing Research. (October, 2020).
"DNP/PhD Collaborations in Nursing Twitter Chat." (September, 2020).
"Q&A with Kelly Wierenga on Social-Distancing Research," Indianapolis Business Journal. (June, 2020).
"Study Examines Effects of Public Health Interventions on Human Behavior," Indiana University Research Impact. (June, 2020).
"Nursing Research in the Era of COVID-19," Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing: The Beat. (May, 2020).
"COVID-19 & Nurse Scientists on the Front Line: Kelly L. Wierenga," Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research Website. (April, 2020).
"The Behavior of Social Distancing: New Study Seeks Participants to Evaluate Behavioral Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic," Case Western Reserve University: The Daily. (April, 2020).
"Engagement in Research Leadership for Early-Career Jonas Scholars," Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare Webinar. (October, 2019).
External Funding
12/1/2019-6/30/2022. (R01-NR016116). "Cognitive Intervention to Improve Memory in Heart Failure Patients." (Co-I). National Institute of Nursing Research, $319,987.
4/9/2020-4/8/2022. "Emotion Regulation Intervention to Sustain Physical Activity in Rural-Dwelling Women and Men after Myocardial Infarction." (PI). Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Chapter, $4,997.
6/1/2016-5/31/2018. (T32-NR015433). "Multiple Chronic Conditions Interdisciplinary Nurse Scientist Training." (Postdoctoral Fellow). National Institutes of Nursing Research, $94,482.
3/12/2017-3/11/2018. "Partnering Physical and Emotional Fitness: Improving Cardiac Recovery with Training in Emotion Regulation. (PI). Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Psi, $1,000.
9/1/2017-8/31/2019. "Partnering Physical and Emotional Fitness: Improving Cardiac Recovery with Training in Emotion Regulation. (PI). American Nurses Foundation, $11,055
7/1/2020-6/30/2022. "Emotion Regulation Intervention to Sustain Physical Activity in Rural-Dwelling Women and Men after Myocardial Infarction. (PI). Sigma Theta Tau International and Jonas Philanthropies Collaborative, $10,000.
Publications