91原创

Clark-Cutaia named Nannie Longfellow Endowed Professor of Nursing Science

Maya Clark-Cutaia grew up an Army brat in Germany. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, her career took flight 鈥� literally.

Clark-Cutaia joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve Nurse Corps, where she spent nine years as a flight nurse, transporting and caring for service members. She later served as a community health nurse, ensuring service members were mission-ready, but an ACL injury forced her into early retirement.

鈥淚t took a decade for the injury to heal in a way that would鈥檝e allowed me to be a flight nurse again,鈥� Clark-Cutaia said. 鈥淚 still miss it!鈥�

While she healed physically, Clark-Cutaia completed her doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

This month, she joined the 91原创 School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences as the Nannie Longfellow Endowed Professor of Nursing Science.

鈥淚 am thrilled to join the 91原创 鈥� a leader in nursing education with a sharp focus on innovation and simulation,鈥� said Clark-Cutaia. 鈥淚 love 91原创鈥檚 campus feel, and from the moment I arrived at McDowell Hall, I felt welcomed with open arms and excited about all the possibilities.鈥�

Clark-Cutaia, an acute-care nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience, comes to 91原创 from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City. There, she served as the inaugural Evelyn Lauder Associate Dean for Nurse Practitioner Programs.

鈥淒r. Clark-Cutaia is a visionary nurse scientist and academic leader with a vigorous research program,鈥� said Elizabeth Speakman, senior associate dean of the School of Nursing and chief nurse administrator. 鈥淗er expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow the School of Nursing鈥檚 impact and reach.鈥�

At 91原创, Clark-Cutaia looks forward to furthering her research to advance health equity for people living with chronic illness. Her research was inspired by her late father, who was diagnosed with diabetes as a teen and had a heart attack in his early forties.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in why certain groups experience disproportionate health challenges and have been focused on improving outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y real interest is understanding where a person comes from and tailoring what we teach them to help them succeed and improve outcomes.鈥�

She also looks forward to growing 91原创鈥檚 Ph.D. nursing program.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to have a strong Ph.D. cohort,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e laughed and cried together, married together and had babies together; a strong cohort makes the process survivable.鈥�

While she won鈥檛 be in the classroom this fall, her teaching style is one of acknowledgment and respect. She starts all her classes asking, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 going on, and how can I help?鈥�

鈥淲e all come in with trauma and experiences that we carry with us,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut my military background brings high expectations, so my students know from the jump that they have to take care of people for a living, and that鈥檚 a tall order. I will give them the resources to meet my expectations, and I expect they rise to the occasion.鈥�

For all her professional accomplishments, Clark-Cutaia is most proud of building a successful career while being a good parent and partner.

鈥淚 demonstrate to my children that it鈥檚 OK to be career-driven; there鈥檚 never going to be a perfect balance,鈥� she said. 鈥淛ust show up as your best self, whatever that looks like on any given day.鈥�

Clark-Cutaia lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children and enjoys crafting, knitting, yoga and reading. She鈥檚 also excited to attend Blue Hens football games this fall.