Education:
• Post-Doctorate, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio
• Master of Science in Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Research Interests:
• Gerontological Nursing
• Hydration
• Non-nutritive sucking
• Evidence based practice in long-term care
• Health Status and Changes among Elderly Religious Sisters

Area of Expertise:

Current Research:
• Hydration Status of the Elderly: Validity of Non-invasive Measures for Assessment. P. Gaspar and D. Forsyth, Co-PIs (2006-2007). Gerontological Nursing interventions Research Center and the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Iowa, $10,000
• Enhancing Access to Clinical Evidence for Practice Improvement in Rural Long-Term Care. P. Gaspar, Researcher (2006). The Center of Integrated Health Science Education and Practice, $75,000
• Long Term Care e-Prescribing Standards Pilot Study. P. Gaspar (Researcher) (2006). Subcontract of RFA-HS-06-001 M. Bordelon, PI - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, $1.4 million.
• Health Status and Functional Ability of Elderly Religious Sisters- Phase IV. P. Gaspar and J. Bautch, Co-PI (2005-06). Graduate Nursing Research Funds. $1,500.

Selected Publications:

• Holton, E., Schweitzer, R., Meeker, M., Hendrix, C., Gaspar, P., Kossman, S., & Piamjariyakul, U. (Accepted for publication). Preparing junior investigators to develop gerontological research. Nursing Outlook.

• Gaspar, P.M. (1999). Water intake of nursing home residents. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 25(4), 23-29.

• Mentes, J., Culp, K., Wakefield, B., Gaspar, P., Rapp, C.G., Mobility, P. & Tripp-Reimer, T. (1998). Dehydration as a precipitating factor in the development of acute confusion in the frail elderly. Facts, Research and Intervention in Geriatrics (Hydration and aging) 83-100

Courses Taught:

• N510/410 Theoretical Foundations and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice
• N626 Assessment and Intervention: Care of the Ill Client Seminar
• N627 Assessment and Intervention: Care of the Ill Client Clinical
• N698 Thesis I
• N699 Thesis II