Barbara Drew Honored By the American Heart Association

Barbara Drew, RN, PhD, recently presented her research on expanding information obtained from ECG recordings to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes in clinical settings at UCSF Alumni Weekend 2014. Photo by Carmen Holt

By Phoebe Byers on July 03, 2014

The American Heart Association has just selected Barbara Drew, RN, PhD, to be a 2014 Distinguished Scientist. Drew, professor of physiological nursing and founder of the ECG Monitoring Research Lab in the UCSF School of Nursing, will receive the award at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the AHA in Chicago in November 2014.

Barbara Drew, RN, PhD

Of the six scientists selected this year, Drew is the only nurse and the only woman. In fact, this is the first time in the history of AHA that a nurse scientist has been selected as a Distinguished Scientist. The award is recognition of the extensive contributions Drew has made in the care of patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

Drew has taught clinical electrocardiography to medical students, residents, and graduate nursing students for 32 years. She also founded the ECG Monitoring Research Lab in the School of Nursing and mentored numerous graduate students pursuing studies in the field of electrocardiology.

The primary goal of Drew's research is to improve cardiac monitoring techniques and clinical practices in hospital and pre-hospital settings for more accurate diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and drug-induced long QT syndrome. Drew’s research has shaped the development of commercial cardiac monitors, including the introduction of multi-lead ECG monitoring, ST-segment and QT interval monitoring, and strategies to reduce clinical alarm fatigue.