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Dr. Marla Marek is a Professor at California State University, Stanislaus in the rural central valley of California. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing in 1984, her Bachelor’s in Science Nursing in 1993, her Master’s in Science Nursing in 2002, and her PhD from the University of California, San Francisco in 2013. She is currently employed as a tenured faculty member and is a practicing labor and delivery nurse, having worked with women during birth for 33 years. Her research interests include labor and delivery nurse attitudes toward termination of pregnancy and perinatal bereavement. Her dissertation research focused on cultural values and beliefs for Latina women and their family members after pregnancy loss. She is also working with a research group examining the attitudes of labor and delivery nurses toward the changing environment of nursing, as well as collaborative care with Doulas and Childbirth Educators. Marla served for several years on the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative: Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review committee. Her interest in maternal mortality not only comes from her years of labor and delivery experience in California but also globally from volunteer work in low resource countries. She is an active member of AWHONN and has served as an expert panel member for several projects to reduce maternal mortality nationwide. In her off work time, she is the Co-Director of Hawa’s Hope, a nonprofit organization with the mission of reducing the number of women who die in childbirth in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
2013 Ph.D. Nursing
University of California, San Francisco. San Francisco, CA
2002 Master’s in Science Nursing
University of Phoenix. Sacramento, CA
1993 Bachelor’s in Science Nursing
California State University, Stanislaus. Turlock, CA
1984 Associate’s Degree in Nursing
College of the Desert. Palm Desert, CA.
1993 - Public Health Nurse Certificate
1989 - Inpatient Obstetrics National Certification
1984 - Registered Nurse
| Position | Institution | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time Tenure Track Faculty Associate Professor |
California State University Stanislaus Turlock, CA |
09/2007-present |
| Charge Nurse/Clinical Leader Labor and Delivery |
Memorial Hospitals Association Modesto, CA |
08/1991-present |
| Part Time Faculty | California State University Stanislaus Turlock, CA |
09/2004-09/2007 |
| Clinical Instructor Obstetrics and Pediatrics |
Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA |
02/1992-06/1992 |
| Staff Nurse Labor and Delivery |
Emanuel Medical Center Turlock, CA |
05/1990-08/1991 |
| Staff Nurse Labor and Delivery |
Sierra Vista Regional Med. Center San Luis Obispo, CA |
11/1987-05/1990 |
| Staff Nurse Obstetrics |
Desert Hospital Palm Springs, CA |
03/1986-11/1987 |
| Staff Nurse Medical/Surgical |
High Desert Medical Center Joshua Tree, CA |
08/1985-03/1986 |
- American Heart Association Basic and Advanced Life Support (current)
- American Heart Association Neonatal Resuscitation (current)
- National Certification Corporation, Inpatient Obstetrics 1989 (original certification)
- California State Board of Nursing, Registered Nurse 1985
- UCSF Graduate Deans Fellowship 2005, 2006, 2007
Fall 2013
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations
- NURS 5200 Teaching and Learning Strategies (3 Units)
- Pre-Licensure Program Coordinator (3 Units
Spring 2013
- NURS 3600 Transcultural Nursing (3 Units)
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5020 Nursing Research (3 Units)
Fall 2012
- NURS 3600 Transcultural Nursing (3 Units)
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations
Spring 2012
- Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- Transcultural Nursing (3 Units)
- Curriculum Design (3 Units)
Fall 2011
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (6 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5200 Teaching and Learning Strategies (3 Units)
Spring 2011
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations (3 Units)
- NURS 5020 Nursing Research (3 Units)
- Assigned Time Curriculum Design (3 Units)
Fall 2010
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (6 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations (3 Units)
Spring 2010
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5200 Teaching and Learning Strategies (3 Units)
- Assigned Time Simulation Develop (3 Units)
Fall 2009
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (6 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- Assigned Time Writing (3 Units)
Spring 2009
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (6 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
- NURS 5000 Theoretical Foundations (3 Units)
Fall 2008
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (9 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
Spring 2008
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (3 Units)
- NURS 3850 OB/Pediatrics Clinical (6 Units)
- New Faculty Assigned Time (3 Units)
Fall 2007
- NURS 3700 Introduction to Nursing Research (6 Units)
- NURS 3850 OB/Pediatrics Clinical (6 Units)
- NURS 3820 Reproductive Health (3 Units)
Suffering in Solitude: The Latina Perinatal Loss Experience for Latina Women and their Family Members.
This study involved Latino women and their family members who experienced pregnancy loss in the last 10 years. Data collection and analysis are complete. Three manuscripts have been prepared and are being submitted for publication.
Maternity Support Survey
Existing research in maternity care has tended to explore how mothers and families view their care, with less attention to the views of individuals who provide support to women during pregnancy and birth. The Maternity Support Survey is the first study to explore three different, but related careers in terms of their approach to maternal support and care. This is a collaborative cross nation research team project (2 sociologists, 4 graduate students, and 1 nurse). Survey was launched in November 2012, with data collection to end in February 2013. Data is currently being analyzed.
Image of Nursing: Adolescents Perceptions of the Image and Role of the Nurse
The public image of nursing has changed significantly over the years. Television, movies, and print have portrayed nurses from selfless angels to battle ax matrons to sex kittens pursuing physician husbands. These lasting images affect how young people, who are frequently exposed to multimedia platforms, view nursing as a possible career choice. This is an original research project with the newest cohort of Nursing Education Master’s students. As a part of their research course, we developed the proposal, received IRB approval, and completed data collection in the Spring of 2013. Data analysis is complete, a poster presentation has occurred at the college level, and a poster abstract is being prepared to present at the next WIN conference this fall.
Photovoice: Snapshot of Student Nurses.
This study involved student nurses and their qualitative experience of life during nursing school. Data collection and analysis are complete. Currently working on a manuscript for publication.
Investigating Academic Literacy and High-Impact Practices That Lead to Success
This is a study involving underserved pre-nursing students to better prepare them for the writing and reading literacy challenges of the nursing program. This study is still in the writing phase and grant development. I am assisting one of the English department faculty in preparing a two semester course that would prepare students to improve their ability to critically analyze the literature.
- The California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review. Report from 2002 and 2003 Maternal Death Reviews. Sacramento: California Department of Public Health, Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Division; 2011. (Peer Reviewed)
- Marek, M. J. (November, 2010). Legal Nurse Consulting. Podium Presentation at the local chapter meeting of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing honor society. Modesto, CA.
- Marek, M. J. (March, 2010). Women of Sierra Leone: Struggles in Childbirth. Podium Presentation at the Perinatal Hot Topics Conference. Sacramento, CA.
- Marek, M. J. (February, 2010). Cultural Differences in Perinatal Grief and Loss: The Latino Family Experience. Podium Presentation at the AWHONN California Section Conference. Santa Barbara, CA. (Peer Reviewed)
- Marek, M. J. (February, 2009). Sierra Leone: One Woman’s Journey. Podium Presentation at the AWHONN California Section Conference. Napa, CA. (Peer Reviewed)
- Marek, M. J., & Perea-Ryan, M. (April, 2008). Snapshot of Student Nurses: A Visual Self Exploration of University Life. Podium Presentation at the Continuums Of Service Conference. Portland, OR. (Peer Reviewed)
- Kennedy, H., Levi, A., & Marek, M. J. (May, 2007). Gone with the Wind: Media Influence on Women’sPerceptions of Birth. Podium Presentation at the Certified Nurse Midwives National Conference. Chicago Il. (Peer Reviewed)
- Marek, M. J. (April, 2007). Cultural Differences in Perinatal Grief and Loss: The Latino Family Experience. Poster Presentation of Pilot Study at the Western Institute of Nursing Research Conference. Portland, OR. (Peer Reviewed)
- Marek, M. J. (2004). Nurses’ attitudes toward pregnancy termination in the labor and delivery setting.
- Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nurses, 33(4), 472-479. (Peer Reviewed)
- 2012: School of Nursing Faculty Scholarship and Awards Rosotti Funds Maternity Support Survey
$5,000 (Funded) - 2009: NIH New Researchers R-15 Grant
Birth Control Methods and Everyday life
$299,946 (Not funded)
School of Nursing
- Faculty Scholarship Awards Committee (Chair)
- Program Evaluation Committee, Standard 1 Policy and Procedure(Chair)
- Nursing Curriculum Committee
- Graduate Committee
- Research Committee
College of Human and Health Sciences
- Psychology Department Institutional Review Board
- CHHS RSCA Policy Committee
University
- SB 1212 Faculty Grievance Committee
Profession
- California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
- Research Advisory Panel
- International nurse volunteer work (including professional presentations of such)
- Legal Nurse Consulting
- Transcultural Nursing Society
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
- California Faculty Association
- Sigma Theta Tau
Global Nursing Volunteer Experience Spent two summers (1991 & 1993) in the mountains of Guatemala working with women to improve birth practices and decrease infant mortality rates. Coordinated and taught a Training of Traditional Birth Attendants course to over 40 indigenous women through Medical Ambassadors International. Co-authored a training manual for Medical Ambassadors International for Traditional Birth Attendants that has been used around the world. Spent the summer of 2008 in Sierra Leone, West Africa volunteering at the Aberdeen West Africa Fistula Hospital providing educational classes and support for the nursing staff there. Also began to develop relationships with three nursing schools in the country, with plans to support their libraries and faculty with educational resources. Returned in January of 2009 and became involved in plans for the building and support of free standing birth center in order to improve the maternal and infant mortality rates, which are currently the worst in the world. Helped write a successful proposal for funding of the birthing center. The birth center now (2012) delivers more than 100 babies each month and was recently highlighted on the ABC news program 20/20 as an innovative and safe place to give birth in a country with such heartbreaking statistics on maternal and infant mortality.