Maureen George, PhD, AE-C, RN, FAAN
- Professor of Nursing at CUMC

Overview
Dr. George's program of research focuses broadly on reducing health inequities in vulnerable populations with chronic respiratory disease. Particular areas of interest include community-based participatory research (CBPR) with poor and minority patients and their health care providers to understand how self-management preferences and patient-provider communication (shared decision-making, motivational interviewing, brief interventions) influence treatment choices (adherence). To the end, she uses community-informed strategies to address obstacles to disease control, such as health beliefs, health literacy, and the built environment.
She has extensive experience as a nurse scientist and behavioral scientist designing, testing and disseminating interventions informed by innovative qualitaitve, CBPR and mixed research methods.
Academic Appointments
- Professor of Nursing at CUMC
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- BS, 1982 York College of Pennsylvania
- MS, 1986 University of Pennsylvania
- PhD, 2003 University of Pennsylvania
- Fellowship: 2006 Johns Hopkins
Honors & Awards
2020 European Respiratory Society/European Lung Foundation Travel Grant for Best Abstract in Patient Centered Research
2019 Sheldon L. Spector, MD FAAAAI Memorial Lectureship , American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology
2017 Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine
2016 Allied Health Professionals Recognition Award, American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology
2015 The Christine Wagner President’s Lecture, Association of Asthma Educators
2013 Lifestyle Champion, AmeriHealth Caritas Recognition
2013 Dean’s Award for Exemplary Teaching
2013 Exemplary Teaching Award, Department of Family and Community Health
2012 Dean’s Innovation Award; 2nd Place
2011 Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentoring
2010 American Academy of Nursing, Fellow
2010 Outstanding Member Award, Association of Asthma Educators
2006 Educator-of-the-Year Award, Association of Asthma Educators
2003 MHDP Visiting Expert [Scholar], Ministry of Health SINGAPORE
2001 Scholarly Achievement Recognition, University of Pennsylvania Health System
2001 Outstanding Leadership Award, SEPA American Lung Association2016
Research
Grants
Self-care decision-making: Feasibility of the BREATHE asthma intervention trial (1 R21 NR016507-01, 9/23/16-9/22/19)
Patient-provider communication: CAM beliefs, attitudes and practices (1K23AT003907-01A1, 4/1/2008-2013)
CAM use for asthma in low-income black and white adults (1F32AT0020-01, 7/1/2004-2006)
Complementary medicine/adherence in minorities with asthma (1F31AT1149-01, 7/1/2002-2004)
Selected Publications
Park, S., George, M., Choi, J.Y. (2020). Quality of life in Korean tuberculosis patients: Alongitudinal study. Public Health Nurs. 2020;00:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/ phn.12691
Ravandi B, George M, Thompson L, Vangala SV, Chang T, Okelo S. Inhaled corticosteroid beliefs, complementary and alternative medicine in children presenting to the emergency department for asthma [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 25]. J Asthma. 2020;1-8. doi:10.1080/02770903.2020.1786113
George M, Hernandez C, Smith S, Narsavage G, Kapella MC, Carno M, Guttormson J,Disler RT, Hart DE, Chlan LL, Happ MB, Chen Z, Hetland B, Hutchinson AF, Jonsdottir H, Redeker NS, Schell-Chaple H, Fletcher M & Yorke, J. (2020). Nursing Research Priorities in Critical Care, Pulmonary, and Sleep: International Delphi Survey of Nurses, Patients, and Caregivers: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report. (2020). Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 17(1): 1-10.
Arcia, A., George, M, Lor, M. Mangal S. & Bruzzese, J.M. (2019). Design and comprehension testing of tailored asthma control infographics for adults with persistent asthma. Applied Clinical Informatics 10(4): 643-54.
Poghosyan, L., Norful, A., Ghaffari, A., George, M., Chhabra, S. & Olfson, M., (2019).Mental health delivery in primary care: the perspectives of primary care providers. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(5):63-67. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2019.08.001.
George, M., Arcia, A., Chung, A., Coleman, D., & Bruzzese, J.M. (2019). African Americans want a focus on shared decision-making in asthma adherence interventions. Patient doi: 10.1007/s40271-019-00382-x.
George, M. & Bender, B. (2019). New insights to improve treatment adherence in asthma and COPD. Patient Preference and Adherence. 13:1325-34 doi: 10.2147/PPA.S209532.
Arcia, A. & George, M. Reference range number line format preferred by AfricanAmerican adults for display of asthma control status. (2019). J Asthma 3:1-7. doi: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1590597.
Arcia, A., Grossman, L.V., George, M., Reading Turchioe, M., Mangal, S., MastersonCreber, R.M., (2019, October). Modifications to the ISO 9186 method for testing comprehension of visualizations: Successes and lessons learned. In 2019 IEEE Workshop on Visual Analytics in Healthcare (VAHC) (pp. 41-47). https://doi.org/10.1109/VAHC47919.2019.8945036
Veldhuis, C.B., Bruzzese, J.M., Hughes, T.L., & George, M. (2019). Asthmaamong lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: a scoping review. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 122(5):535-536.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2019.01.021.
Valerio, M.A., George, M., Liu. J., Osakwe, Z.T., Bruzzese, J.M. (2018). Health literacy and asthma among Hispanic and African American urban adolescents with undiagnosed asthma. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.06.022
George, M., Pantalon, M.V., Sommers, M.S., Glanz, K., Jia, H., Chung, A., Norful, A.A., Poghosyan, L., Coleman, D., Bruzzese, J.-M. (2018). Shared decision-making in the BREATHE asthma intervention trial: A research protocol. Journal of Advanced Nursing. doi: 10.1111/jan.13916
George, M. (2018). Adherence in Asthma and COPD: New Strategies for an Old Problem. Respiratory Care, 63 (6), 818-31. doi: 10.4187/respcare.05905.
George, M., Avila, M., Speranger, T., Bailey, H.K., & Silvers, W.S. (2018). Complementary and Alternative Practice in Allergy Committee Workgroup Report: Integrative medicine and the health interview. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 6 (2):436-439doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.11.029.
George, M., Bruzzese, J.M., Matura, L.A. (2017). Climate change effects on respiratory health. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 49 (6), 644-52. DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12330
Smyth HD, Colthorpe P, George M, Jansen P, Fuglsang A, Armstrong KE, Lyapustina S. (2017). Highlights from the 2017 IPAC-RS/ISAM Joint Workshop "New Frontiers in Inhalation Technology". Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery doi: 10.1089/jamp.2017.1425.
Bruzzese, J.M., Kingston, S., Zhao, Y., DiMeglio, J.S., Cespedes, A. & George, M. (2016). Psychological factors influencing the decision of urban adolescents with undiagnosed asthma to obtain medical care. J Adol Health, 59, 543-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.06.010
George, M., Abboud, S., Pantalon, M.V., Sommers, M.S., Mao, J., & Rand C. (2016). Changes in clinical conversations when providers are informed of asthma patients' beliefs about medication use and integrative medical therapies. Heart & Lung, 45, 70-8. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.11.002
Keddem, S. Barg, F. Glanz K. Jackson, T, Green, S. George, M. (2015). Mapping the urban asthma experience: using qualitative GIS to understand contextual factors influencing asthma control. Social Science & Medicine, 140, 9-17. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.06.039
Weiss CH, Krishnan JA, Au DH, Bender BG, Carson SS, Cattamanchi A, Cloutier MM, Cooke CR, Erickson K, George M, Gerald JK, Gerald LB, Goss CH, Gould MK, Hyzy R, Kahn JM, Mittman BS, Mosesón EM, Mularski RA, Parthasarathy S, Patel SR, Rand CS, Redeker NS, Reiss TF, Riekert KA, Rubenfeld GD, Tate JA, Wilson KC, Thomson CC, on behalf of the ATS ad hoc committee on implementation science. (2016). An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement: Implementation Science in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 194, 1015-1025.
Bender, B.G., Krishnan, J.A., Chambers, D.A., Cloutier, M.M., Riekert, K.A., Rand, C.S.,Schatz, M., Thomson, C.C., Wilson, S.R., Apter, A., Carson, S., George, M., Gerald, J.K., Gerald L, Goss, C., Kiley, J., Okelo, S., Mularski, R., Nguyen, H., Patel, M., Szefler, S., Weiss, C., Wilson, K.C., Freemer, M.M. (2015). American Thoracic Society and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Implementation Research Workshop Report. Annals of the ATS,12, S213-21. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201506-367OT.
Pinkerton, K., Harbaugh, M., Mei, H., Le Saux, C.L., Van Winkle, L., Martin, W., Kosgei R., Carter E.J. Sitkin, N., George, M., (2015). Women and lung disease: gender differences and global health disparities. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 192, 11-6. doi:10.1164/rccm.201409-1740PP.
George, M. (2015). Integrative medicine is integral to providing patient-centered care. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 114, 261-4.
George, M., Keddem, S., Barg, F., Greene, S., Cavanaugh, E., & Glanz, K. (2014). Urban adults' perceptions of factors influencing asthma control. Journal of Asthma, 52, 98-104. doi:10.3109/02770903.2014.947651
George, M., Topaz, M., Rand, C., Sommers, M.S., Glanz, K., Pantalon, M.V., Mao, J., & Shea, J. (2014). Inhaled corticosteroid beliefs, complementary and alternative medicine and uncontrolled asthma in urban minority adults Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134, 1252-59. doi: 17.10.1016/j.jaci.2014.07.044
George, M., Pinilla, R., Abboud, S., Shea, J., & Rand, C., (2013). Innovative use of a standardized debriefing guide to assist in the development of a research questionnaire with low literacy demands. Applied Nursing Research, 26, 139-42. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2012.11.005.
George, M., & Topaz, M. (2013) A systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine for asthma self-management, Nursing Clinics of North America, 48, 53-149. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.201
George, M. (2012). Health beliefs, treatment preferences and complementary and alternative medicine for asthma, smoking and lung cancer self-management in diverse black communities. Patient Education and Counseling, 89, 489-500. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2012.05.003
Topaz, M., Johnson, A., Pinilla, R., Rand, C., & George, M. (2012). Primary care providers' attitudes and beliefs about patients complementary and alternative medicine use for asthma self-management: An exploratory study. Journal of Allergy and Asthma Educators, 3, 255-63. doi:10.1177/2150129712463062
Townsend, K., Corry, J.M., Quigley, B., & George, M. (2012). A feasibility study of Q-sort to determine recall of skin test results and environmental remediation education. Journal of Asthma, 49, 83-89. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2011.635832
George, M., & Margolis, M.L. (2010). Race and lung cancer surgery-- a qualitative analysis of relevant beliefs and management preferences. Oncology Nursing Forum, 37, 740-748. doi: 10.1188/10.ONF.740-748
George, M., Rand-Giovannetti, D., Eakin, M.N., Borrelli, B., Zettler, M., & Riekert, K.A. (2010). Perceptions of barriers and facilitators of regimen adherence: Self-management decision by older adolescents and adults with CF. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 9, 425-432. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2010.08.016
Black, H.L., Priolo, C., Akinyemi, D., Gonzalez, R., Jackson, D.S., Garcia, L., George, M., & Apter, A.J. (2010) Clearing clinical barriers: Enhancing social support using a patient navigator for asthma care. Journal of Asthma, 47, 913-919. doi:10.3109/02770903.2010.506681
George, M., Campbell, J., & Rand, C. (2009). Self-management of acute asthma among low- Income Urban adults. Journal of Asthma 46, 618-624. doi:10.1080/02770900903029788
George, M., Birck, K., Hufford, D., Jemmott, L.S., & Weaver, T.E. (2006). Beliefs about asthma and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in low-income inner city African American adults. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21, 1317-1324. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00624.x
Apter, A.J., Cheng, J., Small, D., Bennett, I.M., Albert, C., Fein, D.G., George, M., & van Horne, S. (2006). Asthma numeracy skill and health literacy. Journal of Asthma, 43; 705-710. . doi:10.1080/02770900600925585
Apter, A.J., Boston, R.C., George, M., Norfleet, A.L., Tenhave, T., Coyne, J.C., Birck, B., Reisine, S.T., Cucchiara, A.J., & Feldman, H.I. (2003). The potentially modifiable barriers to adherence: It's not just black and white. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 111, 1219-1226. doi: 10.1067/mai.2003.1479
George, M., Freedman, T.G., Norfleet, A.L., Feldman, H.I., & Apter, A.J. (2003). Qualitative research enhanced understanding of patients' beliefs: Results of focus groups with low-income urban African American adults with asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 111, 967-73. doi:10.1067/mai.2003.1459
George, M., & Apter, A.J. (2004). Gaining insight into patients' beliefs using qualitative research methodologies. Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 4, 185-189. PMID: 15126939
George, M., & Apter, A.J. (2001). Improving adherence to asthma medications. Clinical Pulmonary Medicine, 8 1-8. PMID:15126939
George, M., O'Dowd, L.C., Martin, I., Lindell, K.O., Whitney, F., Jones, M., Ramondo, T., Walsh, L., Grissinger, J., Hansen-Flaschen, J., & Panettieri, R.A. (2000). A comprehensive educational programme was effective for inner city patients with asthma. Evidence-based Nursing, 3, 44.
For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov
Global Health Activities
Member Montreal Protocol Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee, United Nations Environment Program Ozone Secretariat
Engaged in research capacity building with partners at Kamuzu College of Nursing in Lilongwe and Blantyre, Malawi and .at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
Mentoring PhD nursing faculty at Aksum University (Ethiopia) and at the University of the West Indies (Kingston, Jamaica)