Tatiana Sadak PhD, PMHNP, RN, FAAN

My research is deeply rooted in my geriatric psychiatry clinical practice that serves as a “living laboratory” that brings into focus research issues that are relevant to patients living with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers (CG).

Dr. Sadak synergistically dedicated her effort to clinical work, education, research, and policy, focusing on identifying and applying innovative methods for optimizing care for people living with dementia and their families. She is a pivotal member of the UW School of Nursing team and WA state Dementia Action Collaborative, which is charged with developing and implementing a plan to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. While the search continues for the cure, tens of millions of people living with dementia, their family caregivers, and healthcare providers confront a frightening daily reality of lack of resources and specific expertise in managing behavioral and medical complexity in the context of cognitive impairment. Tatiana’s mission is to transform clinical care, research, policy, and education of healthcare professionals by fully integrating and leveraging specialized knowledge that too often exists in isolated silos. The impact of dementia is personal, emotional, economic, and systemic. Yet health care for people with dementia and their families has changed remarkably little. We have for too long approached a complex and inherently multidisciplinary problem with fragmented care methods in which clinicians with minimal to no formal specialized training work independently of other disciplines. Tatiana is leading UWSON local, national and international initiatives for developing a dementia capable healthcare workforce.

Education

• BA, Seattle Pacific University, 1997
• BSN, University of Washington, 2006
• PMHNP-BC, University of Washington, 2008
• PhD, University of Washington, 2011

Awards and accolades

• 2020 & 2017. Best of Small Business Award in Healthcare. Psychiatric Wellness and Dementia Care Private Practice. Lynnwood, WA
• 2019. National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing. New York
• 2017. Top doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant in psychiatry. Seattle Met Magazine. Seattle, WA
• 2016. Gerontological Society of America Springer Publishing Company Geriatric/Gerontological Nursing Award for a Distinguished Single research manuscript addressing Geriatric/Gerontological Nursing. New Orleans, LA

What classes do you teach?

I teach graduate and undergraduate psychiatric nursing, psychotherapy, and geriatrics, and oversee implementation of the new undergraduate nursing curriculum. This new curriculum, implemented in 2019, reflects the expanded roles and responsibilities of nurses and the scope of nursing practice in inpatient and ambulatory care settings. We are using the Institute of Medicine Framework for Educating Health Professionals to Address the Social Determinants of Health as a foundation for embedding principles and applications of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into every undergraduate course. I also oversee the integration of geriatric content in all didactic, clinical, and lab courses and lead the development of comprehensive dementia training for Registered Nurses and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

What do you love about the UW School of Nursing?

I love the supportive and nurturing environment that empowers me to be the best teacher, researcher, administrator, and clinician that I can be. I am truly inspired by my students, colleagues, and community partners.

Department

Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics

Research Areas

• Innovative Interventions
• Symptom Science
• Health Equity
• Lifespan Health

Research Centers

• de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging