Faculty and Staff

Jane Peterson, PhD, RN, ARNP, BC, FNP-C - Assistant Professor

Jane Peterson

Phone: 816.235.5963

Email: petersonja@umkc.edu

CV: PetersonJ.pdf

Biography: Jane Peterson, PhD teaches theory courses in the UMKC School of Nursing MSN and PhD programs. She also facilitates student learning and research by serving as a mentor and research advisor to graduate nursing students. Dr. Peterson’s program of research focuses on promoting health and reducing risks for chronic diseases. Her current research projects include the Heart and Soul Physical Activity Program, a church-based social support intervention designed to promote physical activity in diverse groups of women to reduce risks for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. An additional research project is the clinic-based program Stay Alive with 5-A’s, a physical activity intervention delivered in primary healthcare settings and the community to increase physical activity and promote weight loss and weight management. Dr. Peterson is a family nurse practitioner and maintains an active clinical practice at UMKC Student Health and Wellness Center and volunteers at the Helen Gragg Adult Clinic at Operation Breakthrough and as a Parish Nurse.

Early in my career as a Critical Care nurse I became aware of the significant toll cardiovascular disease had on people in this country. I noted that women with heart disease seemed to fare worse than men, died more often, had fewer cardiac procedures and had greater disability following recovery from the acute cardiac event. I became involved in cardiac rehabilitation programs and focused on helping heart patients improve their health status. However, it became apparent that preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) was essential in improving the length and quality of people’s lives. Due to my conviction that prevention of CVD and other chronic illnesses is paramount, I am compelled to foster healthier lifestyles. Research on promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing risks for chronic disease could positively impact more people by dissemination of findings on effective health promotion strategies. My research interest area is in developing interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in vulnerable populations to reduce risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic conditions.

Recent Publications:

  • Peterson, J. A. (accepted). Minimize urinary incontinence in women by maximizing physical activity. Urologic Nursing.
  • Peterson, J.A., Yates, B.C., & Hertzog, M. (2008). Heart and Soul Physical Activity Program: Social support outcomes. American Journal of Health Behavior. 32(5): 525-537.
  • Peterson, J. (2007). Get moving! Physical activity counseling in primary care, Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 19(7), 349-357.
  • Peterson, J., Yates, B., Atwood, J., and Hertzog, M. (2005). Effects of a physical activity intervention. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 27(1), 93-110.
  • Riffel, K., Peterson, J., & Insley, C. (2004). Nurturing the nursing spirit, Journal of Christian Nursing, 21(3), 39-41.


    • Grants:

  • University of Missouri Kansas City Faculty Research Grant, “Church-based Heart and Soul Physical Activity Program for midlife African American women” 2007-2008. (Peterson, J).
  • Nebraska State Incentive Cooperative Agreement (SICA), External Evaluation for Regional Live Wise Coalition: Youth and Parent Focus Groups, 2005-2006, [Cramer, M. (PI) and Peterson, J. (Co-PI)].
  • Kansas Association of Medically Underserved (KAMU) to enhance the Mental Health Education of Family Nurse Practitioners. 2004-2005, (Peterson, J).
  • Kansas Association of Medically Underserved (KAMU) to enhance the Mental Health education of Family Nurse Practitioners 2003-2004, (Peterson, J).



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