Research Assistant Professor
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University

Institute for Healthcare Studies
Northwestern University
750 North Lakeshore Drive
10th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611

s-lavela@northwestern.edu

Sherri L. LaVela, PhD, MPH, MBA is a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.  In addition, Dr. LaVela is a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Hines VA Center of Excellence.  Her research interests/experience spans several areas, including: gerontology/aging, disabilities, chronic disease, health promotion/disease prevention, health outcomes, sleep dysfunction, health disparities, caregiving, epidemiology, patient safety, and infection control.  Much of her research has focused on preventive health and equitable health care for persons in special populations, such as individuals with disabilities (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury), women, and older adults.  Other research is focused on identification and evaluation of chronic and infectious diseases and implementation of strategies toward optimal health care (vis-à-vis the patient, caregiver, and health care provider/system). 

Recent Journal Publications

LaVela SL, Cameron KA, Priebe M, Weaver FM.  Development and testing of a vaccination message targeted to persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.  2008;31(1):44-52.

Evans CT, LaVela SL, Parada JP, Miskevics S, Priebe M, Sandford P,  Niemiec P; Weaver FM.  Epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections in veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder.  Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.  2008; 29:234-242.

Smith B, LaVela SL, Weaver FM.  Health-related quality of life for veterans with spinal cord injury.  Spinal Cord.  2008;46:507-512.

Smith B, Guihan M, LaVela SL, Garber S.  Factors predicting pressure ulcers in veterans with spinal cord injuries.  American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  2008; 87(9):750-757.

LaVela SL, Evans CT, Miskevics S, Parada JP, Priebe M, Weaver FM.  Long-term outcomes from nosocomial infections in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  American Journal of Infection Control.  2007;35(6):393-400.

Weaver FM, LaVela SL.  Preventive care in spinal cord injuries and disorders: Examples of research and implementation.  Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics of North America.  2007;18(2):297-316.

LaVela SL, Smith B, Weaver FM.  Perceived risk for influenza in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Rehabilitation Psychology.  2007; 52(4):458-462.

Weaver FM, Hatzakis M, Evans CT, Smith B, LaVela SL, Wallace C, Legro MW, Goldstein B.  A comparison of multiple data sources to identify vaccinations for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Journal of the Medical Informatics Association.  2004; 11(5): 377-379.

LaVela SL, Legro MW, Weaver FM, Smith B.  Staff influenza vaccination: Lessons learned.  SCI Nursing.  2004;21(3):153-157.

LaVela SL, Smith B, Weaver FM, Miskevics S.  Geographical proximity and health care utilization in veterans with SCI&D in the USA.  Social Science and Medicine.  2004; 59(11): 2387-2399. 

LaVela SL, Smith B, Weaver FM, Legro MW, Goldstein B, Nichol K.  Attitudes and practices regarding influenza vaccination among healthcare workers providing services to individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2004; 25(11): 933-940.

Evans CT, LaVela SL, Smith S, Goldstein B, Weaver FM, Miskevics S.  Influenza diagnosis and treatment in veterans with spinal cord injury.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  2006; 87:291-293.

LaVela SL, Weaver FM, Smith B, Chen K.  Disease prevalence and use of preventive services: Comparison of female veterans in general and those with SCI&D.  Journal of Women’s Health.  2006;15(3):301-311.

LaVela SL, Weaver FM, Goldstein B, Chen K, Miskevics S, Rajan S, Gater DR.  Diabetes Mellitus in individuals with a spinal cord injury or disorder.  Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.  2006; 29(4):387-395.

LaVela SL.  Older adults with spinal cord impairments:  Implications for long term care.  SCI Nursing.  2006;23(2):Online publication.  http://www.unitedspinal.org/publications/nursing/2006/08/27/older-adults-with-spinal-cord-impairments-use-of-long-term-care-facilities/  [Best Article of the Year Award; Best Aging Article of the Year Award].

Evans CT, LaVela SL, Smith B, Wallace C, Goldstein B, Weaver FM.  Response to the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine shortage in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders and their providers.  Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.  2007;30(1):20-26.

Weaver FM, LaVela SL, Miskevics S, Clemmons N, Janke A, Spring B.  Smoking behavior and readiness to change in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Rehabilitation Psychology.  2007;52(3):304-310.

LaVela SL, Goldstein B, Smith B, Weaver FM.  Working with symptoms of a respiratory infection: Staff who care for high-risk individuals.  American Journal of Infection Control.  2007;35(7): 448-454.

Weaver FM, Smith B, LaVela SL, Wallace C, Evans CT, Hammond M, Goldstein B.  Interventions to increase influenza vaccination rates in veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.  Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.  2007;30(1):10-19.