Sadaka Receives Award to Present Telehealth Medicine Research at International Nursing Conference
Heba Sadaka, associate professor of nursing at UA Little Rock, has received an award to present her research on telehealth medicine at an international nursing conference.
Sadaka has received the 2024 Practice Award from the Gamma Xi at-Large Chapter of Sigma Nursing. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing has more than 100,000 members and 600 chapters around the world.
Sadaka, who serves as a counselor and vice president of the Gamma Xi chapter, will receive a plaque, award certificate, and $1,000 to present research at the 35th International Nursing Research Congress that will be held July 25-28 in Singapore.
“I have to say that I am grateful and feel blessed and honored to receive this award,” Sadaka said. “I am thankful for my peers and the people I work with, especially Dr. Sheila Brooks for taking the time to nominate me for the award.”
Dr. Sheila Meabon Brooks, assistant professor of nursing at UA Little Rock, described how Sadaka has been making an impact on nurses through her 30 years as a nurse and 18 years as a nurse educator.
“She embraces active learning and collaborative practice, which is evident throughout her years as a nurse educator and is acknowledged by her students and colleagues,” Brooks wrote. “Mrs. Sadaka utilizes technology in her teaching to meet the needs
of diverse learners. She uses her knowledge of adult learning theories and best practices in online and simulation education to develop innovative learning strategies that help the learners develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to provide safe, evidence-based care.”
Dr. Britt Beasley, Gamma Xi president and clinical assistant professor of nursing at UAMS, said the chapter was impressed by Sadaka’s “numerous career accomplishments and unwavering commitment to excellence in nursing education and research.”
“Your passion for shaping the future of nursing through your teaching, research, and leadership is truly commendable,” Beasley said.
Sadaka’s trip is also being sponsored by the UA Little Rock School of Nursing. She will be presenting her research, “Telehealth Adoption Among Older Adults: Barriers and Facilitators.”
“With the pandemic, there was a big shift to telehealth medicine,” Sadaka said. “In my research, I found that older adults have specific needs that providers need to take into consideration when engaging in telehealth medicine. I would like to continue to work on this area of research, particularly in terms of education so nursing students will be prepared to meet patient needs when they work with patients using telehealth medicine.”
