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Paula J Tanabe

Laurel Chadwick Distinguished Professor of Nursing
School of Nursing

Overview


Dr. Tanabe is the Laurel B. Chadwick Distinguished Professor in the Schools of Nursing and Medicine at Duke at the Duke University School of Nursing. Dr. Tanabe is a clinical and health services researcher. Her program of research focuses on improving systems of healthcare and patient outcomes for persons with sickle cell disease, a primarily minority and under-served population. Dr. Tanabe has received funding from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, the National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood, National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Institute of Nursing Research. Her work is advancing the care of individuals with sickle cell disease with a strong focus on improving pain management in the emergency department during a vaso-occlusive crisis. Her methodological expertise includes conducting multi-site clinical RCT’s, survey methods, qualitative research, quality improvement and implementation science. Dr. Tanabe has a strong passion for her work, individuals with sickle cell disease, and for mentoring students and faculty to conduct important, meaningful work to improve the health and well being of individuals and families.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Laurel Chadwick Distinguished Professor of Nursing · 2019 - Present School of Nursing
Professor in the School of Nursing · 2017 - Present School of Nursing
Vice Dean, Research and Regulatory Affairs · 2020 - Present School of Nursing
Professor of Medicine · 2017 - Present Medicine, Hematology, Medicine
Assistant Professor in Surgery · 2017 - Present Emergency Medicine, Clinical Science Departments
Affiliate Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy · 2024 - Present Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published May 7, 2019
Duke Adds 21 Faculty to Distinguished Faculty Rank
Published January 22, 2014
Paula Tanabe comments: Student's ordeal raises sickle cell awareness

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Recent Publications


Redefining High Emergency Department Utilization for Sickle Cell Disease.

Journal Article JAMA Netw Open · June 2, 2025 IMPORTANCE: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex hemoglobinopathy. Vaso-occlusive episodes are the primary cause of emergency department (ED) utilization among individuals with SCD. Literature lacks a standardized definition for high ED utilization. OBJE ... Full text Link to item Cite

Improving the Quality of Whole-Person Healthcare Delivery: Critical Components of a Sickle Cell Disease Nurse Navigator Role.

Journal Article Prof Case Manag · April 15, 2025 PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex genetic hemoglobinopathy which is associated with a severely shortened lifespan; the median age of death remains in the low 50's. Individuals living with SCD have complex medical, psychological, an ... Full text Link to item Cite

Patient-reported pregnancy loss and maternal complications: Insights from the sickle cell disease implementation consortium.

Journal Article Int J Gynaecol Obstet · March 2025 OBJECTIVE: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with complications during pregnancy and can negatively influence maternal outcomes. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of maternal morbidity among participants enrolled in an eight- ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Nurse LEADS: Training in Nurse-LEd models of care ADdressing the Social Determinants of Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Predictors of Pain Severity and Pain-Related Outcomes in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease

ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2023 - 2025

North Carolina Sickle Cell Data Collection

Public ServiceCo Investigator · Awarded by NC Department of Health and Human Services · 2024 - 2024

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Illinois · 1996 Ph.D.
Loyola University, Chicago · 1990 M.S.N.
Rush University · 1987 B.S.