Annemarie Dowling-Castronovo, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the Nursing Department. Dowling-Castronovo began working in health care as a hospital candy-striper, and then as a nursing assistant in long-term care. She earned her Associate in Applied Science and Bachelor of Science from The College of Staten Island, City University of New York. As a staff nurse, Dowling-Castronovo practiced in a variety of hospital areas, such as maternal-child, inpatient rehabilitation, organ transplant, cardiothoracic and general surgical. After earning a Master’s Degree from New York University as a gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP), she provided care to older adults across the continuum of care settings. In several settings, she pioneered the role of the GNP to launch a continence program, provide health care to residents in a long-term care facility, and practice as part of a hospital-based interdisciplinary palliative care team.

As a Jonas II Nurse Leader, Dowling-Castronovo earned her Ph.D. in nursing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. In addition to scholarship of teaching, application and integration, Dowling-Castronovo contributes to the care of older people through the scholarship of discovery (Boyer, 1990). Her contributions include publications related to urinary incontinence in older adults; presentations related to urinary incontinence and nursing education; and, service as a reviewer for several nursing journals, including the Urological Nursing Journal for which she currently serves as an editor.

Prior to accepting this appointment at Monmouth University, she held academic appointments at New York Univerity, the College of Staten Island, and Wagner College. Her work as Project Director, for an American Association of Colleges of Nurses Grant on Enhancing Geriatric Nursing Education for Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Programs, substantially contributed to NYU receiving The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing/American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Award for Baccalaureate Education in Geriatric Nursing. At Wagner College she engaged in interdisciplinary education and team teaching. With funding from a Fox Family Grant for Civic Engagement, she co-envisioned and implemented Partners in Community Health to serve Liberian Refugees neighboring the Wagner College campus with needed health services provided by nursing faculty and students. As an active member of the International Learning Community, Dowling-Castronovo was one of 25 invited participants co-designing a Fundamentals of Care Leadership Program.

Education

Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

M.A., New York University, The Steinhardt School of Education, Division of Nursing

B.S., AAS, The City University of New York, The College of Staten Island

Publications

Journal Articles (Peer Reviewed)

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2021). Bladders matter – Help people speak up! Journal of Aging Life Care, 1(31), 25-31.

Norton, J. M., Dowling-Castronovo, A., Conroy, B., Hijaz, A. K., Kim, M., Loizou, C., Meyer, D., & Constantine, M. L. (2021). The Inflection Point Model: A model to explore the hidden burdens of non-cancerous genitourinary conditions. Urology, S0090-4295(21)00739-1. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2021.07.030

Brady, S. S., Bavendam, T. G., Bradway, C. K., Conroy, B., Dowling-Castronovo, A., Epperson, C. N., Hijaz, A. K., Hsi, R. S., Huss, K., Kim, M., Lazar, J., Lee, R. K., Liu, C. K., Loizou, C. N., Miran, S., Mody, L., Norton, J. M., Reynolds, W. S., Sutcliffe, S., Zhang, N., & Hokanson, J. A. (2021). Noncancerous genitourinary conditions as a public health priority: How do we conceptualize the hidden burden? https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2021.08.040

Hallowell, S. G., Oerther, S. E., Dowling-Castronovo, A., Rossiter, A. G., & Montalvo, W. (2020). Innovation in health policy education – Examples from Jonas Policy Scholars. Nursing Education Perspectives, 41(5), 317-319. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nep.0000000000000712  

Paulin, R., & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2017). Incontinence-associated dermatitis – It is not a pressure injury. Urologic Nursing, 37(6) 304-309.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (June 19, 2015). Theory of regaining control: How older adults with new-onset urinary incontinence address loss of control. Grounded Theory Review, 1(14) Retrieved from: http://groundedtheoryreview.com/2015/06/19/theory-of-regaining-control-how-older-adults-with-new-onset-urinary-incontinence-address-loss-of-control/

Dowling-Castronovo, A., & Specht, J. (2009). Assessment of transient urinary incontinence in older adults. American Journal of Nursing, 109, 62-71.

Burbank, P. M., Dowling-Castronovo A., Crowther M. R., & Capezuti, E. A. (2006). Improving knowledge and attitude toward older adults through educational strategies. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(2), 91-97.

Chapters in Books

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Long, J., & Bradway, C. (2021). Urinary incontinence in the older adult. In Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Fulmer, T. & Zwicker, D. (Eds.). Evidence Based Geriatric Nursing Protocols for Best Practice (6^th ed) (Chapter 25, pp. 437-464). New York: Springer Publishing. http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=13163&search=dowling]

Dowling-Castronovo, A, Guadangno, L., & Fulmer, T. (2005). Violence and elder mistreatment. In P. Tabloski (Ed.) Gerontological Nursing: The Essential Guide to Clinical Practice. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Posters (Peer-Reviewed)

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Dougherty, D., & Zagorin, A., (2019). We’re Doing What? Taking Report. 45^th Biennial Convention, Sigma (Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society), November 16-20, 2019. Washington, DC.

Governo, M., Dowling-Castronovo, A., Fazio, J., DeSena, L., & Eshelman, A. (April 21, 2011). Use of clickers in the classroom: Student satisfaction survey. Columbia University Teachers College 49th Annual Stewart Research Conference, New York, NY.

Editorials

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2022). A call for nurse leaders to elevate fundamentals of care. Urologic Nursing 42(4), 163-164. https://doi.org/10.7257/2168-4626.2022.42.4.163

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2021). Serendipity & strategy, Urologic Nursing, 41(3), 125.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2020). Be a uroInfluencer, Urologic Nursing, 40(6), 265-266. 10.7257/1053-816x.2020.40.6.265 

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Bradway, C., Kitson, A., Ostaszkiewicz, J., & Palmer, M. H. (2020). A call to action – Nursing must do more to reduce lower urinary tract symptoms, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 107, 103577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103577

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2019). #YearOf50 #MoveTheBladderUPtheLadder. Urologic Nursing; 39(2), 57-58. 10.7257/1053-816x.2019.39.2.57 

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2018). DNP nurses and PhD nurses: Collaborators to document in the literature. Urologic Nursing, 38(2): 59-102. 10.7257/1053-816X.2018.38.2.59 

Educational Modules

Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. (December, 2019). COA-LTC: Transitional Care for Older Adults (for HHAs/CNAs). [Interactive Learning Module]. ArchCare. https://www.archcare.org/caremember/workforce-investment-organization  

Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. (December, 2019). COA-LTC: Transitional Care for Older Adults, A Case Study (for HHAs/CNAs). [Interactive Case Study]. ArchCare. https://www.archcare.org/caremember/workforce-investment-organization    

NOTE: *COA-LTC stands for Care of Older Adults in Long-term Care

Other Publications

Faculty of Wagner College’s Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing. Faculty of Wagner College. Nursing needs hands-on experience (Opinion). Silive Dec. 22, 2020 https://www.silive.com/news/2020/12/nursing-students-need-hands-on-experience-opinion.html  

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2018 revised) Try this: Best practices in nursing care to older adults. Urinary incontinence assessment in older adults: Part II – transient urinary incontinence. In S. Greenberg (Ed.) Try This: Best Practices in Nursing Care to Older Adults from the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, Issue 11.2. Available at https://hign.org/consultgeri/try-this-series/urinary-incontinence-assessment-older-adults-part-ii-established

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2018 revised) Try this: Best practices in nursing care to older adults. Urinary incontinence assessment in older adults: Part II – established urinary incontinence. In S. Greenberg (Ed.) Try This: Best Practices in Nursing Care to Older Adults from the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, Issue 11.2. Available at https://hign.org/consultgeri/try-this-series/urinary-incontinence-assessment-older-adults-part-ii-established

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2011). Why is my mother wearing a diaper? In In M. Wallace-Kazer & L. Neal-Boylan (eds). Case Studies for Gerontological Nursing for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Des Moines, IA: Wiley-Blackwell & Sons Publishing.

Tooker, P., Dowling-Castronovo, A., & Nadeau, C. (2010). African Refuge: Partnership in community health. In J. J., Fitzpatrick, T. D. Aiken, & C. Shultz (eds.) Giving Through Teaching: How Nurse Educators Are Changing the World. The National League of Nursing (NLN) Foundation. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

NOTE: There was an error in printing that resulted in 2^nd and 3^rd author not credited.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2009). Man with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. In M. Lunney (Ed.), Critical thinking to achieve positive health outcomes: Nursing case studies and analyses. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2001). Uterine, Cystocele/Rectocele, and Rectal Prolapse. In Mezey, M. D., Bottrell M. M., Berkman, B. J., Callahan, C., Fulmer T. T., Mitty, E. L., Paveza, The Encyclopedia of Elder Care: The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric and Social Care. G. J., Siegler E. L., and Strumpf, N. E. (Eds.) (2001) New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2000, November). Try this: Best practices in nursing care to older adults. Urinary incontinence assessment. In M. Wallace (Ed.) Try This: Best Practices in Nursing Care to Older Adults from the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, 2(4).

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2000). Certification in Gerontological Nursing. In Fitzpatrick, J. J. & Fulmer, T. (Eds.). Geriatric Nursing Digest. 130-132. Springer Publishing Company. 

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2000). Gerontological Nursing – Advanced Practice. In Fitzpatrick, J.J. & Fulmer, T. (Eds.). 160-163. Geriatric Nursing Digest. Springer Publishing Company.

Selected Presentations

Chapman, S. A., Imes, A., & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (September 16, 2022). What Matters? Lessons Learned by Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses. Gerontological Advance Practice Nurses Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

DeFazio, J., & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (April 27, 2021.) Behavioral Challenges with Residents in an Assisted Living Facility: Supporting the Direct Care Workers. SIGMA Collaborative Research/Evidence-Base Practice Expo, Wagner College, Virtual Conference.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. Challenging Each Other: Above & Beyond, Invited Keynote Speaker, Convocation. August 27, 2021. Wagner College, Staten Island, NY.

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Zhang, N., & Bradway, C., (October, 2020) Benign Genitourinary Conditions – Are They Really Benign? uroLogic, Society of Urologic Nursing and Associates, Virtual Conference.

Drapala, M. & Dowling-Castronovo, A. Patient Centered Goals of Care. In Updates in Geriatrics: Leveraging Age-Friendly Care. November 21, 2019. Department of Medicine. Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health, Staten Island, New York.

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Ostaszkiewicz, J., Palmer, M. H., & Bradway, C. Cultivating the next generation of nurse leaders to create a global vision and strategic plan for geriatric UI/LUTS, August 28, 2018, International Continence Society, Philadelphia, PA. Available: https://www.ics.org/2018/session/3866

Bradway, C. & Dowling-Castronovo, A. Setting the Course – a Research Agenda for Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly, October 14, 2017, uroLogic, Society of Urologic Nursing and Associates, Chicago, Illinois.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. & Zagorin, A. (June 3, 2017). 70 ~ Now What? Invited Presenter: Wagner College Alumni Weekend

McAvoy, P., O’Connor, K., Falana, T., Prial, Dowling-Castronovo, A., Capuozzo, J., Gianfagna, T., Loghmanieh, N., Forte, F., and staff in critical care units and Emergency Department (April 24, 2017) Advanced Illness. Collaborative Research/Evidence-Base Practice Expo, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (October 7, 2015). Invited Presenter: University of Pennsylvania N813 Course: Grounded Theory Methodology.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (April 30, 2015). A Grounded Theory of Older Adults with New-Onset Urinary Incontinence. Collaborative Research/Evidence-Base Practice Expo, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2014, November). Regaining Control: How Older Adults with New-Onset Urinary Incontinence Work to Resolve their Main Concern at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (June 22, 2013) Regaining Control: A Grounded Theory Hospitalized Older Adults with New-Onset Urinary Incontinence. Grounded Theory Seminar, Mill Valley, California Richardson, N. & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (April 26, 2013). Wagner Case Studies. Media Literacy in Teaching & Learning: Workshop, Wagner College, Staten Island, New York. http://wagner.edu/academics/academic-news/provost/media-literacy-in-teaching-learning/

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (March 30, 2011) A Grounded Theory Study of New-Onset Urinary Incontinence in Hospitalized Older Adults. March into Evidence Based Nursing Practice and Research Expo, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York

Mezey, M. M., Clemmens, D., Wexler, S., Dowling-Castronovo, A., & Wilson, L., (October 13, 2010). Integrating Care of Older Adults in Student Clinical Rotations in Hospitals: Resources for Clinical Faculty. Webinar. American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC. [Website no longer available]

Nadeau, C. & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (September 24, 2010), “Providing Culturally-Relevant Care in Diverse Settings: Academic-Community Partnership” National Summit of Clinicians for Healthcare Justice, September 23-25, 2010, Washington, DC.

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Gibson, L., Stepnick, A. (2010). Partnerships, Civic Engagement and Internationalization. Proceedings of The New American Colleges & Universities, June 17, 2010, Wagner College, Staten Island, New York.

Moriarty, H. J., Robinson, J. P., Bunting-Perry, L., & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (February, 2008). Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Dimensions of the Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Experience in Men with Parkinson’s Disease. Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) 2008 Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Dowling-Castonovo, A. & Bradway, C. (2007-2009); Bradway as invited faculty presenter for all sessions). Geriatric syndromes: Assessment and management of urinary incontinence in older adults with complex illness. Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium (GNEC). Faculty Development Institute, “Preparing Nursing Students to Care for Older Adults: Enhancing Gerontology in Senior Level Undergraduate Courses”. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Washington, DC (June 2007: Portland, OR; October 2007: Atlanta, GA).

Resnick, B., Vogel, A., & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2004, November). “Participant’s Experiences in the SESEP,” at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

Vogel, A. & Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2004, November). “Partnering for Successful Health Promotion Projects,” at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

Dowling-Castronovo, A., Capezuti, E., Sirota, T., Richardson, H., Clemmens, D., Jackson, N., Knapp, R., Ayello, E. & Fulmer, T. (November 11, 2004). Enhancing Gerontological Baccalaureate Nursing Education,” Poster presentation, The Annual Nursing Baccalaureate Conference of the American Association of College of Nursing, “Fortifying the Foundations: Teaching From an Evidence Base in Baccalaureate Education.”

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (March 15, 2003). Gerontological Nursing Careers. The Nursing Student Association of New York    

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2002, November). Nursing Care of Older Adults Interest Group: Enhancing Undergraduate Gerontological Nursing Curriculum. Symposium conducted at the Annual Scientific Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (November 15, 2002). Gero-Clinical Innovations. In panel presentation of “’Gerontolizing’ the Baccalaureate Program”. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Pre-conference, Orlando, Florida.

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (March 2002 – 2009; Annually). Using Geriatric Assessment Instruments: TRY THEM! Full day conference presented as part of The Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers, The John A. Hartford Foundation’s Institute for Geriatric Nursing and NYU The College of Nursing

Dowling-Castronovo, A. (January 4, 2001). Keynote Address. College of Staten Island’s Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

Media Coverage

Bicyclists Rally in Celebration of Lower Speed Limit on Hylan Boulevard (2021). Silive. https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2021/05/bicyclists-rally-in-celebration-of-lower-speed-limit-on-hylan-boulevard.html

Professional Associations

• American Nurses Association
• National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence
• National Academies of Practice
• Gerontological Advance Practice Nurses Association
• Society of Urological Nurses Association

Specialty Certifications

• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center

Accomplishments

• 2023: Fellow, National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Nursing
• 2021: Faculty Exceptional Performance Award, Teaching, Wagner College
• 2020: Service Above Self Award, Staten Island Rotary Club
• 2020: Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing, National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence
• 2018: Sigma Theta Tau, Mu Upsilon Chapter – Excellence in Education Award
• 2016: Recognition Award, Palliative Care Team – SIUH; American Cancer Society
• 2013: Transportation Alternatives Community Partner Award – 2013
• 2010-12: Jonas Nursing Scholar – Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence
• 2000: New York University School of Education Division of Nursing Adjunct Faculty Award
• 2000: Sigma Theta Tau, Mu Upsilon Chapter – Excellence in Practice Award
• 1990: The College of Staten Island’s Dr. Marcus Nursing Scholarship
• 1989: The College of Staten Island’s Presidential Scholarship

Professional Service and Leadership Activities

International

• Sigma
  • Moderator: Implementing EBP in the Hospice Setting: A critical Step Toward Improving End-of-Life Care, L. M. Quinlin and Nurse’s Comfort in Palliative Care: A National Survey, A Parekh de Campos & K. Kim, November 18, 2019, Sigma Convention, Washington, DC.
• Manuscript Review Panel:
  • 2021 – present, International Journal of Nursing Studies
• International Learning Collaborative
  • Member, 2020- present
  • Member of Organizing Committee, 2023 Annual International Conference
• International Academy of Nursing Editors
  • Member, 2020-present.
  • Attendee, E3: Extreme Education for Editors 2020

National

• Middle States Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Peer Evaluator 2019- present
• National Institute of Health
  • Attendee, Uncovering the Hidden Burden of Benign Genitourinary Conditions workshop, National Institute of Kidney Diabetes and Digestive Disorders. October 6-7, 2019
  • Member of Writing Team and Co-lead of Inflection Point Model Writing Team for Manuscript Development
• Urological Nursing Journal, official journal of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
  • 5/2017- present: Editorial Board Member
  • 2015-2017: Manuscript reviewer
• The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing
  • 2000-present, Nursing Advisor
  • Summer 2016 Reviewer, PCOA-RN Modules for ConsultGeri.org Palliative and Hospice Care/ Advance Directives
  • 2010 The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing (Hartford Institute), College of Nursing, New York University, “Transitioning to Adult-Gerontology APRN Education: Ensuring the APRN Workforce is Prepared to Care for Older Adults”
• Jonas Scholar Alumni Advisory Council
  • 2016-2018, Inaugural member and elected Chairperson
• Manuscript Review Panel:
  • 2009 – present, American Journal of Nursing
  • 2017 – present, Geriatric Nursing
  • 2021 – present, Research in Nursing and Health
  • The Nurse Practitioner in Urology (book proposal); Reviewer, 2019
• Participant
  • 9th Annual Bedside to Bench Conference “Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly: A Translational Research Agenda for a Complex Geriatric Syndrome.” (October, 2016) Application process for formal invitation to attend; funded by a U13 grant awarded to the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Additional support was provided by Medtronic.