Shirley was employed as a Community Scientist from 2015 until her death in 2024.
After completing a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing, Shirley Bloodworth became a nursing instructor of psychiatric nursing at Central Florida College. In 1968, she joined the UF College of Nursing as the Nursing Director of the inpatient Clinical Research Center (CRC) at UF. Following her first retirement in 1980, she pursued additional education at UF with post-master’s studies in Counselor Education. Shirley then accepted a nursing position with Hospice and established the “Bridges” program, which later evolved into the “Transitions” Program. At Hospice, she was appointed Community Chair of the “End of Life Coalition” and helped develop an Advance Directive “Kit” as an educational tool, conducting numerous community seminars on advance directives and health care planning.
In her later career, Shirley developed and served as Director of the PrimeTime Institute at Santa Fe College, a lifelong learning program now continued at the Senior Center in Gainesville. She has participated in many research studies as a volunteer subject, gaining a deep appreciation for the role of research participants and a strong belief in community involvement in scientific advancement.
In 2015, Shirley became employed as a Community Scientist. She served on the Clinical and Translational Science Institute Steering Committee, the Cancer Advisory Board, and was involved in research review and community outreach. Shirley was also involved with HealthStreet, and served as a member of its Community Outreach programming. Through the Community Scientist program, she has also served on committees and contributed to the development of research protocols at Duke University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and other research institutes.
Areas of Interests
- Allergy/Immunology
- Anesthesia-associated outcomes
- Cancer
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease
- Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
- Endocrinological and Metabolic Disorders
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Gynecology and Reproductive Disorders
- Infectious Diseases
- Mental Health and Disorders
- Movement Disorders
- Nutritional Immunology
- Oral Health
- Pain Management
- Palliative and Hospice Care
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Public Health
- Sleeping Disorders
- Social Determinants of Health