Audra Hanners

I started exploring research as an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and work in cancer and neuroscience research labs. However, my desire to translate bench research into meaningful practice led me to the evidence-based practice (EBP) expert education of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. As an advance practice registered nurse (APRN) with a family nurse practitioner specialty, my work in community home care and primary care set the stage for starting my own health coaching business. Through my continued entrepreneurial work and as faculty at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, I have identified gaps in my evidence-based practice knowledge. Through collaborations with PhD scientists, community partners and other professionals I enjoy exploring solutions to clinical needs I identify in practice.

As a DNP student I designed, implemented, and evaluated the Keto Prescribed program in a small group of African American/Black women based off of healthcare needs I identified as a nurse practitioner. I counseled participants, created an educational support website with social media access, gave scientific and lay presentations, and linked African American women to accessible resources. I observed disparities in nutrition education and gross misunderstanding about ketogenic eating and how it relates to health and well-being.

I am an American Nutrition Association and Board of Nutrition Specialists Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist CKNS ⸺ increasing my knowledge of the biochemical/metabolic processes and scientific research on ketogenic dietary therapies. I completed the Evidence-Based Practice Certification program at The Ohio State University Helene Fuld Institute of Evidence-Based Practice increasing my skill in evaluating research evidence and designing an implementation plan for practice. I am soon to license as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to further enhance my holistic approach to nursing practice.

As a clinician, professor, and entrepreneur I have established working relationships with interdisciplinary transformational leaders in academia (at Ohio State), industry (community primary care clinics) and the larger Ohio Community (Partners Achieving Community Transformation [P.A.C.T.]). Leveraging these relationships has led to a professorship at Ohio State, presentations at conferences publications, and current international and foundation funding for two group studies of my Keto Prescribed program acceptability and readiness to pilot.

As a nurse practitioner I have patient care experience and understand the value of engaging patients in their health. As an academic I have experience educating the future nurses about the importance of nursing practice and its focus on patient wellness, disease prevention and reversal. As an entrepreneur I have experience in consumer market analysis, business planning, and proof of concept design and commercialization for product and service development.

Current projects:

• go.osu.edu/ketoprescribed
• go.osu.edu/healthybehaviors