Tammy Cupit, PhD, RN-BC
Director, Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice
UTMB Health System
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is pleased to highlight alumna Tammy Cupit, PhD, RN-BC. Dr. Cupit received her associate’s degree in nursing from Galveston College, followed by her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix. She enrolled in the Nursing PhD Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and received her doctoral degree with an emphasis on research and education in 2013.
Dr. Cupit joined UTMB in 1993 when she worked as a patient care technician in the Recovery Room during her last year of nursing school. She worked for twenty years as a nurse clinician, nurse navigator, and triage nurse in the UTMB Emergency Department, Department of Psychiatry, and Ambulatory Care. Dr. Cupit currently serves as the Director of Nursing Science and Innovation for the UTMB Health System, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor for the UTMB School of Nursing.
In her current role, Dr. Cupit conducts local and multi-site research, assists with the teaching of evidence-based practice, and helps oversee the first Medical MakerSpace in the nation. Her academic area of interest focuses on social and behavioral research as it relates to human aggression and sexuality. She also studies nurse-to-nurse work relationships and interactions and the correlating impact on personal health, professional performance, and patient care. She has secured funding for multiple grant proposals researching areas including the needs of children of incarcerated parents, managing avoidable readmissions, and family life and sexual health education.
Dr. Cupit has been actively engaged in nursing education at UTMB for both students and nurses. She instructs BSN, DNP, and PhD nursing students and also develops curriculum for research training programs for nurses. She has led or co-led a variety of initiatives promoting clinical safety, innovation, and quality improvement. She has been recognized with numerous awards including the Good Samaritan Excellence in Nursing Bronze Award three years in a row and the UTMB School of Nursing Hall of Fame Award. Congratulations to Dr. Cupit as the GSBS 50th Anniversary May alumna!