Home Loewenberg College of Nursing Faculty & Staff Reba Umberger

Reba Umberger, PhD, MS, RN, CCRN-K

Associate Professor

Phone
901-678-4709
Email
rumbergr@memphis.edu
Fax
901-678-4906
Office
3517 Community Health Building
Office Hours
Contact for Appointment
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About Reba Umberger

Dr. Umberger joined the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) in 2021 as an Associate Professor. She currently teaches courses in LCON’s PhD and graduate programs. For over 30 years, she has specialized in critical care as a bedside nurse, research nurse coordinator, research administrator and nurse scientist. Her program of research focuses on improving long-term outcomes in survivors of sepsis and their informal caregivers.

She received an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Science degree in Epidemiology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. Dr. Umberger completed a pre-doctoral fellowship in genetics with the National Institute of Nursing Research. Her dissertation examined the influence of exaggerated inflammatory cytokines, cytokine polymorphisms, and environmental factors on the development of secondary infections in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis. She received funding for this work from the International Society of Nurses in Genetics. Her thesis research examined obesity-related comorbidities within an exercise intervention trial. She has completed several funded projects and authored/co-authored many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Dr. Umberger serves on the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Thrive Patient and Family Support Committee. She is a past president of Sigma Theta Tau's Gamma Chi Chapter. She has served on research review panels, as a peer reviewer and currently serving on the editorial review panel for Biological Research for Nursing. She periodically serves on grant review panels.

  • PhD in Nursing Science (2011)
  • MSN in Epidemiology (2004)
  • BS in Biology (1994)
  • ADN in Nursing (1987)

  • Acute Care
  • Adult Health
  • Community/Population Health
  • Families
  • Infectious Disease
  • Research Methods

  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses
  • American Nurses Association
  • Sigma Theta Tau International
  • Society of Critical Care Medicine
  • Southern Nursing Research Society

  • Gamma Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, University of Tennessee College of Nursing, and University of
  • Tennessee Medical Center Joint Research Day, First Place Poster for Research Projects (2016)
  • Sigma Theta Tau Gamma Chi Chapter: Research Excellence Award (2015)
  • Selected for UT Knoxville’s Grant Writing Institute (2012)
  • UT Knoxville’s Faculty First Award, Development of Online Epidemiology Course for Clinical Practice (2012)
  • NIH Fellow, NINR Summer Genetics Institute (2008)
  • Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Beta Theta at Large Chapter (2007)
  • NWJC, Outstanding Leadership and Significant Student Contribution Award (1987)

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  • Meduri, G.U., Shih, M., Bridges, L., Martin, T., Solh, A.E., Seam, N., Davis-Karim, A, Umberger, R.A., Anzueto, A., A., Sriram, P., Lan, C., Restrepo, M., Guardiola J.J., Buck, T., Johnson, D.P., Suffredini, A., Bell, W., Lin J., Zhao, L., Uyeda, L., Nielson L., Huang, G., & the ESCAPe Study Team. (2022). Low-dose methylprednisolone treatment in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia. Intensive Care Medicine, 48(8), 1009-1023. doi: 10.1007/s00134-022-06684-3. (data-based)
  • Haji Assa, A., & Umberger, R. (2022). A concept analysis of family caregivers’ uncertainty of patient’s illness. Nursing Forum, 57(1), 121-126. https://doi org.ezproxy.memphis.edu/10.1111/nuf.12645 
  • Haji Assa, A., Wicks, M., & Umberger, R. (2021). State of the science review: Impact of delirium among family caregivers in critical care unit. American Journal of Critical Care, 30(6) 471-478.  doi:https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2021394 
  • Umberger, R., Todt, K.*, Sparks, L., Talbott, E., & Thomas S. (2021). Advocating for a loved one in the setting of uncertainty: A mixed-methods study among caregivers of sepsis survivors at the point of a sepsis readmission Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 40 (1) 36-50. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000449 (data-based)
  • Salton, F.*,  Confalonieri, P.*, Meduri, G.U., Santus, P, Harari, S., Scala, H., Lanini, S. ; Vertui, V., Oggionni, T., ; Caminati, A.,  Patruno,V.,  Tamburrini, M., Scartabellati, A., Parati, M., Villani, M.,  Radovanovic, D.; Tomassetti,,S., Ravaglia,C.,; Poletti, P., Vianello, A., Talia Gaccione, A., ; Guidelli, L., Raccanelli, R., Lucernoni, P., Lacedonia, D.,Foschino Barbaro, M.P.,  Centanni, S., Mondoni, M., Davì, M., Fantin, A., Cao, X., Torelli, L., Zucchetto, A; Montico, M., Casarin, A., Romagnoli, M., Gasparini, S.,  Bonifazi, M., D’Agaro,P., Marcello, A.,; Licastro, D., Ruaro, B., Volpe, M.C., Umberger, R.., Confalonieri, M. (2020). Prolonged low-dose methylprednisolone in patients with severe COVID-19. Open Forum Infectious Disease, 7(10)1-8.  https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa421 *denoted equal contribution. (data-based)
  • Mikkelsen, M.E., Still, M., Anderson, B., Bienvenu, J., Brodsky, M., Brummel, N., Butcher, B., Clay, A., Felt, H., Ferrante, L., Haines, K.J., Harhay, M., Hope, A., Hopkins, M., Hosey, M., Hough, T., Jackson, J., Johnson, J., Kahn, B., Lone, N., MacTavish, P., McPeake, J., Montgomery, A., Needham, D., Netzer, G., Schor, C., Skidmore, B., Stollings, J., Umberger, R., Andrews, A., Iwashyna, T., & Sevin, C.M. (2020). Society of Critical Care Medicine’s International Consensus Conference on prediction and identification of long-term impairments after critical illness. Critical Care Medicine, 48(11), 1670-1679. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004586 
  • Harris, P., & Umberger, R.  (2020). State of the science: Long-term renal outcomes after sepsis induced acute kidney injury. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 39(5), 259-268. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000432 
  • Vacheron, N., McClinton, T., Lunch-Smith D.J., & Umberger, R. (2020). Mast cell activation syndrome. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. doi:10.1097/JXX.0000000000000396 
  • Umberger, R. (2019). What’s the best core measure after critical illness when the IES-R is no longer accessible for new researchers? Critical Care. Critical Care. 23:313 doi: 10.1186/s13054-019-2595-2
  • Umberger, R., & Thomas S. (2019). Survivor but not fully recovered: the lived experience after one year of surviving sepsis. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 38(6):317-327. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000381 (data-based)
  • Umberger, R, Indranoi, C., Simpson, M., Jensen, R., Shamiyeh, J., & Yende, S. (2019). Enhanced screening and research data collection via automated EHR data capture and early identification of sepsis. Sage Open Nursing. 5: 1-11 doi: 10.1177/23779608198850972 (data-based)
  • Oppizzi, L., & Umberger, R. (2018). State of the science: The effect of physical activity on post traumatic stress disorder symptom severity. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 39 (2): 179-187. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2017.1391903 
  • Woodward, B.*, & Umberger, R. (2018). Unit level changes in central line-associated bloodstream infection before and after implementation of the Affordable Care Act and mandatory reporting legislation. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 37 (1): 35-43. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000274 (data-based) *NHP UG Student
  • Meduri, G.U., & Umberger, R. (2018). Dysregulated systemic inflammation favors bacterial growth and development of nosocomial infections. Reply letter. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 197 (8): 1092. doi:10.1164/rccm.201709-1867LE 
  • Umberger, R.,  Hatfield, L.A., & Speck, P.M. (2017). Understanding negative predictive value of diagnostic tests used in clinical practice. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 36(1): 22-29. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000219
  • Woodward, B., & Umberger, R. (2016). Review of best practices for CLABSI prevention and the impact of recent legislation on CLABSI reporting. SAGE Open, 6(4). doi: 10.1177/2158244016677747 Accessible at: http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/6/4/2158244016677747
  • Hatfield, L.A., & Umberger, R. (2016). Parental knowledge and misconceptions of risks to healthy newborns in genotypic driven pediatric research. Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing, 2(2): doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.16966/2470-0983.111 (data-based)
  • Umberger, R., Garsee, K., Davidson, B., Carringer, J.A., Kuhl, D., & Muthiah, M. (2016). The utility of the Candida score in patients with sepsis. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 35(2):92­8. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000163. (data-based) PMID: 26836603 
  • Umberger, R., Callen, B., & Brown, M.L. (2015). Severe sepsis in older adults. Critical Care Nurse Quarterly, 38(3):259­70. doi: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000078
  • Umberger, R., Thompson, C. L., Cashion, A. K., Kuhl, D., Wan, J., Yates, C. R., Muthiah, M. & Meduri, G. U. (2015). Exaggerated plasma interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and subsequent development of health care-associated infections in patients with sepsis. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 34(2), 100-111. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000098 (data-based)
  • Hatfield, L. A., & Umberger, R. (2015). Does mitigating pain decrease the risk of infection? The interactions between nociception and immune function. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 21(1), 11-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2014.10.002
  • Umberger, R., Holston, E.C., Hutson, S.P., & Pierce, M. (2013). Nursing genomics: Practice implications every nurse should know. Nursing Clinics of North America, 48(4):499-522. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2013.08.006
  • Cashion, A.K., Umberger, R.A., Goodwin, S.B., & Sutter, T.R. (2011). Collection and storage of human blood and adipose for genomic analysis of clinical samples. Research in Nursing and Health, 34(5), 408-418. doi: 10.1002/nur.20448 [Epub ahead of print] (data-based)
  • Nawab Q, Golden E, Confalonieri M, Umberger R, & Meduri G. (2011). Corticosteroid treatment in severe community­acquired pneumonia: duration of treatment affects control of systemic inflammation and clinical improvement. Intensive Care Medicine, 37(9), 1553-1554. doi: 10.1007/s00134-011-2274-5 [Epub ahead of print] (data-based)
  • Laime, A., Bracco, J., Barberio, P., Campagne C.’ Rolfo, V., Umberger, R., & Meduri, GU. (2010). H1N1 Influenza A virus­associated acute lung injury: Response to combination oseltamivir and prolonged corticosteroid treatment. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(1), 33-41. doi: 10.1007/s00134-009-1727-6. [Epub ahead of print] (data-based)
  • Li, S., Stuart, L., Zhang, Y., Meduri, G. U., Umberger, R., & Yates, C. R. (2009). Inter­individual variability of plasma PAF­acetylhydrolase activity in ARDS patients and PAFAH genotype. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 34(4): 447­455. doi: JCP1014 [pii] 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2008.01014.x (data-based)
  • Meduri, G. U., Golden, E., Freire, A. X., Taylor, E., Zaman, M., Carson, S. J., . . . Umberger, R. (2007). Methylprednisolone infusion in early severe ARDS: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Chest, 131(4), 954-963. doi: 131/4/954 [pii]10.1378/chest.06-2100 (data-based)
  • Sinclair S.E., John, B.E., Golden E.B., Carratu P., Umberger R.A., & Meduri G.U. (2006). Interleukin­8 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule­1 during acute respiratory distress syndrome and in response to prolonged methylprednisolone treatment. Minerva Pneumologica, 45(2): 93­103. (data-based)
  • Meduri G.U., Umberger R., & Confalonieri, M. (2005). Hydrocortisone infusion for severe community­acquired pneumonia: The role of relative adrenal insufficiency. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,172(6):782­783. doi:10.1164/rccm.200406-808OC
  • Confalonieri, M., Urbino, R., Potena, A., Piattella, M., Parigi, P., Puccio, G., [Umberger, R.]. . . Meduri, G. U. (2005). Hydrocortisone infusion for severe community-acquired pneumonia: a preliminary randomized study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 171(3), 242-248. doi: 200406-808OC [pii]10.1164/rccm.200406-808OC 
  • Carratu, P., Morelli, N., Freire, A. X., Pugazhenthi, M., Guerra, S., Umberger, R., & Allegra, L. (2003). Effect of zafirlukast on methacholine and ultrasonically nebulized distilled water challenge in patients with mild asthma. Respiration, 70(3), 249-253. doi: 10.1159/00007200572005  
  • Tolley, E.A., Meduri, G.U., Headley, A.S., Golden, E., Carson, S.J., & Umberger, R.A. (1998). Methylprednisolone for unresolving ARDS—Reply. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(24): 2074. doi:10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-280-24-jbk1223
  • Meduri, G.U., Headley, A.S., Golden, E., Carson, S.J., Umberger, R.A., Kelso, T., & Tolley, E. A. (1998). Effect of prolonged methylprednisolone therapy in unresolving acute respiratory distress syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(2), 159-165. doi: jce80019    
  • Meduri, G.U., Headley, S., Kohler, G., Stentz, F., Tolley, E., Umberger, R., & Leeper, K. (1995). Persistent elevation of inflammatory cytokines predicts a poor outcome in ARDS. Plasma IL­1 beta and IL­6 levels are consistent and efficient predictors of outcome over time. Chest, 107(4): 1062­1073. PMID: 7705118 (data-based)  


BOOK CHAPTERS

  • Umberger, R., Mefford, L. (2019). Disorders of renal function. In Norris, T. L. (Ed.) Porth’s pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states. (10th ed.) (Edited Chapter) ISBN#9781496377555
  • Umberger, R. Yende, S. (2019). Mechanisms of infectious diseases. In Norris, T. L. (Ed.) Porth’s pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states. (10th ed.) (Edited Chapter) ISBN#9781496377555
  • Mefford, L., Umberger, R. (2019). Structure and function of the kidney. In Norris, T. L. (Ed.) Porth’s pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states. (10th ed.) (Edited Chapter) ISBN#9781496377555
  • Umberger, R., Callen, B., & Brown, M. L. (2018). Manifestations of sepsis in older adults. In T. Fulop, C. Franceschi, K. Hirokawa & G. Pawelec (Eds.), Handbook of Immunosenescence: Basic Understanding and Clinical Applications (2nd ed.): Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64597-1_135-1 


THESIS AND DISSERTATION

  • Umberger, R. (2011). Inflammatory proteins, genetic variation, and environmental influences on health care associated infection development in sepsis. Doctoral Dissertation in Nursing Science. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center.   Chair: Dr. Carol Thompson, Committee: Dr. Ann Cashion, Dr, David Kuhl, Dr. Jim Wan, and Dr. C. Ryan Yates
  • Umberger, R. (2004). Obesity-related comorbidities’ influence on cardiovascular risk factors, fitness, and physical activity in an ongoing exercise intervention trial. Master’s Thesis in Epidemiology.  The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Chair: Dr. Andrew J. Bush, Committee: Dr. Mathilda C. Coday and Dr. Laura Carbone

Exploring the role of social determinants of health on 90-day sepsis readmissions. 2022-2023 Communities of Research Scholars (CoRS) Proposal. The University of Memphis.