Samuel Frazer Sears Jr., Ph.D.
Curriculum Vita
January 2010
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Office Address:
East Carolina University
Department of Psychology
110 Rawl Hall
Greenville, NC 27858
Office :
(252) 328-6118
Fax:
(252) 328-6283
E-Mail:
searss@ecu.edu
Licensed Clinical Psychologist:
North Carolina:
3500
Florida:
5538
Web site: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/psyc/searss/index.cfm
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Ph.D.
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (1995)
Major:
Clinical and Health Psychology
Minor:
Medical Psychology
Residency
University of Mississippi Medical Center/Veterans Affairs (1994-95)
Medical Center Consortium, Jackson, MS
M.S.
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (1992)
Major:
Clinical and Health Psychology
B.S.
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (1990)
Major:
Psychology
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Professor
East Carolina University
Director - Health Psychology Program
2007-present
Department of Psychology (Tenured)
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
University of Florida
1995-2007
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology (Tenured)
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (Joint Appointment)
PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
2007-present
Professor and Director of Health Psychology
East Carolina University
Department of Psychology (Tenured)
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Responsible for the initiation and management of the inaugural year of
the Ph.D. Health Psychology Program. Additional management
activities include direction of outpatient and inpatient psychological
research and care of electrophysiology patients with ICDs and
pacemakers.
2001-2007
1995-2007
1995-2001
Associate Professor (Tenured)
University of Florida
Division Head – Medical Psychology
Medical Psychology Service - Attending Psychologist
Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track)
Didactic efforts included supervision of trainees at all levels in
integrated cardiology-health psychology practice and research.
1995-2001
Rural Psychology Program - Co-Director
Area Head - Primary Care Psychology
University of Florida
North Florida Area Health Education Center
Rural psychology outreach consultation, assessment, and treatment
throughout Florida. Practice settings include county public health units
and primary care clinics. Consultation with the Cooperative Extension
Service in health education and health promotion programming.
AREAS OF INTEREST AND SPECIALIZATION
Behavioral Cardiology
Biomedical Devices: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Rural Health Psychology
Psychosocial Aspects of Organ Transplantation and Donation
PERSONAL HONORS / AWARDS
Treasured Pirate Award: East Carolina University (Fall 2008)
*Research Mentor of the Year (2006)
*Research Mentor of the Year (2002)
*Research Mentor of the Year (2000)
*Classroom Teacher of the Year (2004)
*Classroom Teacher of the Year (2002)
* = Awarded by the graduate students of Dept. of Clinical and Health Psychology at the
University of Florida
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 3)
Professional Service Awards
Early Contributions to Psychology Award (1998)
Awarded by the Florida Psychological Association for work in professional advocacy, clinical
service to underserved populations, teaching, and research in clinical psychology.
Who’s Who in America (2000)
Outstanding Young Man of America (1998)
Outstanding Young Man of America (1996)
Research Awards
Regional:
University of Florida College of Health Related Professions Research Award (1995)
National:
Highest rated abstract: Annual Meeting of the North American Society of Pacing and
Electrophysiology 2002: $1000 Award:
Saia Lewis, T., Sears, S.F., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., Wallace, R., Conners, N., Lee, J.T., King, L.A.,
Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2002). Psychological predictors of quality of life in
implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology,
Abstract, In press
American Psychological Association Dissertation Research Award (1994)
American Psychological Association Convention Travel Research Award Winner (1992)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE/ADMINISTRATIVE
Manuscript Reviewer:
Editorial Board for the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (2001-present)
Editorial Board for Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (2001-present)
Editorial Board for Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (2000-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the British Journal of Health Psychology (2002)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Psychosomatic Medicine (2002-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Clinical Cardiology (2000-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology (2000-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the JACC: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1999-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association (1999-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (1999-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the PACE: Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology (1999-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (1996-present)
Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (1997)
National:
Elected, Committee on Rural Health, American Psychological Association (1998-2001)
Board of Directors, Cardiac Arrest Survivors Network (2000-present)
Member, Work Group USDHHS/SAMSHA/CMHS Work Group for the Integration of Primary and
Behavioral Health Care, Washington DC (1997)
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 4)
State:
Federal Advocacy Coordinator, Florida Psychological Association (1996-2000)
Membership Chair, Florida Psychological Association, North Central Florida Chapter (1996)
President, Florida Psychological Association, Student Section (1993)
President, Psi Chi, University of Florida Chapter (1989-90)
University/College:
Member, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Treatment Team, Shands Hospital, (1997-2004)
Member, Design Team FL516, Decisions for Health, IFAS (1995-1999)
Member, Scholarship Committee, College of Health Professions (1996-present)
Member, Committee for Balancing Work and Family, UF IFAS (1998-2002)
Guest, Awareness for Preparedness: Live Disaster Teleconference, UF IFAS (1998)
Member, Cardiac Rehabilitation Steering Committee, Shands Hospital, (1996-97)
Member, Clinical and Health Psychology Chair Search Committee, College of Health Professions
(1997)
Department:
Member, Clinic Marketing Committee (2002)
Member, Curriculum Committee (1997-2001)
Member, Point System Review Committee (1998)
Member, Graduate Admissions Committee (1995, 1996)
Member, Internship Selections Committee (1995-present)
Member, Productivity Committee (1996-97)
TEACHING AND INSTRUCTION
CLP 7936 Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine (Fall 1998-2006)
PSY 4930 Clinical Health Psychology (Spring 2004)
CLP 7404 Professional Issues in Psychology, Team-Taught (Summer 2002)
CLP 7404 Professional Issues in Psychology, Team-Taught (Summer 2001)
NUR 6930 Behavioral and Biological Measurements, Guest Lecturer (Summer 2000)
CLP 7404 Professional Issues in Psychology, Team-Taught (Summer 1999)
CLP 7404 Professional Issues in Psychology, Co-Taught (Summer 1998)
Internship Professional Development- Part III, Guest Lecturer (Spring 1997)
Internship Professional Development- Part I & II, Guest Lecturer (Fall 1996)
CLP 7936 Health Psychology, Guest Lecturer (Summer, 1996)
Graduate Practicum in Medical Psychology (1995-present)
Advanced Practicum in Rural Health Psychology (Summer & Fall 1996)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association
Division 38 Health Psychology
Florida Psychological Association
Society of Behavioral Medicine
American Heart Association
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 5)
OTHER INTERESTS
Intercollegiate Football-University of Florida (1986-1988)
PUBLICATIONS
1) Sears, S.F., Matchett, M., & Conti, J.B. (2009). Effective management of ICD patient
psychosocial issues and patient critical events. Journal of Cardiovascular
Electrophysiology, 20, 1297-1304.
2) Sears, S.F., Vazquez, L.D., Matchett, M., & Pitzalis, M. (in press). State-of-the-art: Anxiety
management in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Stress and Health.
3) Sears, S.F., St Amant, J., & Zeigler, V. (in press). Psychosocial considerations for children
and young adolescents with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: An update. Pacing and
Clinical Electrophysiology.
4) Hirsh, A.T., Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2009). Cognitive and behavioral treatments for
anxiety and depression in a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): A
case report and clinical discussion, J of Clin Psychology in Med Settings.
5) Passman, R., Kadish, A., & Sears, S.F. (2009). HRQL with defibrillator therapy or
amiodarone in heart failure. New England Journal of Medicine, 360, 188-189.
6) Dixit, N.K., Vazquez, L.D., Cross, N.J., Kuhl, E.A., Serber, E.,R., Kovacs, A., Dede, D.E.,
Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2009). Cardiac resynchronization therapy: A pilot study
examining cognitive change in patients before and after treatment. Clinical Cardiology, In
press.
7) Kirian, K.B., Sears, S.F., Shea, J.B. (2009). How to respond to an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator recall. Circulation, 119, e189-191.
8) Hazelton, A.G., Sears, S.F., Kirian, K., Matchett, M., & Shea, J.B. (2009). Cardiac partner
page: Coping with cardiac disease and my partner’s ICD. Circulation, In press.
9) Shea, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2008). A patient’s guide to living with atrial fibrillation. Circulation,
117, e340-e343.
10) Matchett, M., Sears, S.F., Hazelton, G., Kirian, K., Wilson, E., & Nekkanti, R. (2009).The
implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Its history, its current psychological impact, and its
future. Expert Review of Medical Devices, 6, 43-50.
11) Birnie, D.H., Sears S.F., Green, M.S., Lemery, R, Gollob, M, & Amyotte, B. (2009). No longterm psychological morbidity living with an ICD under advisory: The Medtronic Marquis
experience, Europace, 11, 26-30.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 6)
12) Pedersen, SS, Sears, SF., Burg, M., van den Broek, KC (In press). Does ICD indication
affect quality of life and levels of distress? Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology.
13) Irvine, J., Firestone, J., Ong, L., Cribbie, R., Dorian, P., Harris, L., Ritvo, P., Katz, J.,
Newman, D., Cameron, D., Johnson, S., Bilanovic, A., Hill, A., O’Donnell, S., & Sears, S.F.
(2009, In press). Cognitive behavior therapy tailored to psychological adaptation for
recipients of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: An examination of participant
characteristics related to therapy engagement. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy.
14) Kuhl EA, Sears SF, Vazquez LD, Conti JB. (2009). Patient Assisted Computerized
Education for Recipients of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (PACER): A randomized
controlled trial of the PACER Program. J Cardiovasc Nurs, 24, 225-231.
15) Kovacs AH, Saidi AS, Kuhl EA, Sears S.F., Silversides C, Harrison JL, Ong L, Colman J,
Oechslin E, Nolan RP. (2009). Depression and anxiety in adults with congenital heart
disease: prevalence and predictors. International Journal of Cardiology, 137, 158-164.
16) Mishkin, JD, Saxonhouse, SJ, Woo, GW, Burkart, TA, Miles, WM, Conti, JB, Schofield, RS,
Sears, SF, & Aranda, JM. (2009). Appropriate evaluation and treatment of heart failure
patients after implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy: Time to go beyond the initial shock.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54, 1993-2000.
17) Pederson, S.S., Spindler, H., Johansen, J.B., Mortensen, P., & Sears, S.F. (2008).
Correlates of patient acceptance of the cardioverter-defibrillator: Cross-validation of the
Florida Patient Acceptance Survey in Danish patients. Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology, 31, 1168-1177.
18) Vazquez, L.D., Kuhl, E.A., Shea, J.B., Kirkness, A., Lemon, J., Whalley, D., Conti, J.B., &
Sears, S.F. (2008). Age-specific differences in women with implantable cardioverter
defibrillators: An international multi-center study. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 31,
1528-1534.
19) Kron, J., Aranda J.M., Miles, W.M., Burkart, T.A., Woo, G.W., Saxonhouse, S.J., Sears,
S.F., & Conti, J.B. (in press). Benefit of cardiac resynchronization in elderly patients:
Results from the Multicenter Insync Randomized Clinical Evaluation (MIRACLE) And
Multicenter Insync Icd Randomized Clinical Evaluation (MIRACLE-ICD) trials. Journal of
Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology.
20) Sears, S.F., Sowell, L.V., Kuhl, E.A., Kovacs, A.H., Serber, E.R., Handberg, E., Kneipp,
S.M., Zineh, I., & Conti, J.B. (2007). The ICD shock and stress management program: A
randomized trial of psychosocial treatment to optimize quality of life in ICD patients. Pacing
and Electrophysiology, 30, 858-864.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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21) Passman, R., Subacius, H., Ruo, B., Schaechter, A., Howard, A., Sears, S.F., Kadish, A.
(2007). Implantable cardioverter defibrillators and quality of life: Results from the
Defibrillators in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Treatment Evaluation Study. Archives of
Internal Medicine, 167, 2226-2232.
22) Stutts, L. A., Conti, J. B., Aranda, J. M., Miles, W. M., Burkart, T.A., Sears, S.F. (2007).
Patient evaluation of ICD recall communication strategies: A vignette study. Pacing and
Clinical Electrophysiology, 30, 1105-1111.
23) Saidi, AS, Paolillo, J, Fricker, FJ, Sears, SF, & Kovacs AH. (2007). Biomedical and
psychosocial evaluation of “cured” adults with congenital heart disease. Congenital Heart
Disease, 2, 44-54.
24) Serber, E. R., Sears, S. F., Nielsen, C. D., Spencer, III, W. H., Smith, K. M. (2007).
Depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with obstructive hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy 3 months after alcohol septal ablation. American Journal of Cardiology,
100, 1592-1597.
25) Pedersen, SS, van den Broek, KC, Sears, SF. (2007). Psychological intervention following
implantation with an implantable defibrillator: A systematic review and future
recommendations, Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 30, 1546-1554.
26) Stutts, L.A., Cross, N.J., Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2007). Examination of research trends
on patient factors in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Clinical Cardiology, 30,
64-68.
27) Sowell, L.V., Walker, R.L., Sears, S.F., Kuhl, E.A., & Conti, J.B. (2007). Anxiety and marital
adjustment in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients and their spouses. Journal of
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 27, 46-49.
28) Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2007). Cardiac resynchronization therapy: Can we make our
patients smarter? Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Asociation, 118,
153-164.
29) Sears, S.F., Stutts, L.A., Aranda, J.M., Handberg, E.M., & Conti, J.B. (2006). Managing
congestive heart failure patient factors in the device era. Congestive Heart Failure, 12, 335340.
30) Sowell, L.V., Kuhl, E.A., Sears, S.F., Klodell, C.T., & Conti, J.B. (2006). Device implant
technique and the consideration of body image: Specific procedures for female ICD
patients. Journal of Women's Health, 15, 830-835.
31) Kuhl, E.A., Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2006). Internet based behavioral change and
psychosocial care for cardiac patients: A review of cardiac disease-specific applications.
Heart and Lung, 35, 374-382.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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32) Urizar, G.G. & Sears, S.F. (2006). Psychosocial and cultural influences on cardiovascular
health and quality of life among Hispanic cardiac patients in south Florida. Journal of
Behavioral Medicine, 29, 255-268.
33) Kovacs, A.H., Silversides, C., Saidi, A., & Sears, S.F. (2006). The role of the psychologist in
adult congenital heart disease. Cardiology Clinics, 24, 607-618.
34) Kuhl, E.A., Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2006). Using computers to improve the psychosocial
care of implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients, Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology, 12, 1426-1433.
35) Sears, S.F., Sowell, L.V., Kuhl, E.A., Handberg, E., Kron, J., Aranda, J.M., & Conti, J.B.
(2006). Quality of death: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators and proactive care. Pacing
and Clinical Electrophysiology, 29, 637-642.
36) Kuhl, E.A., Dixit, N.K., Walker, R.L., Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2006). Measurement of
patient fears about implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock: An initial evaluation of the
Florida Shock Anxiety Scale. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 29, 614-618.
37) Kovacs, A.H., Feigofsky, S., Goff, J.S., Saidi, A.S., Curtis, A.B., Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F.
(2006). ICD implant-explant-implant case study: Addressing the psychological adjustment to
multiple shocks. Clinical Cardiology, 29, 274-276.
38) Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2006). EDITORIAL: Psychosocial aspects of cardiac devices and
recalls in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. American Journal of
Cardiology, 98, 565-567.
39) Saidi, A.A., Paolillo, J., Fricker, F.J., Sears, S.F., & Kovacs, A.H. (2006). Biomedical and
Psychosocial Evaluation of “Cured” Adults with Congenital Heart Disease. Congenital Heart
Disease. In press.
40) Kuhl, E.A., Dixit, N.K., Walker, R.L., Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2006). Measurement of
patient fears about implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock: An initial evaluation of the
Florida Shock Anxiety Scale. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 6, 614-618.
41) Kuhl, E.A., Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2006). Internet based behavioral change and
psychosocial care for cardiac patients: A review of cardiac disease-specific applications.
Heart & Lung, 35, 374-382.
42) Kovacs, A.H., Silversides, C., Saidi, A., & Sears, S.F. (2006). The role of the psychologist in
adult congenital heart disease. Cardiology Clinics,24, 607-618.
43) Urizar, G., & Sears, S.F. (2006). Psychosocial and cultural influences on cardiovascular
health and quality of life among Hispanic cardiac patients in south Florida. Journal of
Behavioral Medicine, In press.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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44) Giacobbi, P.R., Jr., Hardin, B., Frye, N., Hausenblas, H. A., Sears, S.F., & Stegelin, A.
(2006). A multi-level examination of personality, exercise, and daily life events for
individuals with physical disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 23, 129-147.
45) Sears, S.F., Shea, J.B., & Conti, J.B. (2005). The cardiology patient page: How to respond
to an ICD shock. Circulation, e380-e383.
46) Sears, S.F., Serber, E.R., Alvarez, L.G., Schwartzman, D.S., Hoyt, R.H., Ujhelyi, M.R.
(2005). Understanding atrial symptom reports: Objective vs. subjective predictors. PACE,
28, 801-807.
47) Sears, S.F., Lewis, T.S., Kuhl, E.A., & Conti, J.B. (2005). Predictors of quality of life in
implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Psychosomatics, 46, 451-457.
48) Burns, J.L., Serber, E.R., Keim, S., & Sears, S.F. (2005). Measuring patient acceptance of
implantable cardiac device therapy: Initial psychometric investigation of the Florida patient
acceptance survey (F-PAS). Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 16, 1-7.
49) Whang, W., Albert, C.M., Sears, S.F., Lampert, R., Conti, J.B., Wang, P.J., Singh, J.P.,
Ruskin, J.M., Muller, J.E., Mittleman, M.A. for the TOVA investigators. (2005). Depression
as a predictor for appropriate shocks among patients with implantable cardioverterdefibrillators: Results from the Triggers of Ventricular Arrhythmias (TOVA) Study. Journal of
the American College of Cardiology, 45, 1090-1095.
50) Kovacs, A.H., Sears, S.F., & Saidi, A. (2005). Biopsychosocial experiences of adults with
congenital heart disease: Review of the literature. American Heart Journal, 150, 193-201.
51) Aranda, J., Woo, G.W., Schofield, R., Handberg, E., Hill, J., Curtis, A.B., Sears, S.F., Goff,
S.J., Pauly, D., & Conti, J.B. (2005). Management of heart failure after cardiac
resynchronization therapy: Integrating advanced heart failure treatment with optimal device
function. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 46, 2193-2198.
52) Sears, S.F., Kovacs, A.H., Azzarello, L., Larsen, K., & Conti, J.B. (2004). Innovations in
health psychology: the psychosocial care of adults with implantable cardioverter
defibrillators. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35, 520-526.
53) Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2004). ICDs for children and young adolescents: Mortality benefit
confirmed: What’s next? Heart, 90, 241-242.
54) Shedd, O., Sears, S.F., Harvill, J.L., Arsahd, A., Steinberg, J., Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B.
(2004). Arrhythmic events before and after the World Trade Center attacks in implantable
cardioverter defibrillator patients: A Florida sample. Journal of the American College of
Cardiology, 44, 1265-1267.
55) Burns, J.L., Sears, S.F., Sotile, R., Schwartzman, D.S., Hoyt, R.H., Alvarez, L.G., & Ujhelyi,
M.R. (2004). Do patients accept implantable atrial defibrillation therapy? Results from the
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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Patient Atrial Shock Survey Of Acceptance And Tolerance Study (Passat Study). Journal of
Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 15, 286-291.
56) Walker, R.L., Campbell, K.A., Sears, S.F., Glenn, B.A., Sotile, R., Curtis, A.B., Conti, J.B.
(2004). Women and the implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A lifespan perspective on key
psychosocial issues. Clinical Cardiology, 27, 543-546.
57) Urizar, G., Sears, S.F., Handberg, E., Curtis, A., & Conti, J.B. (2004). Psychosocial
adjustment of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients: A case intervention for
fear reduction related to ICD shocks. Psychosomatics, 45, 1-4.
58) Sirois, B., Sears, S.F., & Marhefka, S. (2005). Do new drivers equal new donors? An
examination of factors influencing organ donation attitudes and behaviors in adolescents.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine, In press.
59) Todaro, J.F., Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R. & Musto, K. (2005). Organ scarcity and the
psychological pre-heart transplant evaluation: A simulation study using community
residents. Progress in Transplantation. 15, 78-85.
60) Sears, S.F., Serber, E.S., Lewis, T.S., Walker, R.L., Conners, N., Lee, J.T., Curtis, A.B., &
Conti, J.B. (2004). Do positive health expectations and optimism relate to quality of life
outcomes in ICD patients? Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 24, 324-331.
61) Sears, S.F., Kovacs, A.H., Conti, J.B., & Handberg, E. (2004). Expanding the scope of
practice for cardiac rehabilitation: Managing patients with implantable cardioverter
defibrillators. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 24, 209-215.
62) Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2003). Understanding ICD shocks and storms: Medical and
psychosocial considerations for research and clinical care. Clinical Cardiology, 26, 107-111.
63) Serber, E.R., Sears, S.F., Sotile, R., Burns, J.L., Schwartzman, D.S., Hoyt, R.H., Alvarez,
L., & Ujhelyi, M.R. (2003). Sleep quality among patients treated with implantable atrial
defibrillation therapy: Effect of nocturnal shock delivery and psychological distress. Journal
of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 14, 1-5.
64) Sirois, B., Sears, S.F., & Bertolet, B. (2003). Biomedical and psychosocial predictors of
anginal frequency in patients following angioplasty with and without coronary stenting.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 26, 535-551.
65) Deaton, C., Dunbar, S.B., Moloney, M., Sears, S.F., & Ujhelyi, M. (2003). Patient
experiences with atrial fibrillation and treatment with the atrial device therapy. Heart and
Lung, 32(5), 291-299.
66) Sears, S.F., & Conti, J.B. (2002). Current views on the quality of life and psychological
functioning of implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Heart, 87, 488-493.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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67) Wallace, R.L., Sears, S.F., Lewis, T.S., Griffis, J.T., Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2002).
Predictors of quality of life in long-term recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillators,
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, , 22, 278-281.
68) Sears, S.F., Rausch, S., Handberg, E., & Conti, J.B. (2001). Fear of exertion following ICD
storm: Considering ICD shock and learning history. Journal of Cardiopulmonary
Rehabilitation, 21, 47-49.
69) Sears, S.F., Burns, J., Handberg, E., Sotile, W.M., & Conti, J.B. (2001). Young at heart:
Understanding the unique psychosocial adjustment of young ICD patients. PACE- Pacing
and Clinical Electrophysiology, 24, 1113-1117.
70) Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2001). Understanding and managing the psychological impact of
the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Cardiac Electrophyisology Review Journal, 5, 129133.
71) Eads, A., Sears, S.F., Marhefka, S.L., Aranda, J., Schofield, R., & Conti, J.B. (2001).
Psychological distress across the course of care: A case study from ICD to cardiac
transplantation. Clinical Cardiology, 24, 627-629.
72) Sears, S.F.,Todaro, J.F., Urizar, G., Saia, T.L., Sirois, B., Wallace, R., Sotile, W., & Curtis,
A.B., Conti, J.B. (2000). Assessing the psychosocial impact of the ICD: A national survey of
implantable cardioverter defibrillator health care providers. PACE- Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology, 23, 939-945.
73) Sears, S.F., Urizar, G.G., & Evans, G.D. (2000). A stress-coping-outcome model of
burnout and depression in extension agents. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5,
1-7.
74) Sears, S.F., Marhefka, S.L., Rodrigue, J.R., & Campbell, C. (2000). The role of patients’
ability to pay, gender, and smoking history on public attitudes toward cardiac transplant
allocation: A experimental investigation. Health Psychology, 19, 192-196.
75) Todaro, J.F., Fennel, E.B., Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., & Roche, A. (2000). Cognitive and
psychological functioning in pediatric heart transplant recipients: A literature review. Journal
of Pediatric Psychology, 25, 567-576.
76) Eads, A., Sears, S.F., Sotile, W.M., & Conti, J.B. (2000). Supportive communication with
implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: Seven principles to facilitate patient
adjustment. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 20, 109-144.
77) Sears, S.F., Todaro, J.F., Saia, T.L., Sotile, W., & Conti, J.B. (1999). Examining the
psychosocial impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: A literature review. Clinical
Cardiology, 22, 481-489.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
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78) Sears, S.F., Conti, J., Curtis, A., Saia, T.L., Foote, R., & Wen, F. (1999). Affective distress
and implantable cardioverter defibrillators: Cases for psychological and behavioral
interventions. PACE- Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 22, 1831-1834.
79) Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., & Perri, M.G. (1999). Extending
psychometric norms for pre-cardiac transplantation evaluations: The Florida cohort 19901996. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 6, 303-316.
80) Sears, S.F.,Danda, C.E., & Evans, G.D. (1999). PRIME-MD and rural primary care:
Detecting depression in a low-income rural population. Professional Psychology: Research
and Practice, 30, 357-360.
81) Conti, J.B., Sears, S.F., & Mirabal, G. (1999). Psychological complications of implantable
cardioverter defibrillator therapy. Cardiac Electrophyisology Review Journal, 2(3), 342-344.
82) Streisand, R., Rodrigue, J.R., Sears, S.F., Perri, M.G., Davis, G, & Banko, C. (1999). A
psychometric normative database for pre-liver transplantation evaluations: The Florida
cohort 1990-1996. Psychosomatics, 40, 479-485.
83) Kolchakian, M.R., & Sears, S.F. (1999). Religious coping profiles in college students: A
replication in a non-clinical sample. Journal of Religion and Health, 38,115-125.
84) Mittal, D., Sears, S.F., & Godding, P. (1999). Competency and religious conversion: A
case of dialysis refusal. The Annals of Long-Term Care, 7, 320-321.
85) Colllins, M., Grindell, S., Lovell, M.R., Dede, D.E., Moser, D, J., Phalin, B.R., Nogle, S.,
Wasik, M., Cordry, D., Klotz-Daugherty, Sears, S.F., Nicolette, G., Indelicato, P., &
McKeag, D.B. (1999). Relationship between concussion and neuropsychological
performance in college football players. JAMA, 282, 964-970.
86) Campbell, C., & Sears, S.F. (1998). Book Review: Treating depression in primary care: A
manual for primary care and mental health providers. Journal of Family Practice, 47, 153.
87) Sears, S.F., Evans, G.D., & Perry, N.W. (1998). Innovations in training: The UF rural
psychology program. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 504-507.
88) Rodrigue, J.R., Hoffmann, S., Park, T., & Sears, S.F. (1998). Alcohol use history and
perceptions of liver transplantation candidates: A pilot study. Journal of Clinical Psychology
in Medical Settings, 5(2), 199-211.
89) Sears, S.F., Durning, P., & Lawhead, C. (1997). Medical and psychological implications of
suspected health fraud: A case presentation. Florida Journal of Public Health, 9, 4-6.
90) Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., Greene, A.F., Fauerbach, P., & Mills, R.M. (1997). Religious
coping and heart transplantation: From pre-transplantation threat to post-transplantation
health. Journal of Religion and Health, 36(4), 345-351.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 13)
91) Perri, M.G., Martin, D.E., Leermakers, E., Sears, S.F., & Notelovitz, M. (1997). Effects of
supervised versus at-home exercise in the treatment of obesity. Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, 65(2), 278-285.
92) Rodrigue, J.R., Banko, C.G., Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1996). Old territory
revisited...Behavioral therapists in rural America and innovative models of service delivery.
the Behavior Therapist, 19, 97-100.
93) Dubbert, P.M., & Sears, S.F. (1996). The effects of alcohol use reduction upon coronary
heart disease and blood pressure. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the
Community, 13, 1-18.
94) Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., Greene, A.F., & Mills, R.M. (1995). Predicting quality of life
with a pre-transplantation assessment battery: A prospective study of cardiac
transplantation recipients. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 2, 335-355.
95) Greene, A.F., & Sears, S.F. (1994). Psychometric assessment of cardiac transplantation
candidates. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 1(2), 135-147.
96) Sears, S.F., & Greene, A.F. (1994). Religious coping and the threat of heart
transplantation. Journal of Religion and Health, 33, 221-229.
97) Greene, A.F., Sears, S.F., & Clark, J.E. (1993). Anger and sports participation.
Psychological Reports, 72, 523-529.
98) Perri, M.G., Sears, S.F., & Clark, J.E. (1993). Strategies for improving the maintenance of
weight loss: Toward a continuous care model of obesity management. Diabetes Care,
16(1), 1-10.
BOOKS
Sotile, W.M., & Sears, S.F. (1999). You can make a difference: Brief psychosocial interventions
for ICD patients and their families. Medtronic, Inc: Minneapolis, MN.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 14)
INVITED BOOK CHAPTERS
Sears, S.F., Kirian, K., Matchett, M., Benton, C., Nekkanti, R. (in press). Family matters: Research
and clinical management of psychosocial issues for ICD patients and ICD partners.
In A. Tsiperfal (Ed.), Practical Cardiac Arrhythmia Management for Nurses and
Associated Professionals.
Sears, S.F., Matchett, M., Vazquez, L.D., & Conti, J.B. (in press). Innovations in psychosocial care
for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. In R. Allen (Ed.), Heart and Mind:
Cardiac Psychology (2nd Edition).
Matchett, M., Kirian, K., Hazelton, G., Brumfield, J., & Sears, S.F. (in press). Common presenting
psychosocial problems for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: A primer for
consulting professionals. In L. Sher (Ed.), Psychological Factors and Cardiovascular
Disorders.
Sears, S.F., Sowell, L.V., Cross, N.J., & Conti, J.B. (2007). Clinical management of key concerns
for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. In Lu, F. & Benditt, D.G. (eds.)
Cardiac pacing and defibrillation - Principle and practice. Beijing, China: People's
Medical Publishing House, In press.
Rozensky, R.H., Vazquez-Sowell, L., & Sears, S.F. (2007). Clinical health psychology: From
hospital practice into the community. In Rockefeller, K. (Ed). Psychology, Spirituality and
Healthcare Vol II.
McDaniel, S., Johnson, S.B. & Sears, S.F. (2004). Psychologists promote biopsychosocial health
for families. In Rozensky, R. (Ed). Psychology Builds a Healthy World. Washington: APA.
Sears, S.F., Evans, G.D., & Kuper, B.D. (2001). Rural social service systems as behavioral health
delivery systems. In Stamm, B.H. (Ed). Behavioral Healthcare in Rural and Frontier Areas:
An Interdisciplinary Handbook. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Sears, S.F., & Wallace, R. (2001). Coping, spirituality, and survival. In Rodrigue, J.R. (Ed).
Handbook on Organ Transplantation. New York: Plenum.
NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Mulder, P., Kenkel, M.B., Shellenberger, S., Constantine, M.G., Streiegel, R., Sears, S.F., JumperThurman, P., Kalodner, M., Danda, C.E., & Hager, A. (2000). Behavioral health care needs
of rural women. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC.
Kuper, B., Sears, S.F., Evans, G.D. (1999). Achieving integrative psychological expertise within
primary care in rural North Central Florida. Florida Psychologist, 50, 1-4.
Moore, C.B., Godding, P., & Sears, S.F. (1999). Coping with cancer among rural health care
patients. Mississippi Psychologist, 23, 13,22-23.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 15)
Sears, S.F. (1998). Legislation and accountability in health care decisions. Florida Psychologist,
49, 14.
Sears, S.F. (1998). Tracking psychology’s progress: Federal advocacy report-Winter 1997.
Florida Psychologist, 49, 7, 25.
Sears, S.F. (1997). The secret of our success. Florida Psychologist, 48 (3), 9-10, 32.
Sears, S.F. (1997). Federal advocacy update 1997: Important issues remain. Florida
Psychologist, 48 (2), 14.
Sears, S.F. (1997). Strategic planning for federal advocacy. Florida Psychologist, 48 (1), 14.
Sears, S.F. (1996). The role of psychologists in the care of cardiac transplantation patients.
Mississippi Psychologist, 20, 11-23.
Sears, S.F. (1996). Federal advocacy report. Florida Psychologist, 47, 16, 18.
SELECTED PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
Kovacs AH, Silversides C, Harrison JL, Ong L, Oechslin E, Colman J, Saidi AS, Kuhl E, Sears SF,
Nolan RP. Adults with congenital heart disease: prevalence and predictors of depression
and anxiety. Can J Cardiol 2007;23(Suppl C):123C.
Sears, S.F, Vazquez Sowell, L., Kuhl, E.A., Kovacs, A.H., Serber, E., Kneipp, S.M., Handberg,
E.M., Zineh, I., & Conti, J.B. (2007). Psychosocial treatment to optimize quality of life in
shocked implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: A randomized controlled trial. Pacing
and Clinical Electrophysiology, Abstract, In press.
Dixit, N.K., Vazquez Sowell, L., Cross, N., Kuhl, E.A., Serber, E., Kovacs, A.H., Dede, D.E.,
Aranda, J.M., Burkhart, T.A., Conti, J.B. & Sears, S.F. (2007). Cardiac resynchronization
therapy: Improving cognition in heart failure patients. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology,
Abstract, In press.
Vazquez Sowell, L., Shea, J.B.,Kirkness, A., Lemon, J., Conti, J.B., & Sears, S.F. (2007). Effects
of living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: The female perspective. Pacing and
Clinical Electrophysiology, Abstract, In press.
Sears, S.F., Burns, J.L., Schwartzman, D., Hoyt, R., & Ujhelyi, M. (2002). Do patients accept atrial
device therapy? Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Abstract, 24, 596.
Sears, S.F., Burns, J.L., Schwartzman, D., Hoyt, R., & Ujhelyi, M. (2002). Predictors of patient
reported atrial symptom frequency: Objective vs. psychological variables in patients with
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 16)
implantable atrial device therapy. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 24, 542.
Ujhelyi, M., Sears, S.F., Burns, J.L., Schwartzman, D., & Hoyt, R. (2002). Characterization of atrial
shcok pain from implantable atrial defibrillator: Patient activated vs. automatic nighttime
atrial shocks. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Abstract, In press.
Saia Lewis, T., Sears, S.F., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., Wallace, R., Conners, N., Lee, J.T., King, L.A.,
Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2002). Psychological predictors of quality of life in implantable
cardioverter defibrillator patients. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Abstract, 24, 550.
Saia Lewis, T., Sears, S.F., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., Wallace, R., Conners, N., Lee, J.T., King, L.A.,
Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2002). Dispositional optimism and health expectations predict
experience of firings in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 24, S076.
Saia Lewis, T., Sears, S.F., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., Wallace, R., Conners, N., Lee, J.T., King, L.A.,
Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2002). Pre-implant psychological predictors of quality of life in
implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, S145.
Wallace, R.L., Campbell, K., & Sears, S.F. Psychosocial distress in recipients of ICDs. Annals of
Behavioral Medicine, 24, S072.
Sirois, B., & Sears, S.F. (2002). Do new drivers equal new donors: Organ donation attitudes and
behaviors in adolescents. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, S139.
Sears, S.F., Wallace, R., Burns, J., Saia-Lewis, T., Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B. (2000). Investigating
the impact of the ICD storm on quality of life. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 20,
291.
Eads, A., Sears, S.F., Sotile, W.M., & Conti, J.B. (2000). Patient preparedness predicts
psychosocial adjustment to implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 22, S211.
Sirois, B., Sears, S.F., McGorray, S., Hill, J., Kerensky, R., & Bertolet, B. (1999). Biomedical and
psychosocial predictors of anginal frequency in patients post-angioplasty. (Abstract)
Circulation, 100, 1-737.
Sears, S.F., Eads, A., Marhefka, S., Sirois, B., Urizar, G., Todaro, J.F., Sotile, W., Curtis, A.B., &
Conti, J.B. (1999). The U.S. national survey of ICD Recipients: Examining the global and
specific aspects of quality of life. European Heart Journal, 20, 232.
Sears, S.F., Todaro, J.F., Eads, A., Urizar, G., Sirois, B., Sotile, W., Curtis, A.B., & Conti, J.B.
(1999). The national survey of ICD health care providers: Differences in perception of
patient psychosocial issues between physicians and nurses. PACE-Pacing and Clinical
Electrophysiology, 22(4), 895.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 17)
Berlant, N., Newton, R., Durning, P., Campbell, C., Urizar, G., Anton, S., Locke, B., Sears, S.F., &
Perri, M.G. (1999). Exercise promotion in rural public health clinics. Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 21S, 30.
Danda, C.E., Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1998). PRIME-MD and primary care: Focus on
depression. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 20S, 77.
Sirois, B.C., Sears, S.F., & Bertolet, B. (1998). Interventional cardiology (PTCA and Coronary
Stenting) and the role of psychological factors in recovery. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,
20S, 100.
Urizar, G.G., Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1998). A stress-coping-outcome model of burnout and
depression in extension agents. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 20S, 104.
Dubbert, P.M., Carmack, C.L., Sears, S.F., Horne, R.A., & Neal, E. (1995). Stages of change for
lifestyle interventions in behavioral treatment of hypertension. Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 17, S125.
Perri, M.G., Martin, D.E., Sears, S.F., & Leermakers, E. (1993). Effects of supervised versus athome exercise in the treatment of obesity. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 15S, 56.
Sears, S.F., Greene, A.F., & Mills, R.M. (1993). Personality and cognitive adaptation in the first
year of cardiac transplantation: A typical case. Florida Psychologist, 43, 24.
Sears, S.F., & Greene, A.F. (1992). Religious coping and troubled hearts. Florida Psychologist,
42, 15.
Sears, S.F., & Greene, A.F. (1991). Let not your hearts be troubled: Religious coping in end-stage
heart disease patients. Proceedings of the Third National Conference on the Psychology of
Health, Immunity, and Disease, National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral
Medicine, 1, 155-164.
Sears, S.F., & McKillop, K.J. (1991). Hopelessness and hardiness: A strained relationship. ERIC
Information Systems.
VIDEOTAPE SERIES
Evans, G.D., & Sears, S.F. (1999). A community response to post-disaster stress. Disaster
Handbook Video Series. University of Florida IFAS: Gainesville, FL. ACE Video Award
Winner (2000) Agricultural Communication in Education Committee (3rd place).
Lehtola, C., Evans, G.D., & Sears, S.F. (1998). Are you ready? Awarness to preparedness for
disasters. University of Florida IFAS: Gainesville, FL.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 18)
AUDIOTAPE SERIES
Sotile, W.M., & Sears, S.F. (1999). You can make a difference: Audiotape series. Medtronic, Inc:
Minneapolis, MN.
FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS
Ongoing
1 R21HL087831-01
National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Sleep in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)
Role: Principal Investigator
Co-Investigators: Samuel Sears, Ph.D.; Richard B. Berry, M.D.; Jamie Conti, M.D., Wei Hu,
Ph.D.
(09/08-08/10)
1 R21HL087831-01 Supplement
National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Sleep in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)
Role: Principal Investigator
Co-Investigators: Samuel Sears, Ph.D.; Richard B. Berry, M.D.; Jamie Conti, M.D., Wei Hu,
Ph.D., Joseph Dzierzewski, M.S.
(07/09-06/11)
Project # Sears (PI)
01/01/10-12/31/10
Medtronic, Inc.
“Examination of the Pros and Cons of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators”
To test a new measurement tool for patients considering implantation of an ICD
Role: Principal Investigator
Co-Investigators: Garrett Hazelton, MA
Project # Sears (PI)
05/01/08-05/01/10
Medtronic, Inc.
“Pre-Implant Psychoeducational Intervention in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Patients”
To investigate a psychoeducational intervention on the psychological adjustment and patient
acceptance of ICDs
Role: Principal Investigator
Project # Sears (PI)
03/01/08-03/01/10
Medtronic, Inc.
“Predictors of Quality of Life in Pediatric Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Patients”
To investigate a psychosocial adjustment in children and young adults with ICDs
Role: Principal Investigator
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 19)
Completed
Project # Vazquez-Sowell (PI)
02/01/06-06/01/07
Sears (Faculty Mentor)
National Institute of Health-NHLBI
“Psychosocial Care of Women with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators”
To investigate sex differences in patient acceptance of ICD therapy
Role: Faculty Sponsor/Co-Principal Investigator
Project # Sears (PI)
07/01/03-06/30/06
American Heart Association
“Psychosocial Treatment to Optimize QOL in ICD Patients”
To examine a psychosocial intervention in ICD patients who have received ICD shocks.
Role: Principal Investigator
Investigator/Consultant: (2004-05). IM CALM: Integrated Medicine Approach to Medical Care of
ICD Patients. Medtronic, Inc., $15, 000.
Principal Investigator: (2003-05). Psychosocial treatment to optimize Quality of Life in ICD
patients. American Heart Association, $120, 000.
Principal Investigator: (2003-05). Cognitive functioning in Bi-Ventricular ICD patients. Medtronic,
Inc., $85, 000 Award.
Principal Investigator: (2001). Comparing patient acceptance and quality of life in implantable
cardioverter defibrillator and implantable atrioverter defibrillator recipients. Perry E. Foote
Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes Research Grant, $9, 405 Award.
Principal Investigator: (2001). Multi-site investigation of the psychosocial impact of the atrial
defibrillator. Medtronic, Inc., $40, 000 Award; Funded .20 FTE.
Co-Investigator: (2001). Exercise Training for Class IV CHF Patients. Submitted to the Department
of Health Tobacco Fund, $ 200,000 annually for two years. Principal Investigator: Dr.
Eileen Handberg; Funded .15 FTE.
Principal Investigator: (2000). Developing web-based patient education for ICD patients.
Medtronic, Inc., $43, 900 Award.
Principal Investigator: (2000). Quality of Life Dossier on ICD therapy to the National Institute of
Clinical Excellence-United Kingdom. Medtronic, Inc., $4, 000 Award.
Principal Investigator: (1999). Treating Depression in Primary Care via Telehealth. North Florida
Area Health Education Center, $15, 000 Award.
Principal Investigator: (1998).Health Care Provider Manuals Addressing Psychosocial Issues
Related to the ICD. Medtronic, Inc., $10, 000 Award.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 20)
Principal Investigator: (1998). Training Issues in the Treatment of Psychological Issues Related to
the ICD. Medtronic, Inc., $38, 000 Award.
Co-Investigator: (1998). Factors Influencing Organ Donation Decisions by Next of Kin. University
of Florida Opportunity Fund, $48, 000 Award. (Principal Investigators: Dr. James Rodrigue
& Mr. Charles McCluskey, P.A.)
Co-Principal Investigator: (1997). PTCA vs. Coronary Stent: Examining Medical Cost and Quality
of Life Outcomes. Shands Hospital Clinical Resources Mgmt, $13, 850 Award.
Co-Principal Investigator: (1997). Examining Occupational Stress and Burnout in Extension
Agents. Funded by Florida Cooperative Extension Service, $ 600 Award (Co-Principal
Investigators: Garret D. Evans, Psy.D., Mr. Guido Urizar, Graduate Student).
Co-Principal Investigator: (1997). Rural Primary Care Psychology. Funded by Suwannee River
AHEC Inc. $ 600 Award (Co-Principal Investigators: Garret D. Evans, Psy.D., Ms. Caroline
Elder, Graduate Student).
Principal Investigator: (1996). Evaluating the Integration of Behavioral Health Psychology into
Rural Primary Care. DSR-D Faculty Award Program, $10, 000 Award.
FUNDED GRANTS FOR CLINICAL SERVICE
Co-Principal Investigator: (2000-2001). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $62, 000 Award.
Co-Principal Investigator: (1999-2000). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $62, 000 Award.
Co-Principal Investigator: (1998-1999). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $62, 000 Award.
Co-Principal Investigator: (1997-1998). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $52, 000 Award.
Co-Principal Investigator: (1996-1997). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $52, 000 Award.
Co-Principal Grantee: (1997). Disaster relief for the residents of North Dakota Red River Valley.
CSREES funding, $50, 000 Award (Co-Principal Grantees: Dr. Garret Evans & Dr. Nathan
W. Perry).
Co-Principal Investigator: (1995-1996). The University of Florida Rural Psychology Program.
North Florida Area Health Education Center, $35, 000 Award.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 21)
Co-Principal Grantee: (1996). Behavioral Health Services for Hamilton County. HRS Hamilton
County Public Health Unit, $4, 000 Award (Co-Principal Grantee: Dr. Garret Evans).
Co-Principal Provider: (1996). Behavioral Health Services for Levy County. HRS Levy County
Public Health Unit, $12, 600 Award (Principal Grantee: Dr. Nathan W. Perry).
CONSULTATIONS ON FUNDED GRANT SUBMISSIONS
Consultant: (1998). Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hamilton County. Department of Health-State of
Florida, $178, 000 Award-1 year renewable (Principal Investigator: Catherine Campbell,
MS, Verna Horne, RN.)
Consultant: (1997). The Rural Chronic Disease Prevention Project: Hamilton and Levy County
Health Departments. Department of Health-State of Florida, $119, 000 Award-5 year
renewable (Principal Investigator: Julius Gylys, MS, Verna Horne, RN., Barbara Locke, RN,
BSN.)
SELECTED RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Serber, E. R., Sears, S. F., Thomas, G. M., Slifka, C. N., Nielsen, C. D., Spencer, III, W. H., &
Smith, K. M. (March, 2006). Improvement in depression and quality of life after alcohol
septal ablation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients Poster presented at the
27th Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.
Johnson, S., Ong, L., Stanley, J., Ritvo, P., Dorian, P., Newman, D., Harris, L., Sears, S., Cribbie,
R., Irvine, J. (2006). Demographic and psychosocial factors affect treatment expectations in
a cardiac population. Presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Psychosomatic
Society, Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Evans, G. D., Wiens, B. A., & Sears, S. (August, 2003). Triumph Over Tragedy: A model for
comprehensive community mental health responses to disaster, trauma, and terrorism.
Poster presented at the American Psychological Association conference, Toronto, ON.
Wiens, B. A., Evans, G. D., Sears, S., Tsao, J. C. I., & Stamm, B. H. (July 2003). Making sense of
chaos: Rural community mental health responses to disaster, trauma, and terrorism.
Workshop conducted at the National Association for Rural Mental Health conference,
Orlando, FL.
Sears, S.F. (2000). Kids and ICDs: Understanding the unique adjustment challenges. Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the North American Society of Pacing and
Electrophysiology, Washington, DC.
Sears, S.F. (1999). Patient acceptance and quality of life issues in implantable cardioverter
defibrillator patients. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of
America, San Francisco, CA.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 22)
Sears, S.F. (1999). Psychological aspects of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and
Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Phoenix, AZ.
Sears, S.F. (1999). Mental health in primary care: Research from Florida public health
departments. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Florida Public Health
Association, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1999). Trends and challenges in rural mental health. Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the Florida Rural Health Association, Ocala, FL.
Todaro, J.F., Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., & Litcher, C. Social desirability bias and the
psychological pre-heart transplant evaluation: A simulation study using community
residents. Poster to be presented at the 58th annual meeting of the American
Psychosomatic Society, Savannah, GA.
Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1998). Integrating mental health programming into the Florida
Cooperative Extension Service: Lessons learned from the University of Florida Rural
Psychology Program. Invited address to the National Institute of Mental Health Work
Group, Ames. IA.
Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1998). Helping farm families manage stress: The University of Florida
Rural Psychology Program. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Rural
Health Association, Orlando, FL.
Morava, E, Bobroff, L.B., Turner, R.E. & Sears, S.F. (1998). Cholesterol Control: A worksite
coronary heart disease risk reduction program. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of
the Society for Nutrition Education, Albequerque, NM.
Sears, S.F. (1997, August). Ethical issues in the assessment of cardiac transplant candidates.
Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association,
Chicago, IL.
Sears, S.F. (1997). Mental and behavioral health issues in rural primary care: The practitioner
perspective. Invited address to the National Institute of Mental Health Rural Mental Health
Research Conference, Oxford, MS.
Sears, S.F., & Evans, G.D. (1996). Reaching rural families: A partnership between clinical and
health psychology and the cooperative extension service in Florida. Paper presented at the
Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, CAN.
Sears, S.F., Evans, G.D., Craven, S., Kortenkamp, S., & Campbell, E. (1996). A behavioral health
needs survey: Ratings from cooperative extension agents in rural north Florida. Poster
presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Rural Health Association, Minneapolis,
MN.
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
(page 23)
Sears, S.F., Rodrigue, J.R., Greene, A.F., & Mills, R.M. (1995). Predicting quality of life with a
pre-transplantation assessment battery: A prospective study of cardiac transplantation
recipients. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological
Association, New York, NY.
WORKSHOPS AND INVITED ADDRESSES
Available upon request
Samuel Frazer Sears Jr.
REFERENCES
Dr. Kathleen Row
Chair, Department of Psychology
East Carolina University
110 Rawl Hall
Greenville, NC 27858
Duane Dede, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
Box 100165 UF Health Science Center
Gainesville, FL 32610
Jamie B. Conti, MD
Associate Professor
University of Florida College of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Box 100277 UFHSC
Gainesville, FL 32610
Wayne Cascio, MD
Director of Research
East Carolina Heart Institute
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
100 Heart Drive
Greenville, NC 27858
(page 24)