Lucinda J. Graven, PhD, APRN, FAHA, FAAN is a family nurse practitioner and nurse scientist whose research focuses on improving heart failure disease and symptom management through the development and testing of tailored cognitive-behavioral interventions at both the individual, dyad, and family levels. Dr. Graven’s research has been consistently funded for over 10 years from internal and external sources. Her current study CARE-HF, an 18-month study investigating the effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention for rural Veterans with HF, is funded by the Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health. Dr. Graven’s research also extends into the fields of symptom science, coping with chronic disease, caregiving science, and palliative care. Dr. Graven also has expertise in rural and diverse population-based research. Dr. Graven has published over 50 peer reviewed articles and presented her research nationally and internationally at renowned interdisciplinary conferences. Dr. Graven received the 2025 Heart Failure Society of America Nursing Research Leadership Award and has served on the writing groups for three American Heart Association Scientific Statements, including lead author on the statement on palliative care in advanced cardiovascular disease. Dr. Graven is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Nursing.
EDUCATION
PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
MSN, Florida State University
BSN, Florida State University
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, State of Florida
HONORS AND AWARDS
Outstanding Graduate Faculty - Nominated, Florida State University (2026)
Nursing Research Leadership Award, Heart Failure Society of America (2025)
Daisy Award for Nursing Ethics, Florida State University College of Nursing (2025)
Outstanding Poster Award for Clinical Practice Research, International Rural Nursing Organization (2025)
Clinical Article of the Year Award, AHA Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Council (2024)
Fellow of American Academy of Nursing (2022)
Fellow of the American Heart Association (2019)
Southern Nursing Research Society Early Science Investigator Award (2017)
Provost's Faculty Travel Grant, Florida State University (2016)
Travel Stipend, American Heart Association (2015)
Travel Grant, Heart Failure Society of America (2014)
Nursing Research Award - Finalist, Heart Failure Society of America (2014)
Outstanding PhD Student - Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2014)
Nurse of Excellence - Florida State University, Capital Regional Medical Center (2014)
Golden Key Honor Society, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2011)
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, FSU College of Nursing (2002)
Cathedral Award, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (1997)
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
Graven, L. J., Ledermann, T., Sterns, E., Grant, J. S., Butts, B., & Abbott, L. (2026). 'Teamwork Makes the Dream Work': Initial Evidence for Enhancing Problem-Solving in Rural Heart Failure Dyads. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Epub Ahead of Print. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000001290
Abbott, L., Killian, M., Butts, B., & Graven, L. J. (2025). Effects of a Group-based Online Lifestyle Medicine Intervention among Rural Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Epub Ahead of Print, 25. doi:10.1177/15598276251395532
Buck, H. G., Durante, A., Howard, C., Aldossary, H., Bidwell, J., Irani, E., Liebzeit, D., Massouh, A., Abshire-Saylor, M., Stawnychy, M., & Graven, L. J. (2025). Examining heart failure informal care partners using person and system levels and domains: A meta-synthesis. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 47(4), 261-281. doi:10.1177/01939459251314716
Abbott, L., De Leon, J., & Graven, L. J. (2025). Impact of a web-based lifestyle medicine intervention: A qualitative study among rural participants. Nursing Reports, 15(227), 1-17. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15070227
Butts, B., Herring, C., Madariaga, A., Graven, L. J., Higgins, M., & Dunbar, S. B. (2025). Inflammation Markers are Associated with Symptoms and Neighborhood Deprivation in Black Adults with Heart Failure. Heart & Lung, 74, 121-128. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2025.07.001
Graven, L. J., Kitko, L., Abshire Saylor, M., Allen, L., Durante, A., Evangelista, L., Fielder, A., Kirkpatrick, J., Mixon, L., & Wells, R. (2025). Palliative Care and Advanced Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: Not Just End of Life Care: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 151, Epub Ahead of Print. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/epdf/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001323 doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001323
Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., Hodgkins, J., Ledermann, T., & Howren, M. B. (2025). Supporting Physical and Mental Health in Rural Veterans Living with Heart Failure: Study Protocol for a Nurse-Led Telehealth Intervention. JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e63498. Retrieved from https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e63498 doi:10.2196/63498
Buck, H. G., Howland, C., Stawnychy, M. A., Aldossary, H., Cortes, Y., Deberg, J., Durante, A., Graven, L. J., Irani, E., Jaboob, S., Massouh, A., Oberfrank, N., Saylor, M. A., Wion, R., & Bidwell, J. (2024). Caregivers' Contributions to Heart Failure Self-care: An Updated Systematic Review. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 39(3), 266-278. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38306302/ doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000001060
Graven, L. J., Durante, A., Abbott, L., Bassi, E., Howren, M. B., & Grant, J. S. (2024). Self-Care Problems and Management Strategies Experienced by Rural Patient/Caregiver Dyads Living with Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 39(3), 207-218.
Madden, E. B., Therrien, M., Bislick, L., Wallace, S., Goff-Albritton, R., Vilfort-Garces, A., Costantino, C., & Graven, L. J. (2023). Caregiving and Friendship: Perspectives from Care Partners of People with Aphasia. Topics in Language Disorders, 43(1), 57-75. doi:10.1097/TLD.0000000000000301
Younas, A., Di Nitto, M., Cuoco, A., Brawner- Rice, B., Boyne, J., Juarez-Vela, R., Vellone, E., Graven, L. J., & Durante, A. (2023). Perceived Social Support and Associated Factors Among Caregivers of Individuals with Heart Failure: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2023(550987), 1-11. doi:10.1155/2023/5550987
Rossi, L. P., Granger, B. B., Bruckel, J. T., Crabbe, D. L., Graven, L. J., Newlin, K. S., Streur, M. M., Vadiveloo, M. K., Walton-Moss, B. J., Warden, B. A., Volgman, A. S., & Lydston, M. (2023). Person-centered models for cardiovascular care: A review of the evidence: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 147, e1-e31. doi:: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001141
Grant, J. S., Graven, L. J., Wang, D., Luttik, M. L., & Azuero, A. (2023). The Subjective Component of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory: A Psychometric Analysis. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 38(2), 192-197.
Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., Boel-Studt, S., Grant, J. S., & Buck, H. G. (2023). Classifying Heart Failure Caregivers as Adequately or Inadequately Resourced to Care: A Latent Class Analysis. Journal of Palliative Care, 38(1), 62-70. doi:10.1177/08258597221079244
Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., & Schluck, G. (2022). The Coping in Heart Failure (COPE-HF) Partnership Intervention for Heart Failure Symptoms: Implications for Palliative Care. Progress in Palliative Care, Epub Ahead of Print, 1-10.
Graven, L. J., Glueckauf, R. L., Regal, R. A., Merbitz, N. K., Lustria, M. L. A., & James, B. A. (2021). Telehealth Interventions for Family Caregivers of Persons with Chronic Health Conditions: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2021(3518050), 1-45. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/3518050
Grant, J. S., Graven, L. J. G., Schluck, G., & Abbott, L. (2021). Psychosocial Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Rural Heart Failure Caregivers. Rural and Remote Health, 21(3), 6497. doi:10.22605/RRH6497
Graven, L. J., Boel-Studt, S., Buck, H., Abbott, L., & Grant, J. (2021). Heart Failure Caregiver Self-Care: A Latent Class Analysis. Clinical Nursing Research, 30(5), 625-635. doi:https10.1177/1054773820973121
Rossi, L. P., Granger, B. B., Bruckel, J., Graven, L. J., Newlin, K. S., Streur, M. M., Vadiveloo, M. K., Walton-Moss, B. J., Warden, B. A., Volgman, A. S., & Lydston, M. (in press). Patient-Centered Models of Care for Cardiovascular Health: A Review of the Evidence. Circulation, 35 pages.
White-Williams, C., Rossi, L. P., Bittner, V. A., Driscoll, A., Durant, R., Granger, B., Graven, L. J., Kitko, L., Newlin, K., & Shirey, M. (2020). Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients with Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 141, e841-e863.. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000767
Graven, L. J., Azuero, A., Abbott, L., & Grant, J. S. (2020). Psychosocial Factors Related to Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure Caregivers: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 35(2), 137-148. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000634
Grant, J. S., Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., & Schluck, G. (2020). Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Heart Failure Caregivers. Home Healthcare Now, 38(1), 40-47. doi:10.1097/NHH.0000000000000838
Abbott, L., Slate, E., & Graven, L. J. (2020). Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Rural Residents Living with Diabetes and Pre-diabetes: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Public Health Nursing, 37(1), 16-24. doi:10.1111/phn.12659
Grant, J. S., & Graven, L. J. (2020). Heart Failure Caregivers' Support Services: Implications for Palliative Care. Progress in Palliative Care. doi:10.1080/09699260.2020.1716146
Grant, J. S., Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., & Schluck, G. (2020). Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Heart Failure Caregivers. Home Healthcare Now, 38(1), 40-47. doi:10.1097/NHH.0000000000000838
Graven, L. J., Higgins, M., Reilly, C., & Dunbar, S. (2020). Heart Failure Symptoms Profile Associated with Depressive Symptoms. Clinical Nursing Research, 29(2), 73-83. doi:10.1177/1054773818757312
Grant, J. S., & Graven, L. J. (2019). High Priority Problems Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Heart Failure. Home Healthcare Management & Practice, 31, 2.
Graven, L. J., Abbott, L., Dickey, S. L., & Schluck, G. (2019). The Influence of Gender and Race on Heart Failure Self-Care. Chronic Illness, Epub Ahead of Print, 25.
Grant, J. S., & Graven, L. J. (2018). Problems Experienced by Individuals with Heart Failure the Second and Third Month after Discharge from a Heart Failure Related Hospitalization. Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, 5(4), 311-316.
Grant, J. S., & Graven, L. J. (2018). Problems Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Heart Failure: An Integrative Review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 80(1), 41-66.
Grant, J. S., Graven, L. J., & Fuller, K. (2018). Problems Experienced in the First Month after Discharge from a Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization. Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, 5(2), 140-148.
Graven, L. J., Gordon, G., Grant Keltner, J. S., Abbott, L., & Bahorski, J. (2018). Efficacy of a Social Support and Problem-Solving Intervention on Heart Failure Self-Care: A Pilot Study. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(2), 266-275.
Martorella, G., Graven, L. J., Schluck, G., Berube, M., & Gelinas, C. (2018). Nurses' Perception of a Tailored Web-Based Intervention for the Self-Management of Pain After Cardiac Surgery. Sage Open Nursing, 4, 1-14.
Abbott, L., Gordon, G., Graven, L. J., & Martorella, G. (2017). Exploring the Intervention Effect Moderators of a Cardiovascular Health Promotion Study among Rural African Americans. Public Health Nursing, 1-9.
Graven, L. J., Martorella, G., Gordon, G., Grant, J., & Higgins, M. (2017). Increased Likelihood of Depression in Outpatients with Heart Failure: A Logistic Regression Analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 69, 57-65.
Graven, L. J., Grant, J. S., & Gordon, G. (2015). Symptomatology and Coping Resources Predict Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Heart Failure. Nursing Research and Practice, 2015, 8.
Graven, L. J., Grant, J. S., Vance, D. E., Pryor, E. R., Grubbs, L., & Karioth, S. (2015). Predicting Depressive Symptoms and Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Heart Failure. American Journal of Health Behavior, 39, 77-87.
Graven, L. J., & Grant, J. S. (2014). Social Support and Self-Care Behaviors in Individuals with Heart Failure: An Integrative Review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 51(2), 320-333.
Graven, L. J., Grant, J. S., Vance, D. E., Pryor, E. R., Grubbs, L., & Karioth, S. (2014). Coping Styles Associated with Heart Failure Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 4(2), 227-242.
Graven, L. J., Grant, J. S., Vance, D. E., Pryor, E. R., Grubbs, L., & Karioth, S. (2014). Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Heart Failure. Home Healthcare Nurse, 32, 550-555.
Graven, L. J., & Grant, J. S. (2013). Coping and Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Heart Failure: An Integrative Review. Heart and Lung, 42(3), 183-194.
Graven, L. J., & Grant, J. S. (2013). The Impact of Social Support on Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Heart Failure: Update and Review. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 28(5), 429-443.
Current Grant Funding
Graven, L. J., Howren, M. B., Abbott, L., Drwal, K., & Ledermann, T. (Oct 2022–Sep 2023). Supporting Physical & Mental Health in Rural Veterans with Heart Failure (CARE-HF). Funded by Veterans Administration Office of Rural Health - Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-GNV (VRHRC-GNV). Total award $191,591.
Abbott, L., Graven, L. J., Killian, M., DeLeon, J., Lustria, M., & LeMacks, J. (Sep 2022–Aug 2023). Reducing Chronic Disease Risk Among Rural Adults. Funded by Florida State University Translational Health Research Seed Grant. Total award $50,000.
Graven, L. J., Glueckauf, R. L., Abbott, L., & Ledermann, T. (July 2023–December 2023). Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills in Underserved Rural Heart Failure Dyads. Funded by Florida Blue Rural Research Development Award. Total award $20,000.