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Diane L. Spatz, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist
Dr. Spatz is an internationally recognized researcher, clinician, and educator in the field of human milk and breastfeeding, particularly in vulnerable populations. Her research directly changes clinical practice to improve human milk and breastfeeding outcomes in the United States and globally.
Bio
Dr. Spatz is an internationally recognized expert and nurse scientist focused on breastfeeding and human lactation. She joined CHOP 20 years ago and developed the hospital’s Breastfeeding Resource Nurse (BRN) Program. Dr. Spatz has educated over 1,500 nurses at CHOP through the BRN program.
Recently, Dr. Spatz was appointed to the World Health Organization and United States Agency for International Development’s task force on human milk and breastfeeding for small and sick babies.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing also awarded Dr. Spatz with the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship — an honor that means much to CHOP, where Dr. Spatz mentors many students in research, quality improvement, scholarship, and writing for publication.
Dr. Spatz can be reached at spatz@nursing.upenn.edu
Education and Training
BSN, University of Pennsylvania, 1986
MSN, University of Pennsylvania, 1989
PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 1995
Titles and Academic Titles
Professor of Perinatal Nursing and the Helen M. Shearer Professor of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Nurse Scientist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Professional Memberships
International Society of Research in Human Milk & Lactation Executive Committee (2020) and Board of Directors (2022)
Planning Committee for National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine workshop on Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Persons in Clinical Trials, 2022
International Society of Research in Human Milk & Lactation Executive Committee, 2020-
Editorial Board-American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 2015-
Baby Friendly USA-Neonatal BFHI Taskforce, 2014 to 2015
American Academy of Nursing
- Chair, 2009 to 2016
- Co-Chair, 2008-2009
- Expert Panel on Breastfeeding, 2007 to 2017
United States Breastfeeding Committee
- AAN appointed representative to USBC, 2009-
Professional Awards
Nurse of the Year - Philadelphia Inquirer, 2019
AWHONN Award of Excellence in Research, 2019
National Association of Neonatal Nurses, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
The American Academy of Nursing, Edge Runner, 2015
Norma M. Lang Award, Distinguished Award for Scholarly Practice & Policy, 2013
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Expert Alumni Award for Clinical Excellence, 2011
Family and Community Health Department School of Nursing, Academic Practice Award, 2011
National Student Nurses Association, Leader of Leaders Award, 2011
University of Pennsylvania, Dean’s Award for Exemplary Professional Practice, 2010
Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania, Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2008 and 2020
Publication Highlights
Juntereal NA, Spatz DL. Mothers' Experiences with Antenatal Milk Expression. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2021 Oct; 46(5):277-283. PMID: 34398829
Spatz DL. Improving Lactation Education and Support in Primary Care. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2021 Oct; 46(5):301. PMID: 34398832
Marhefka SL, Livingston TA, Lockhart E, Hernandez I, Spatz DL, Louis-Jacques AF. A Statewide Evaluation of the Breastfeeding Resource Nurse Model. Nurs Womens Health. 2021 Oct; 25(5):337-345. PMID: 34478735
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. The Use of Human Milk During Parent-Newborn Separation. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2021 Sep; 50(5):e9-e42. PMID: 34373149
Juntereal NA, Spatz DL. Integrative Review of Antenatal Milk Expression and Mother-Infant Outcomes During the First 2 Weeks After Birth. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2021 Aug; S0884-2175(21)00124-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34403651
Active Grants/Contracts
Effects of complimenting breast pumping with automated breast compression, on the quality and quantity of milk expression
- Funded: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, $8,250
- 2018 - present
- PI: Spatz DL and Froh EB
Adaptation of a Breastfeeding Support Model for Neonatal Units for an African Middle-Income Setting-Botswana
- Funded: CHOP Global Health Grant, $1,000
- 2018 - present
- PI: Arscott-Mills T, Mogotsi TV, Lowenthal E, and Spatz DL
An exploration of the use of technology (Angel Eyes camera system) as part of the NICU mother’s lactation journey
- Funded: Sigma Theta Ta-Xi Chapter; $1,000
- 2019- present
- PI: Spatz DL, Froh EB, and Candelaria L
Extending an eHealth enhanced care approach: Development of nurse-guided patient engagement content to support human milk feeding of infants with complex congenital heart disease
- Funded: University of Minnesota Office of Discovery and Translation, UL1TR002494- National Institutes of Health- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; $50,000
- 2019-present
- PI: McKechnie A and Elgersma K
Bereaved mothers’ experiences in donating milk to HMBANA Milk Banks
- Funded: Molloy College Faculty Research Grant; $2,025
- 2020-present
- PI: Paraszczuk A, Candelaria L, Hylton-McGuire K and Spatz DL
Effectiveness and determinants of a hospital-based neonatal feeding and early lactation support model on human milk intake and infant health outcomes among vulnerable, high-risk neonates
- Funded: National Institutes of Health- NICHD Division; $3,340,060
- Beginning in 2021
- PI: Israel-Ballard K, Murila F, Were F, Musoke R, Sherr K, Johnson T, Spatz DL, Waiyego M, Kimani W, Mansen K, Obong’o, C, and Engmann C.
Links of Interest
10 Steps to Promote & Protect Human Milk and Breastfeeding in Vulnerable Infants - American Academy of Nursing Main Site (aannet.org)