Jana Wardian
Dr. Jana Wardian is a dynamic leader in healthcare education and research, currently serving as an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Interprofessional Academy of Educators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She holds a PhD in Social Work from Arizona State University and brings a wealth of expertise in social determinants of health, research excellence, and patient-centered care. Dr. Wardian’s work focuses on reducing the burden on patients by supporting hospitalists in quality improvement and scholarly activities to enhance clinical outcomes. Before joining UNMC, she was the Research Director at the Air Force Diabetes Center of Excellence in San Antonio, where she led pioneering research in endocrine and hospital medicine and authored nearly 60 published manuscripts.
In addition to her academic and research roles, Dr. Wardian has been deeply involved in community advocacy and education through the American Diabetes Association (ADA). She served as Speakers Bureau Chair from 2013 to 2015, delivering impactful community presentations and education, and was an active board member from 2010 to 2015, participating on the ADA Mission Delivery Committee. Her dedication earned her awards recognizing her significant contributions. Furthermore, she initiated and facilitated the "Together We Are Not Alone" quarterly peer-to-peer support workshops (2018-2020) for adults with type 1 diabetes and their supporters, fostering community and empowerment.
Dr. Wardian is also passionate about developing innovative educational tools, including leading an interdisciplinary team to create an immersive E-learning module focused on pediatric patients and social determinants of health. Funded by grants, this module offers healthcare students a realistic glimpse into the challenges faced by Mateo and his intergenerational family managing asthma, thereby enhancing empathy and understanding of social factors in health. She continues to work closely with virtual health coaches, providing resources and strategies to address social determinants of health in client care through regular “Ask the Social Worker” meetings, bridging research and practical application to improve health equity nationwide.
• Arizona State University- Ph.D.
• ASU Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions- Ph.D.
• American Diabetes Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to growth—I stayed home for 20 years to raise my children, then became the first in my family to go to college and ultimately earned my doctorate.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that research is a team sport. I consider myself to be a research match-maker. I look for people who have skills and knowledge that I do not have and integrate them into the team.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to surround yourself with excellent mentors—people who challenge, support, and believe in you. My doctoral mentor was Pat Dustman; she was the most honest leader. She taught me that leaders do not always sit at the head of the table. For me, Dr. Tom Sauerwein was one of those people he inspired me by giving me my first job out of my doctoral program. I loved that job and we worked well together.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating constant change and high expectations, but I believe those challenges make you stronger and better at anything you're trying to achieve—hard work and great relationships truly pay off.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Maintaining a strong work-life balance is one of my core values—raising my children first taught me the importance of prioritizing what matters most (mothering is a transferable skill). I live near my grandchildren and love seeing them several times a week. I encourage those I mentor to be present for their families.
