Bruce S. Zitkus, EdD, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, CDE      

      Dr. Bruce S. Zitkus is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Parent Child Health in the School of Nursing at Stony Brook University. He previously was a member of the Department of Family and Adult Health for eleven years.  He teaches in the Distance Learning Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.  His teaching expertise includes all aspects of Primary Care Practice including Adult Health, Women’s Health and Pediatrics.  Dr. Zitkus is also an expert on the Acute Abdomen, STD’s, Fatigue, Chest Pain, Hyperlipidemia, PAD, Diabetes & Thyroid diseases, various GI diseases, Men's Health issues, and Obesity.

      Dr. Zitkus completed his doctorate of education at Dowling College on Long Island in May 2008.  His research interest for his doctorate was “Obesity and Weight Loss:  Influence of Personality, Motivational Factors, and Weight Loss Regimen Factors.” He started his educational pursuits as a freshman at the University of Dallas in Dallas, Texas.  He was awarded a Basselin Scholarship and finished his undergraduate years at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1982.  After working in various administrative positions, he pursued his Associate Degree in Applied Science (Nursing) at Rockland Community College (RCC) in Suffern, NY in 1987.   At RCC he was President of the Student Nurses Association, Editor of the Student Nurses Association of RCC’s Newsletter, and was Class Speaker at the capping ceremony in January 1990.  He completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Excelsior College, formerly known as Regents College in 1993.  He obtained his Masters of Science as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in 1997 and his Post-Master’s Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1998 from Stony Brook University on Long Island.

      Dr. Zitkus is nationally Board Certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Diabetic Educator.   He currently works part-time at DocCare in Hauppauge, New York managing and treating both adults and children (the youngest being a couple of days old to patients in their 90's).  His previous experiences include private practice in Family Practice (Farmingville, NY), Internal Medicine (Babylon, NY) and in Family Medicine (Wantagh, NY).  He also served as House Officer (Hospitalist) at Massapequa General Hospital for three years. In the latter position he dealt with acute emergencies and routine care of patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Telemetry Unit, Medical/Surgical Units and Emergency Department at the hospital.  

      Dr. Zitkus’ medical experience started as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) in the U.S. Navy at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he worked in General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Neurosurgery & Orthopedic Surgery. He was promoted to the Office of the Commanding Officer as the Enlisted Administrative Assistant on the Commanding Officer’s staff.  An additional title assigned to him was “Petty-Officer-In-Charge” of the Presidential Suite.  Dr. Zitkus had this  responsibility during the administrations of President’s Ford & Carter which required being on-call 24 hours a day as well as working closely with the CIA.  He completed his Naval Career on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. as the Personal Assistant to the Attending Physician to the U.S. Congress. In this position he assisted in providing medical treatment to both Congressmen and Senators as well as responding to any acute emergencies in the Capitol Hill environment.  He was also the solo medic to Senators and Congressman as they traveled within the United States to various functions.

      After leaving the U.S. Navy and obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, he worked in the Office of the President of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  His initial position was Assistant to the Director of Development which focused on fund-raising activities for the University through individual, corporate, and foundation entities.  He was later asked to become the Manager of Development Records where he was responsible for all financial and personal records of individuals providing gifts to the University as well as correspondence to the same.  He also developed computer recording keeping programs utilizing the resources of the Informatics Office at the University.  After three years in development, Dr. Zitkus moved on to work for Lifespring, Inc., (adult experiential training programs) as the Production Manager for the local office in Old Town Alexandria, VA.  In this position, Dr. Zitkus was responsible for managing, negotiating and setting-up all training sites for the various one to five day programs. 

      After twelve years in Washington, DC,   Dr. Zitkus moved to New York and pursued his nursing career.  As a Registered Nurse, Dr. Zitkus worked mostly in critical care environments including the following Intensive Care Units:  Medical / Surgical / Cardiac / Cardiac Surgery / Transplantation.  He was certified as a Critical Care Nurse during these years and was promoted to the following positions: Night Clinician (CVICU @ SBUMC) and later the Nurse Manager of the Cardiac Care Unit and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the VAMC in Northport.  He also served as Program Chair, Secretary, and President of the Suffolk County Critical Care Nurses Association.

      Dr. Zitkus has published journal articles on Sarcoidosis, Transesophageal Echocardiography, and Aseptic Meningitis:  A Case Study for Discussion and co-published case studies on Acute Diarrhea, Skin Rashes, and Acute Testicular Pain.  Most recently he was published in February 2009 in Advance for Nurse Practitioners on the "Evaluation of the Acute Abdomen: Key Issues in Primary Care Settings" as the CEU Offering / Acute Care.

      He is a featured national speaker on various topics such as Hyperlipidemia, Management of the Acute Abdomen, Abdominal Hypertension and the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome, Barriers to Men’s Health in Primary Care, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Obesity, Diabetes, and the Metabolic Syndrome.  He has also spoken locally on Long Island on Allergic, Seasonal & Perennial Rhinitis, Diabetes, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Primary Dysmenorrhea, Male Sexual Dysfunction, Asthma, and Upper Respiratory Infections. He has spoken at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) national conference in Florida providing two three hour workshops on the Acute Abdomen in Primary Care.  He recently spoke at the AANP conference which was held in June 2006 in Grapevine, TX.  The topics included two three hour workshops on the Acute Abdomen in Primary Care, a lecture on Abdominal Hypertension and the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome, and a lecture on Cultural Barriers to Men’s Health in Primary Care.  This past year, Dr. Zitkus spoke at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner's 22nd National Conference held in Indianapolis in June 2007, the American College of Nurse Practitioner's Clinical Conference in October 2007 in San Antonio, TX, and the Royal College of Nursing's Annual NP Conference in London, England in September 2007.  Dr. Zitkus spoke at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner's 23rd Annual Conference held in Washington, DC in June 2008.  He spoke on "Men and Health Care Providers: What's the Mystery?" (Lecture) and "Abdominal Pain: What the Primary Care Clinician Needs to Know!" (3 hr workshop).  In addition, Dr. Zitkus will present his Acute Abdomen Workshop at the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association's annual conference held in Verona, NY at the end of September.  He presented his doctoral research at The Obesity Society's Annual Scientific Meeting held in Phoenix, AZ from October 4-7, 2008.  Dr. Zitkus was the Keynote speaker for the "2009 Spring Colloquium Nursing Care of Children: Advances in Pediatrics" at the New York Institute of Technology in Westbury, NY on March 12, 2009 where he spoke on "Obesity Management in Pediatrics".  He has been invited again to participate at the AANP's annual conference being held in Nashville, TN in June 2009, where he will present his workshop on "The Acute Abdomen", and two lectures on "Obesity Management in Primary Care" and "Men and Health Care Providers:  What's the Mystery?".  In addition, he will be speaking at the same conference at a Breakfast Symposium on the topic of "Gout Management in Primary Care".  Dr. Zitkus will also be presenting his "Acute Abdomen Workshop" and lectures on "Peripheral Arterial Disease Diagnosis and Management in Primary Care" and "Cultural Barriers to Men's Health" at the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association's 25th Annual Clinical Conference being held in Verona, NY in September 2009.  Lastly, he will be presenting his doctoral dissertation work on obesity at the 40th Biennial Conference of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in Indianapolis, IN in November 2009.

 Education:

·         2009:  Currently pursuing a Post Masters in Pediatrics (PNP) at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

          2008:  Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY

·         2006:  Myers Briggs Type Indicator Qualification Certificate, CPP, Inc.

·         1998:  Post-Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

·         1997:  Masters of Science (Adult Nurse Practitioner), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

·         1994:  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of the State of New York, Albany, NY

·         1990:  Associates in Applied Science in Undergraduate Nursing, Rockland Community College, Suffern, NY

·         1982:  Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

·         1975:  Hospital Corpsman School, U.S. Navy, San Diego, CA

 Current Organization Memberships: 

·         American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

·         American Association of Diabetic Educators (AADE)

·         American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)

·         Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS)

·         National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)

·         Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island, Inc. (NPALI)

·         Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

·         Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Kappa Gamma Chapter

·         The Association of Psychological Type (APT)

·         The Obesity Society (NAASO)

·         The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (NPANYS)

Leadership Roles:

          2010 - Pres: Editorial Advisory Board, The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Care, New York, NY (Appointment)

          2010 - Pres: Presiding Officer, Faculty Assembly of School of Nursing, Stony Brook University (Elected position)

          2010 - Pres: Chair, Member Resources Committee, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Washington, DC

          2009 - Pres: Member, Governance Committee, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (International election)

·         2009 - Pres: Member, Vice President for Academics, United University Professions, HSC Chapter, Stony Brook University

          2009 - Pres: Member, Academic Committee, United University Professions, HSC Chapter, Stony Brook University

          2009 - Pres: Member, Local Action Project (LAP) United University Professions, HSC Chapter, Stony Brook University

          2008 - 2010: President, Kappa Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

          2008 - 2009: Chair: Research Committee, Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island, Inc.

          2008 - 2009: Chair: Finance Committee, Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island, Inc.

·         2008 - 2009: Chair, Nominations Committee, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

          2007 - 2008: Member, Nominations Committee, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

·         2006 - 2008: President-Elect, Kappa Gamma Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

·         2006 - 2007: Treasurer, Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island, Inc.

·         2006 - Pres:  Delegate, United University Professions, HSC Chapter, Stony Brook University

·         2004:            President, Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island, Inc.

·         1994 - 1995:  President, Suffolk County Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses 

Awards and Honors:

·         2010: Nurse Practitioner New York State PAC Award (10/23/10)

·         2010: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners New York State Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence

·         2010: Stony Brook University Hospital Division of Nursing Certificate of Appreciation: Commitment to the profession of nursing through certifications, posters, speaking engagements, and published articles

·         2009: The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State Nancy J. MacIntrye, PhD., FNP, Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award, 9/09

·         2009: Sigma Theta Tau International Kappa Gamma Chapter Outstanding Leadership Award, 6/09

·         2008: Lilly Pharmaceuticals Faculty Appreciation Award

·         2007:  AANP Foundation Novo Nordisk Inc. NP Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant

·         2007:  Sigma Theta Tau International Stony Brook University Kappa Gamma Chapter Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant

·         2007:  Sigma Theta Tau International Stony Brook University Kappa Gamma Chapter’s Excellence in Nursing Education Award

·         2006:  Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Fellowship Award

·         2005:  Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island’s Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award

·         2005:  National League of Nursing’s Foundation for Nursing Education Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Scholarship Award

·         2005:  American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Foundation Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Education Scholarship

·         2005:  Stony Brook University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

·         2005:  Regional Winner of the New York / New Jersey Nursing Spectrum 2005 Excellence in  Teaching Award

·         2005:  Finalist in the New York / New Jersey Nursing Spectrum 2005 Excellence in Teaching Award

·         2003:  Legislative Fellow Internship from the American Academy of NP’s

·         1997:  Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

·         1997:  Stony Brook University School of Nursing Award for being the “Most Published Student in the Class of 1997” 

·         1997:  Stony Brook University School of Nursing “Overall Excellence Award” in the Class of 1997

·         1995:  Outstanding Leadership Award from the Suffolk County Critical Care Nurses Association

·         1992:  CVICU Nurse of the Year at University Hospital at Stony Brook, NY

·         1990:  Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges

·         1990:  Rockland Community College Service Award

·         1990:  Rockland Community College School of Nursing Capping Ceremony Class Speaker

·         1990:  Inducted Phi Sigma Omicron Honorary Society (Rockland Community College)

·         1979:  Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy

·         1978:  U.S. Navy Commendation Award

·         1976:  Advanced to Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

·         1975:  Appointment as Hospital Corpsman Third Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Dr. Zitkus loves teaching and precepting nurse practitioner students as well as practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

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