Lola A. Coke PhD, ACNS-BC, RN-BC, FAHA, FPCNA

Dr. Lola Coke is an associate professor in adult health and gerontological nursing. Dr. Coke has worked as a cardiovascular nurse for 39 years; 22 years as a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist. Her acute care experience ranges from intermediate cardiac critical care to care of post open heart and peripheral vascular surgery patients.

Her research area of interest includes the impact of resistance training on household physical activities and quality of life in women experiencing cardiac events. She was awarded an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in 2001 and developed a “Healthy Heart” program for under-served African American women, continuing the program for two years, and currently serves on the Advisory Council for the program. In 2006 she received the “Martha Hill New Investigator” Award from the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, American Heart Association for her resistance training research. In addition, Dr. Coke completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Bio-behavioral Health Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Coke is certified in Motivational Interviewing and conducts workshops and webinars nationally and internationally. Dr. Coke is a member of the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular Nursing Board of Directors. Coke is also a member of AACVPR and ACSM.