Abraham A. Brody

Faculty

Ab Brody headshot

Abraham A. Brody

FAAN PhD RN

Mathy Mezey Professor of Geriatric Nursing
Associate Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

1 212 992 7341

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Abraham (Ab) Brody, PhD, RN, FAAN is associate director of the HIGN, Mathy Mezey Professor of Geriatric Nursing and Professor of Medicine. He is also the founder of Aliviado Health, an implementation arm of HIGN focused on implementing high-quality, evidence-based care to support persons living with dementia and their care partners. His work centers on the intersection of geriatrics, palliative care, quality, and equity. This includes the development of interventions tailored for diverse and underserved older adults with serious illness and their care partners that can be implemented in real-world conditions are tested for effectiveness in large multi-site clinical trials. His work leverages emerging technologies, including precision health and machine learning, to support the interdisciplinary healthcare workforce.

Dr. Brody serves in many leadership roles, working across disciplines to help advance geriatrics and palliative care nationally and internationally. As Pilot Core Lead of the NIA IMPACT Collaboratory, he is responsible for heading the pilot program, which reviews and awards funds to help investigators prepare for large-scale pragmatic clinical trials for persons living with dementia and their care partners. He also is an experienced mentor and enjoys training early career faculty, PhD students, and post-doctoral scholars at NYU and nationally in geriatric and palliative focused intervention development and testing.

PhD - University of California, San Francisco (2008)
MSN - University of California, San Francisco (2006)
BA - New York University, College of Arts and Sciences (2002)

Home care
Palliative care
Non-communicable disease
Health Policy
Gerontology
Interprofessionalism
Chronic disease
Community/population health
Neurology
Research methods
Underserved populations

American Geriatrics Society
Eastern Nursing Research Society
Gerontological Society of America
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
International Home Care Nurses Organization
Palliative Care Research Cooperative
Sigma Theta Tau, Upsilon Chapter

Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2017)
Fellow, Palliative Care Nursing, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (2017)
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2016)
Fellow, Gerontological Society of America (2016)
Nurse Faculty Scholar, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2014)
Sojourns Scholar, Cambia Health Foundation (2014)
Medical Reserve Corps, NYC, Hurricane Sandy Award (2013)
Goddard Fellowship, NYU (2013)
Research Scholar, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (2010)
Finalist, SRPP Section Young Investigator, Gerontological Society of America (2008)
Edith M. Pritchard Award, Nurses' Education Funds (2006)
Scholar, Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity, John A Hartford (2006)
Finalist, Student Regent, University of California, San Francisco (2005)
Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing Honor Society (2004)

Shareholder value and the performance of a large nursing home chain

Kitchener, M., O’Meara, J., Brody, A., Lee, H. Y., & Harrington, C. (2008). Health Services Research, 43(3), 1062-1084. 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2007.00818.x
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. To analyze corporate governance arrangements and quality and financial performance outcomes among large multi-facility nursing home corporations (chains) that pursue stakeholder value (profit maximization) strategies. Study Design. To establish a foundation of knowledge about the focal phenomenon and processes, we conducted an historical (1993-2005) case study of one of the largest chains (Sun Helathcare Inc.) that triangulated qualitative and quantitative data sources. Data Sources. Two main sets of information were compared: (1) corporate sources including Sun's Security Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10-K annual reports, industry financial reports, and the business press; and (2) external sources including, legal documents, press reports, and publicly available California facility cost reports and quality data. Principal Findings. Shareholder value was pursued at Sun through three inter-linked strategies: (1) rapid growth through debt-financed mergers; (2) labor cost constraint through low nurse staffing levels; and (3) a model of corporate governance that views sanctions for fraud and poor quality as a cost of business. Conclusions. Study findings and evidence from other large nursing home chains underscore calls from the Institute of Medicine and other bodies for extended oversight of the corporate governance and performance of large nursing home chains.

Elder neglect

Fulmer, T., Lemko, C., Paeza, G., & Brody, A. (2007). In E. Capezuti (Ed.), The encyclopedia of elder care (1–, pp. 83-85). Springer Publishing.

End of life care planning

Scholder, J., Brody, A., & Bottrell, M. (2003). In E. Siegler, S. Mirafzali, & J. Foust (Eds.), An introduction to hospitals and impatient care (1–, pp. 279-291). Springer Publishing.

What impact do setting and transitions have on the quality of life at the end of life and the quality of the dying process?

Mezey, M., Dubler, N. N., Mitty, E., & Brody, A. A. (2002). Gerontologist, 42, 54-67. 10.1093/geront/42.suppl_3.54
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this article was to identify major research needs related to quality of life at the end of life and quality of the dying process for vulnerable older people at home, in assisted living facilities, in skilled nursing facilities, and in prisons. Design and Methods: Review and analysis of the literature was used. Results: The science is generally weak in relationship to what is known about quality of life at the end of life and quality of dying for vulnerable older adults in different settings. Few studies address actively dying patients and the reasons for transfers between home and other settings. Existing studies are primarily anecdotal, descriptive, have small samples, and involve a single setting. Participant decisional capacity is a barrier to conducting research in these settings. Implications: Research recommendations for each setting and across settings are provided. The National Institutes of Health should clarify criteria for enrollment of persons with diminished, fluctuating, and absent decisional capacity in research.

Elder neglect

Fulmer, T., Paveza, G., & Brody, A. (2001). In M. Mezey (Ed.), The encyclopedia of elder care (1–, pp. 233-235). Springer Publishing.