Leslie S Ritter

Leslie S Ritter , PhD, RN, FAAN

William "Bill" Feinberg Endowed Chair for Stroke Research

Member of the Graduate Faculty

Professor, Neurology

Professor, Nursing

Professor, Physiological Sciences - GIDP

Leslie S Ritter

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Neurology, University of Arizona, 1998
  • Ph.D., Physiology, University of Arizona, 1996
  • M.S., Exercise and Sport Science, University of Arizona, 1992
  • M.S., Nursing, University of Arizona, 1981
  • B.S., Nursing, University of Arizona, 1974

Licensure & Certifications

  • RN, Arizona Nurses Association, 1974

Teaching Interests

Physiology and Pathophysiology

Courses

  • Cellular & Molecular Physiolog
    NURS 747 (Fall 2021)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2021)
  • Pathophysio Across Lifespan
    NURS 500A (Summer 2021)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2021)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2021)
  • Cellular & Molecular Physiolog
    NURS 747 (Fall 2020)
  • Statistic Infer Evid-Bas Pract
    NURS 629 (Fall 2020)
  • Pathophysio Across Lifespan
    NURS 500A (Summer 2020)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2020)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2020)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Fall 2019)
  • Cellular & Molecular Physiolog
    NURS 747 (Fall 2019)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2019)
  • Pathophysio Across Lifespan
    NURS 500A (Summer 2019)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2019)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2019)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2019)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Fall 2018)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2018)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 799 (Fall 2018)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2018)
  • Pathophysio Across Lifespan
    NURS 500A (Summer 2018)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2018)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2018)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 699 (Spring 2018)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2018)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Fall 2017)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2017)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2017)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Summer 2017)
  • Provider of Care IV: Mgm & Ldr
    NURS 614 (Summer 2017)
  • Pathophysio Across Lifespan
    NURS 500A (Summer 2017)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2017)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2017)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 699 (Spring 2017)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2017)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Fall 2016)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2016)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Fall 2016)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2016)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Summer 2016)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Spring 2016)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2016)
  • Research Preceptorship
    NURS 791A (Spring 2016)
  • Biomethods in Nurs Rsrch
    NURS 696R (Spring 2016)
  • Practicum
    NURS 694 (Spring 2016)
  • Adv Physio+Pathphysio
    NURS 501 (Spring 2016)

Research Impact

My research focuses on community-based models to support those who are living with stroke as a chronic condition. I am focused on identifying inflammatory mechanisms in the microcirculation of the brain during reperfusion after ischemic stroke.

Research Interests

Stroke: 1. Mechanisms of inflammation in the cerebral microcirculation during reperfusion after stroke2. Stroke Systems of Care

Journals/Publications

  • Ritter, L. S., Julian, G., Ruth, T., & Carolyn, M. (2019). Hidden Risks: Relationship Among Visceral Adipose Tissue, Interleukin-18, and Adiponectin in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Filipino Americans. Circulation.
  • Haynes, H. N., Gallek, M. J., Sheppard, K. G., Drake, K. W., & Ritter, L. S. (2015). Transitions of care for stroke and TIA. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 27(10), 558-67.
  • Martinez, M., Prabhakar, N., Drake, K., Coull, B., Chong, J., Ritter, L., & Kidwell, C. (2015). Identification of Barriers to Stroke Awareness and Risk Factor Management Unique to Hispanics. International journal of environmental research and public health, 13(1), ijerph13010023.
  • Shaw, K. M., Gallek, M. J., Sheppard, K. G., Ritter, L., Vento, M. A., Asai, S. M., & Nakagawa, K. (2015). Ethnic Differences in Withdrawal of Life Support After Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health : a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health, 74(6), 203-9.
  • Withycombe, J. S., Smith, L. M., Meza, J. L., Merkle, C., Faulkner, M. S., Ritter, L., Seibel, N. L., & Moore, K. (2015). Weight change during childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia induction therapy predicts obesity: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Pediatric blood & cancer, 62(3), 434-9.
  • Funk, J. L., Frye, J. B., Davis-Gorman, G., Spera, A. L., Bernas, M. J., Witte, M. H., Weinand, M. E., Timmermann, B. N., Mcdonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. (2013). Curcuminoids limit neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury in experimental stroke by targeting the endothelium. Microcirculation, 20(6), 544-554.
  • Ritter, L., Funk, J. L., Frye, J. B., Davis-Gorman, G., Spera, A. L., Bernas, M. J., Witte, M. H., Weinand, M. E., Timmermann, B. N., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2013). Curcuminoids limit neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury in experimental stroke by targeting the endothelium. Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994), 20(6).
  • Ritter, L., Rentfro, A. R., McEwen, M., & Ritter, L. S. (0). Perspectives for practice: translating estimated average glucose (eAG) to promote diabetes self-management capacity. The Diabetes educator, 35(4).
  • Siaki, L. A., Loescher, L. J., & Ritter, L. (2012). A cultural perspective of Samoans' perceived risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 27(6), 468-475.
  • Gallek, M. J., & Ritter, L. (2011). Central nervous system genomics.. Annual review of nursing research, 29, 205-226.
  • Morrison, H., McKee, D., & Ritter, L. (2011). Systemic Neutrophil Activation in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke and Reperfusion. Biological Research for Nursing, 13(2), 154-163.
  • Morrison, H., Frye, J., Davis-Gorman, G., Funk, J., McDonagh, P., Stahl, G., & Ritter, L. (2011). The contribution of mannose binding lectin to reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke. Current Neurovascular Research, 8(1), 52-63.
  • Ritter, L., Morrison, H., Frye, J., Davis-Gorman, G., Funk, J., McDonagh, P., Stahl, G., & Ritter, L. S. (2011). The contribution of mannose binding lectin to reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke. Current neurovascular research, 8(1).
  • Ritter, L., Davidson, L., Henry, M., Davis-Gorman, G., Morrison, H., Frye, J. B., Cohen, Z., Chandler, S., Mcdonagh, P., & Funk, J. L. (2011). Exaggerated Neutrophil-Mediated Reperfusion Injury after Ischemic Stroke in a Rodent Model of Type 2 Diabetes. Microcirculation, 18(7), 552-561.
  • Ritter, L., Gallek, M. J., & Ritter, L. S. (2011). Central nervous system genomics. Annual review of nursing research, 29.
  • Ritter, L., Morrison, H., McKee, D., & Ritter, L. S. (2011). Systemic neutrophil activation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and reperfusion. Biological research for nursing, 13(2).
  • Wysocki, K., & Ritter, L. (2011). Diseasome: an approach to understanding gene-disease interactions.. Annual review of nursing research, 29, 55-72.
  • Henry, M., Davidson, L., Cohen, Z., McDonagh, P. F., Nolan, P. E., & Ritter, L. S. (2009). Whole blood aggregation, coagulation, and markers of platelet activation in diet-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 84(1), 11-18.
  • Rentfro, A. R., McEwen, M., & Ritter, L. (2009). Perspectives for practice: Translating estimated average glucose (eAG) to promote diabetes self-management capacity. Diabetes Educator, 35(4), 581-594.
  • Cohen, Z., Davis-Gorman, G., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. (2008). Caspase inhibition of platelet activation. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, 19(4), 305-309.
  • Henry, M. L., Davidson, L. B., Wilson, J. E., McKenna, B. K., Scott, S. A., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2008). Whole blood aggregation and coagulation in db/db and ob/ob mouse models of type 2 diabetes. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, 19(2), 124-134.
  • Ritter, L., Cohen, Z., Davis-Gorman, G., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2008). Caspase inhibition of platelet activation. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis, 19(4).
  • Ritter, L. (2008). Ischemia-reperfusion injury after stroke: From mechanisms to a nursing process. Nursing Science Quarterly, 21(1), 41-42.
  • Ritter, L., & Ritter, L. S. (2008). Ischemia-reperfusion injury after stroke: from mechanisms to a nursing process. Nursing science quarterly, 21(1).
  • Ritter, L., Henry, M. L., Davidson, L. B., Wilson, J. E., McKenna, B. K., Scott, S. A., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2008). Whole blood aggregation and coagulation in db/db and ob/ob mouse models of type 2 diabetes. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis, 19(2).
  • Ritter, L., Funk, J., Schenkel, L., Tipton, A., Downey, K., Wilson, J., Coull, B., & McDonagh, P. (2008). Inflammatory and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral microcirculation of aged rats after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Microcirculation, 15(4), 297-310.
  • Ritter, L., Funk, J., Schenkel, L., Tipton, A., Downey, K., Wilson, J., Coull, B., & McDonagh, P. (2008). Inflammatory and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral microcirculation of aged rats after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Microcirculation, 15(3), 297-310.
  • Maes, M. L., Davidson, L. B., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2007). Comparison of sample fixation and the use of LDS-751 or anti-CD45 for leukocyte identification in mouse whole blood for flow cytometry. Journal of Immunological Methods, 319(1-2), 79-86.
  • Ritter, L., Maes, M. L., Davidson, L. B., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2007). Comparison of sample fixation and the use of LDS-751 or anti-CD45 for leukocyte identification in mouse whole blood for flow cytometry. Journal of immunological methods, 319(1-2).
  • Ritter, L. S., Stempel, K. M., Coull, B. M., & McDonagh, P. F. (2005). Leukocyte-platelet aggregates in rat peripheral blood after ischemic stroke and reperfusion. Biological Research for Nursing, 6(4), 281-288.
  • Cohen, Z., Wilson, J., Ritter, L., & McDonagh, P. (2004). Caspase inhibition decreases both platelet phosphatidylserine exposure and aggregation: Caspase inhibition of platelets. Thrombosis Research, 113(6), 387-393.
  • Funk, J. L., Migliati, E., Chen, G., Wei, H., Wilson, J., Downey, K. J., Mullarky, P. J., Coull, B. M., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2003). Parathyroid hormone-related protein induction in focal stroke: A neuroprotective vascular peptide. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 284(4 53-4), R1021-R1030.
  • Ritter, L., Funk, J. L., Migliati, E., Chen, G., Wei, H., Wilson, J., Downey, K. J., Mullarky, P. J., Coull, B. M., McDonagh, P. F., & Ritter, L. S. (2003). Parathyroid hormone-related protein induction in focal stroke: a neuroprotective vascular peptide. American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 284(4).
  • Ritter, L., Ruehl, M. L., Orozco, J. A., Stoker, M. B., McDonagh, P. F., Coull, B. M., & Ritter, L. S. (2002). Protective effects of inhibiting both blood and vascular selectins after stroke and reperfusion. Neurological research, 24(3).
  • Ruehl, M. L., Orozco, J. A., Stoker, M. B., McDonagh, P. F., Coull, B. M., & Ritter, L. S. (2002). Protective effects of inhibiting both blood and vascular selectins after stroke and reperfusion. Neurological Research, 24(3), 226-232.
  • Gale, S. C., Hokama, J. Y., Ritter, L. S., Gorman, G. D., Copeland, J. G., & McDonagh, P. F. (2001). Pentoxifylline reduces coronary leukocyte accumulation early in reperfusion after cold ischemia. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 71(4), 1305-1311.
  • Hokama, J. Y., Ritter, L. S., Davis-Gorman, G., Cimetta, A. D., Copeland, J. G., & McDonagh, P. F. (2000). Diabetes enhances leukocyte accumulation in the coronary microcirculation early in reperfusion following ischemia. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 14(2), 96-107.
  • Ritter, L. S., Orozco, J. A., Coull, B. M., & McDonagh, P. F. (2000). Leukocyte accumulation and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral microcirculation during early reperfusion after stroke. Stroke, 31(5), 1153-1161.
  • Ritter, L. S., Copeland, J. G., & McDonagh, P. F. (1998). Fucoidin reduces coronary microvascular leukocyte accumulation early in reperfusion. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 66(6), 2063-2072.
  • Ritter, L. S., & McDonagh, P. F. (1997). Low-flow reperfusion after myocardial ischemia enhances leukocyte accumulation in coronary microcirculation. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 42(3), H1154-H1165.
  • Ritter, L. S., & Mcdonagh, P. F. (1997). Low-flow reperfusion after myocardial ischemia enhances leukocyte accumulation in coronary microcirculation. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 273(3 42-3), H1154-H1165.
  • Ritter, L. S., Wilson, D. S., Williams, S. K., Copeland, J. G., & McDonagh, P. F. (1996). Pentoxifylline reduces leukocyte retention in the coronary microcirculation early in reperfusion following ischemia. International Journal of Microcirculation-Clinical and Experimental, 16(4), 170-179.
  • Ritter, L. S., Wilson, D. S., Williams, S. K., Copeland, J. G., & McDonagh, P. F. (1995). Early in reperfusion following myocardial ischemia, leukocyte activation is necessary for venular adhesion but not capillary retention. Microcirculation, 2(4), 315-327.
  • Henriksen, E. J., & Ritter, L. S. (1993). Effect of soleus unweighting on stimulation of insulin-independent glucose transport activity. Journal of Applied Physiology, 74(4), 1653-1657.
  • Henriksen, E. J., & Ritter, L. S. (1993). Effect of insulin-like factors on glucose transport activity in unweighted rat skeletal muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology, 75(2), 820-824.
  • Henriksen, E. J., Schneider, M. C., & Ritter, L. S. (1993). Regulation of contraction-stimulated system a amino acid uptake in skeletal muscle: Role of vicinal sulfhydryls. Metabolism, 42(4), 440-445.

Presentations

  • Ritter, L. S. (2020, January). Stroke Transitions of Care--Are we Meeting Post Stroke Families Needs?. Mercy Care Case Manager Conference. Tucson, AZ: Mercy Care.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2019, Spring). What's New in Stroke Treatments. Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group. Tucson, Arizona: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tucson.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2019, Summer 2019). Community Stroke Services. Hacienda at the River Partners Event.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2019, Summer). Use it or Lose it-- Neuroplasticity After Stroke. Stroke Resource Center of Southern Arizona Retreat. Tucson, Arizona.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2019, Spring 2020). Are We Reaching Those Living With Stroke?. Mercy Care Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Mercy Care.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2019, Fall). Community Centered Stroke Transitions of Care. 5th Annual Arizona Stroke Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Tucson Stroke Leadership Group.
  • Sillah, I., Ogutu, B., McArthur, D., & Ritter, L. S. (2019, Spring). Needs Assessment For Using a Stroke Scale in Urban and Rural Kenyan Hospital Settings. Sigma Theta Tau 30th International Nursing Research Congress. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2017, May). Living With Stroke: The Value of Community Resource Support. Life After Stroke and Brain Injury Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Tucson Medical Center.
  • Ritter, L. S. (2017, June). Stroke and Aphasia: What's the Connection?. Living With Aphasia Conference. Tucson, AZ: Aphasia Center.

Poster Presentations

  • Laws, L., Ritter, L. S., McEwen, M., & Loescher, L. (2019, Spring). Towards a community-based stroke transitional care model. Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) Annual Conference. San Diego, CA: WIN.
  • Ritter, L. S., Gallek, M., Pace, T. W., Taylor-Piliae, R. E., & Gallegos Jr., J. L. (2019, March). Hidden Risks: Relationship among visceral adipose tissue, interleukin - 18, and adiponectin in the development of type 2 diabetes in Filipino Americans. American Heart Association's 2019 EPI/Lifestyle Scientific Sessions. Houston, TX: American Heart Association.