Candy Wilson

Biography

Dr. Candy Wilson is a women’s health-focused nurse scientist whose research has significantly impacted military women's health and health care. Her work has focused on three key areas: illness behaviors of deployed military women managing genitourinary symptoms, maintaining healthy iron status for female trainees, and integrative medicine treatments for low back pain. These research initiatives have led to changes in healthcare practice through policy and education, providing evidence-based support for women in traditionally male-dominated positions.

Since 2006, Dr. Wilson has been reporting research results that informed military medic training, updated supply lists for deployed settings, and improved pre-deployment checklists for women. Her contributions were pivotal in preparing for the Secretary of Defense's decision in January 2016 to open all military occupations to women, including combat positions. She also led a Military Women’s Health Research Interest Group, funded by the TriService Nursing Research Program, which contributed to a report to Congress in July 2015 titled "Deployment Health for Women."

Dr. Wilson honorably served in the active duty US Air Force and retired in 2022. Throughout her career, she provided patient care as a clinical nurse and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, including delivering women’s health care in Afghanistan villages to over 3,000 women and children. She has published 57 peer-reviewed papers and three book chapters, and has been awarded over $22 million in research funding. At the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, her research goals include collaborating on military and veteran research focusing on sex and gender differences in health and well-being, including alternative therapies.

Education

• Health Professions Education Teaching Certificate, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (2022), Bethesda, MD
• MS of Health Science in Clinical Research, Duke University (2019), Durham, NC
• PhD, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center (2006), Denver, CO
• MSN: Maternal Child Nursing, University of Tennessee (2000), Knoxville, TN
• BSN, Western Kentucky University (1992), Bowling Green, KY
• AA, Okaloosa-Walton Community College (1989), Niceville, FL

Teaching

Teaching at FAU

• NGR 7818 Advanced Quantitative Methods
• NGR 6110 Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring

Teaching at Uniformed Services University

• PHD820 Research Experience I
• PHD821 Research Experience II
• PHD822 Research Experience III
• PHD823 Research Internship
• PHD831 Qualitative Research Methods
• PHD838B Qualitative Research Methods 2
• PHD840 Emerging Scholars I
• PHD841 Emerging Scholars II
• PHD842 Emerging Scholars III
• GSN701 Advanced Practice Role
• NURS6511 Essentials of Gyn Health
• NURS661 Advanced Diagnosis & Management in Embryology, Gynecology, & Obstetrical Care
• NURS8816 Conceptual Frameworks and Theoretical Models
• NURS8834 Mixed Methods Research

Grants Awarded

• Effects of Acupuncture for Perceived Stress and Health in Military Service Members. TriService Nursing Research Program ($250K) (Role: Mentor/Associate Investigator).
• USMC Drill Instructors’ Eating and Making Weight Behaviors: A Mixed Methods Study. TriService Nursing Research Program ($250K) (Role: Mentor/Associate Investigator).
• Exploring Women’s Health Issues in the US Military Reserves using the Social Ecological Model for Military Women’s Health. TriService Nursing Research Program ($350K) (Role: Associate Investigator).
• Leveraging the Mission Wellness mobile application to support career and family planning in US service members. TriService Nursing Research Program ($500K) (Role: Principal Investigator).
• Impact of a Mobile Application for Contraceptive Decision Making. TriService Nursing Research Program ($330K) (Role: Associate Investigator) 2020-2022.
• Perioperative Handoff Study. Local Funding ($500) (Role: Consultant) 2020-2022.
• Adjustment Disorders in the US Military: Addressing Gaps in Knowledge and Practice. Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program ($1.1M) (Role: Co-Investigator)
• Combating Infertility During Military Service: A Grounded Theory Approach. TriService Nursing Research Program ($339K) (Role: Associate Investigator/Methods Mentor) 2018-2021
• The Experience of Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Military. TriService Nursing Research Program ($250K) (Role: Associate Investigator/Methods Mentor) 2018-2021
• Create, Translate, and Implement Evidence into Air Force Healthcare. TriService Nursing Research Program ($450K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2017-2019
• A Delphi Study to Determine Military Women’s Health Research Priorities. TriService Nursing Research Program ($400K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2016-2018
• Battlefield Acupuncture for the Treatment of Low Back Pain in Active Duty Military Members. TriService Nursing Research Program ($445K). (Role: Principal Investigator). 2016-2021
• Gulf War Women's Health Cohort. Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) ($1.1M). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2016-2021
• Iron Status Determination Point-of-Care Device. Defense Health Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs (Role: Concept developer/Contract Representative) ($2.8M). 2015-2022
• Evaluation of a Standard Clinical Practice Guideline for Sustaining Iron Status in Female Warriors. Joint Planning Committee-5 (JPC-5) ($1.1M). (Role: Principal Investigator). 2015-2021
• Working Dogs for Wounded Warriors: Understanding Patient Stress in Aeromedical Evacuation and the Impact of Animal-Assisted Intervention. TriService Nursing Research Program ($250K) (Role: Associate Investigator) 2014-2017
• Acupuncture Training Across Clinical Settings. Defense Health Agency/Veterans Affairs Health Executive Committee ($5.4M) (Role: Associate Investigator) 2013-2015
• Military Medics’ Insight into Providing Women’s Health Services. TriService Nursing Research Program ($350K). (Role: Principal Investigator). 2011-2015.
• A Trial to Maximize Accuracy of Military Women’s Genitourinary Infection Self-Diagnosis. TriService Nursing Research Program ($193K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2007-2013
• Military Women’s Health and Illness Behaviors in Deployed Settings. TriService Nursing Research Program ($134K). (Role: Principal Investigator) 2008-2011
• Iron Status of Deployed Military Members. Air Force Surgeon General and TriService Nursing Research Program ($25K). (Role: Principal Investigator). 2009-2011
• Stress Gym for Combat Casualty Patients. TriService Nursing Research Program ($460K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2008-2010.
• Impact of Deployment of Nurses on Retention. TriService Nursing Research Program ($220K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2008-2009.
• Effect of Zinc Supplements on Preventing Upper Respiratory Infections in Air Force Academy Cadets in Basic Training. USAF Surgeon General ($25K). (Role: Associate Investigator). 2007-2008

Publications (5 years) See full list at:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1dkh9a9Z-xdQlk/bibliography/public/

• Phillips, A.K., Wilson, C., Ahmed, A., Shet, A., Bevans, M. (2025). Venous
  Thromboembolism with Contraceptive Use in Females with Sickle Cell Trait. AJOG Global Reports, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100497
• Gunasingha, R.M.K.D., O’Brien, M., Lutkynski, M., Spear, B., Allnutt, R., Hepps, J., Mora, A., Nelson, J., Gage, M., Wilson, C., & Yu,C. (2025). Barriers to Effective Perioperative Handoffs: An Interview-based Qualitative Descriptive Study. Journal for Healthcare Quality. (in press)
• Trego, L.L., Phillips, A.K., Washington, T.N., Lynn, A.B., & Wilson, C. (2025). Use of a Mobile Application for Contraceptive Decision Making: A Pragmatic Clinical Trial. Military Medicine. (in press).
• Sacca, L., Wilson, C., Hopkins, D. K., Kitsantas, P., Densley, S., Lobaina, D., Peters, D., Branstetter, B., Clelland-Goddard, A., & Craig, C. (2024). HPV Vaccination Rates in Military Females: The Need for a Multi-Level and Evidence-Based Approach. American journal of health promotion: AJHP, 8901171241282579. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171241282579
• Sacca, L.; Lobaina, D.; Knopf, E.; Burgoa, S.; Jimenez, S.; Okwaraji, G.; Etzel, M.; Vardanyan, V.; Tharp, M.; Rao, M,…Wilson, C. (2024). Assessment of the Validity and Quality of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Screening Tools Available for Women Globally: A Systematic Review. Clinical Practice, 14, 1625-1649. https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14050131
• Troncoso, M. R., Wilson, C., Scott, J., & Deuster, P. A. (2024). US Navy Sailors Modify Their Eating Behaviors to Pass Cyclic Physical Readiness Tests. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2024.05.232
• Sacca, L., Okwaraji, G., Densley, S., Marciniak, A., Knecht, M., Wilson, C., Pilitsis, J. G., & Hopkins, D. (2024). Polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic pain among females and individuals of childbearing age: A scoping review. SAGE open medicine, 12, 20503121241262158. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241262158
• Elliott, T., Merlano, M.P., Morris, D., Wilson, C., & Pilitsis, J.G. (2024). A scoping review of mechanisms of auricular acupuncture for treatment of pain. Postgraduate Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2024.2333232
• Hopkins, D., Walker, S. C., Wilson, C., Siaki, L., Phillips, A. K., & Wallen, G. R. (2023). The Experience of Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Military. Military medicine, usad241. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad241
• Abdullah, U.E.H., Kelly, S., Ricker, A., Nabage, M., Khazen, O., Telkes, I., DiMarzio, M. Wilson, C., Pilitsis, J.G. (2023). Perceptions of pain in aging females undergoing spinal cord stimulation. Future Medicine, 13(12). https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt-2023-0100
• Kandah, M., Wilson, C., & Pilitsis, J. G. (2023). Role of Integrative Health on Neuropathic Pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 27, 49-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01102-9
• Wilson, C. (2023). Battlefield Acupuncture: It’s time to expand nursing practice to care for patients. In Seibert, D., Malone, B., DeLeon, P. (eds). Shaping Nursing Policy. Academic Press.
• Mancuso, J. D., Young, J., Rusiecki, J., Stahlman, S., Schvey, N., Randolph, T., Wilson, C., Witkop, C., Hyde, P., Green, A., Santiago, P., Shell, D., and Sbrocco, T. (2023). Advancing Health Equity in the US Military. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 16(1). https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol16/iss1/3
• Troncoso, M., Wilson, C., Scott, J., & Duester, P. (2023). Exploring Influences of Eating Behaviors Among Emerging Adults in the Military. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(5), P331-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2023.02.004 (D) (MS)
• Williams, J.K., Best, N., Carr. S., Wilson, C., & Seibert, D. (2023). How a graduate nursing program implemented a virtual oral examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. eLearn Magazine, 2(Special Issue), article 8. https://elearnmag.acm.org/special_issue_2022.cfm
• Trego, L. L., Middleton, M. C. A., Centi, S., McNair, B., Braun, L., Siaki, L., Hopkins, D., & Wilson, C. (2023). The military women's health Delphi study: A research agenda for the next decade. Military medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac271 (D)
• Iobst, S. E., Best, N., Smith, D. C., Phillips, M. A. K., Wilson, C., & Trego, L. (2023). Promoting military women's health through research design. Military medicine, 188(3-4), 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac310
• Phillips, A. K., Buechel, J. J., Druse, F. C., 3rd, Hopkins, D., Oblea, P. N., Siaki, L., Trego, L. L., & Wilson, C. (2022). Continuing the legacy of a military women's health research interest group. Nursing outlook, 70(6S2), S153–S160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.08.008
• Buechel, J., Spalding, C. N., Brock, W. W., Dye, J. L., Todd, N., Wilson, C., & Fry-Bowers, E. K. (2022). A Grounded Theory Approach to Navigating Infertility Care During U.S. Military Service. Military medicine, 174. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac174
  
• Iobst, S. E., Phillips, A. K., & Wilson, C. (2021). Shared decision-making during labor and birth among low-risk active duty women in the U.S. military. Military Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab486
• Iobst, S.E., Phillips, A.K., Foster, G., Wasserman, J., Wilson, C. (2021). Integrative review of racial disparities in perinatal outcomes among beneficiaries of the military health system. JOGNN, 51(1), 16-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2021.09.002
• Krengel, M., Sullivan, K., Heboyan, V., Zundel, C. G., Wilson, C., Klimas, N., & Coughlin, S. S. (2021). Neurotoxicant exposures and rates of Chronic Multisymptom Illness and Kansas Gulf War Illness criteria in Gulf War deployed women veterans. Life sciences, 280, 119623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119623
• Trego, L.L., & Wilson, C. (2021). A social ecological model for military women’s health. Women’s Health Issues, 31-S1, S11-S21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2020.12.006
• Wilson, C., Phillips, A.K., Iobst, S., Meyers, E., Trego, L., Allard, R., Landoll, R. (2021). A scoping review of unintended pregnancy in active duty United States military women. Women’s Health Issues, 31-S1, S66-S80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2020.11.006
• Bajjani-Gebara, J., Wilcox, S.L., Williams, J., Kosinski, A., Allard, R., Wilson, C., &s; Landoll, R. (2021). Adjustment disorders in U.S. Active Duty military women: A scoping review for years 2000-2018. Women’s Health Issues, 31-S1, S33-S42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2020.12.003 
• Braun, L.A., Kostas-Polston, E.A., Miedema, J., Hoffecker, L., &s; Wilson, C. (2021). A scoping review of cervical cancer risk factors, prevention, diagnosis and treatment in U.S. Active Duty military women. Women’s Health Issues, 31-S1, S53-S65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2021.04.003 
• Phillips, A.K. & Wilson, C. (2021). Menstrual practices in operational military women. Military Medicine, 186(Supplement 1), 767-774. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa345
• Talbot, L.A., Wilson, C., Nayback-Beebe, A., Metter, E.J., Hatzfeld, J. (2020). Nursing’s role in preventing and managing back pain in military members: Proceedings of the first back pain summit. Military Medicine, 185(supplement). 43-49. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usz238 
• Ansa, B.E., Sullivan, K., Krengel, M.H., Heboyan, V., Wilson, C., Iobst, S., &s; Coughlin, S.S. (2020). The Gulf War women’s health cohort: study design and protocol. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2423. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072423

Honors/Awards

• 2023 Defense Superior Service Medal
• 2021 Scientific Mentorship Award, TriService Nursing Research Program
• 2021 Outstanding Military PhD Faculty, Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing (GSN), Unformed Services University
• 2021 Fellowship in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• 2019 GSN Investigator Award, Dean’s Choice, Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University
• 2018 Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing
• 2017 Meritorious Service Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2016 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research, Air Force District of Washington
• 2015 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research, Air Force District of Washington
• 2013 Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2012 Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2010 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research, Air Education and Training Command
• 2010 Joint Service Commendation Medal
• 2010 Army Achievement Medal
• 2010 Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• 2008 Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) Reviewer of the Year
• 2008 Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2007 Field Grade Nurse of the Quarter, 10th Medical Group, USAF Academy, Colorado
• 2003 Meritorious Service Medal
• 2002 Advanced Nurse Practitioner of the Year, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command
• 2002 Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, MS
• 2000 First Place Poster Presentation in the Allied Health Division in the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center
• 2000 Heins/Laning Leadership Award, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• 1998 Air Force Commendation Medal
• 1995 Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster
• 1995 Clinical Nurse of the Year, 96th Medical Group, Eglin Air Force Base, FL
• 1993 Air Force Achievement Medal