Dr. Susana J Calderon PhD, RN
Associate Professor
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Selected Research
Biography
Dr. Susana Calderon is an Associate Professor at Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University. Dr. Calderon holds a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from Millikin University and a doctorate in nursing from Illinois State University. She conducted her postdoctorate on children's oral health, focusing on oral microbiology and caries prevention at the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry, Iowa Institute of Oral Health Research. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr. Calderon is recognized for her research focused on children's oral health—particularly using early social media and dietary intervention to shape children's oral microbiome to reduce the risk for dental caries and obesity—and her mentorship to undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
Current Courses
NUR 327.005 Leadership Dimensions Of Nursing Clinicals
NUR 526.003 Residency In Research
Teaching Interests & Areas
Dr. Calderon teaches the clinical portions of Nursing Care for Children, Public Health Nursing, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, as well as research residency and independent courses.
Research Interests & Areas
My research interests are in the area of children and adult oral health and oral microbiome, particularly in caries and obesity prevention.
Post-Doc
University of Iowa, Iowa Institute of Oral Health Research
Iowa City, Iowa
Ph D Nursing
Illinois State University
Other
Unites States Air Force
MSN Nursing
Millikin University
BSN Nursing
Millikin University
Arts
Richland Community College
BBA
Universidad Latino Americana
Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Institute Fellow
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
2025
Kathleen A. Hogan Teaching Excellence Award - Finalist
Mennonite College of Nursing
2025
Outstanding College Researcher Award
Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing
2025
IBHE Nurse Educator Fellowship
Illinois Board of Higher Education
2024
Interdisciplinary Civic Engagement Award
Illinois State University
2022
PRIDE-CVD
SUNNY Downstate Health Science University
2022
AADR Mind of the Future Award
American Association of Dental Research
2021
Research Initiative Award
Provost, Illinois State University
2021
RISE to the COVID Challenge Recognition
2021
Early Career Research Award
Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing
2020
Associate Member
National Institute of Nursing Research Center for Advancing Multimorbidity Science (CAMS)
2019
Bell Ringer 2018
Illinois State Univeristy
2018
Nursing Education Scholarship
Illinois Department of Public Health
2015
Dissertation Completion Grant
Illinois State University
2014
Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholar
2012
Workforce Investment Solutions of Macon-DeWitt County Award
State of Illinois
2008
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)/Lilly Endowment Inc. Scholar
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
2003
James Millikin Theory and Practice of Nursing Award
Millikin University
2002
Grants and Contracts
At-Home Falls Risk Assessment for Older Adults: A Public Health Team Collaboration
Susana Calderon, Catalina Ford.
Mennonite College of Nursing. June 5 2025 - December 31 2025
Effects of digital health literacy on diabetes knowledge among older adults in the United States: Cross-sectional study
Jung Eun Kim, Susana Calderon, MyoungJin Kim.
Sigma Xi Pi chapter. January 1 2024 - January 30 2024
Feasibility of Children yogurt intervention and oral and gut microbiomes
Susana Calderon.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). September 22 2022 - December 31 2023
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Related to Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptoms and Perceived Acute Coronary Syndrome Risk in Spanish-Speaking and English-Speaking Hispanic and Latinx Individuals in the United States
John Blakeman, Susana Calderon, Susan Watkins, MyoungJin Kim, Marilyn Prasun.
University Research Grant. 2021 - June 2022
A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescence Oral Health
Susana Calderon.
Proctor and Gamble Company. June 17 2019 - December 31 2019
National Institute of Health T90 training grant 2019-2020
Susana Calderon.
University of Iowa. January 1 2019 - December 31 2020
Children Oral Symptoms: A feasibility Study of the Beneficial Role of the Oral Microbiota
Susana Calderon, Seon-Yoon Chung.
Sigma Theta Tau International Research Grant Opportunities. June 01 2018 - May 31 2019
Mennonite College of Nursing Internal Research Grant
Susana Calderon, Seon-Yoon Chung.
Mennonite College of Nursing. March 1 2018 - March 1 2019
Summer Research Fellowship
Susana Calderon.
Illinois State University - Mennonite College of Nursing. May 2018 - August 2018
Educational Diversity Enhancement Program
Susana Calderon.
Office of the Provost. September 15 2017 - 2018
New Faculty Start-Up Support Award
Susana Calderon.
Research and Sponsored. October 11 2017 - September 15 2019
Discovering Adolescents’ Oral Health Behaviors, Dissertation Completion Grant
Susana Calderon.
Graduate School. 2014 - 2016
Abstract
Implementing the Mediterranean Diet App in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.
Y Su, Marilyn A. Prasun, L. Cash, A. Kocheril, Susana Calderon, O. Zaslavsky.
(2025)
Conference Proceeding
Internet of Things and Smart Technologies in Oral Health: A Systematic Mapping Study
Susana Calderon, Stephen Mujeye.
International Institute for Applied Knowledge Management, 12
Journal Article
Describing acute coronary syndrome symptom information on social media platforms
John Blakeman, Nathan Carpenter, Susana Calderon.
Heart & Lung, (2025)
Digital Health Literacy on Diabetes Knowledge Among Older Adults in the United States
Jung Eun Kim, Susana Calderon, MyoungJin Kim.
Journal of Community Health Nursing, 1-15, (2025), https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2025.2593395
Internet of Things and Smart Technologies in Oral Health: Trends, Impacts, and Challenges
Susana Calderon, Stephen Mujeye, Melissa Calvillo.
Oral MDPI, (2025), https://doi.org/10.3390/oral5010018
Prioritization Among School Nurses: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Melissa Calvillo, Susana Calderon, Maureen Rabbitte, Cherrill Stockmann, Sheryl Jenkins.
Journal of School Nursing, (2025), https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405251371765
A cross-sectional study of Hispanic and Latina/o/x/e individuals’ acute coronary syndrome symptom knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs
John Blakeman, Susana Calderon, Susan Watkins, MyoungJin Kim, Kate Peterson, Marilyn Prasun.
Heart & Lung, (2024)
A Proposal on How to Use Blockchain to Secure Communications in 5G Ecosystem
Stephen Mujeye, Jihad Qaddour, Sameeh Ullah, Susana Calderon, Robert Rhykerd, Fanson Kidwaro, Charles Edamala.
International Journal of Future Computer and Communication, 12 (1), 5, (2023), 10.18178/ijfcc.2023.12.1.597
A Social Media Intervention for Promoting Oral Health Behaviors in Adolescents: A Non-Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
Susana Calderon, Carissa Comnick, Alyssa Willhurnt, Theresa Marshall, Jan Dahl, Jeffrey Banas, David Drake.
Oral MDPI, (2023), 10.3390/oral3020018
Compassionate interprofessional and interagency community: palliative care
Susana Calderon, Renata Cristina Silva, Marileise Roberta Antoneli Fonseca, Vanessa Aparecida Vilas-Boas, Maira Misko, Thalyta Cristina Monsano-Schlosser.
Hospice & Palliative Medicine International Journal, 6 (3), 81-82, (2023), DOI: 10.15406/hpmij.2023.06.00221
The Translational Science Conundrum for Junior Investigators
Susana Calderon, Stephani Momeni, Modupe Coker.
JDR Clinical & Translational Research, (2023), https://doi.org/10.1177/23800844231151611
Innovation Strategies With Emergency Applications : A Systematic Review
Claudia Jessica Silva Ferreira, Susana J. Calderon, Patricia de Peres Oliveira, Vanessa Faria Cortes, Maria Alice Aparecida Resende, Claudia Martins da Costa, Thalyta Claudia Mansano Schlosser.
Research Society & Development, 11 (1), 1-8, (2022), 10.33448
Children tooth brushing behavior and oral microbiota: A pilot study
Susana Calderon, Seon-Yoon Chung, Christopher Field, Montimer Nathan.
MPI Oral, (1), 112-221, (2021), https://doi.org/10.3390/ oral1020012
Implementation of a Standardized Oral Care Protocol to Decrease Nonventilator Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
Kristin Pritts, Cynthia Kerber, Susana Calderon, .
MEDSURG Nursing, (2020)
Look at My Pearly White Teeth: Exploring Adolescents’ Oral Health Behavior
Susana Calderon, Caroline M. Mallory.
Public Health Nursing, 36 (1), 62-69, (2019), 10.1111/phn.12569
Parental Consent and Access to Oral Health Care for Adolescents.
Susana Calderon, Caroline Mallory, Michelle Malin.
Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18 (4), 186-194, (2017), https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1527154418763115
Other
A Systematic Review of Oral Health Behavior Research in American Adolescents
Susana Calderon, Caroline M. Mallory.
Journal of School Nursing, 30 (6), 396-403, (2015)
Presentations
Microbes and Mist: Behavioral Influences in Children Oral Microbiome
Susana Calderon.
IPHA 84th Annual Public Health Workforce Conference, Bloomington, Illinois, September 11, 2025
Acute coronary syndrome symptom information on social media: Fact or fiction?
John Blakeman, Nathan Carpenter, Susana Calderon.
28th Annual Springfield Memorial Hospital Nursing Research Conference, Springfield, IL, April, 2025
A Grounded Theory of Prioritization Among School Nurses
Melissa I Calvillo, Susana Calderon, Cherrill Stockmann, Sheryl Jenkins.
Research Symposium, Normal, IL, April 11, 2025
Exploring Children’s Oral Health Behaviors and Yogurt-Based Dietary Habits
Susana Calderon, Jennifer Barnes, Jung Eun Kim.
AADOCR General Session & Exhibition Experience, New York, NY, March 14, 2025
Vaping and College Students’ Oral Microbiome
Susana Calderon, Laura Finan, Nathan Mortimer.
VIII Congresso Internacional do Conhecimento Científico (VIII CICC) ISECENSA, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janiro, Brasil, September 18, 2024
Digital health literacy on diabetes self-care for community-dwelling older adults in the United States
Jung Eun Kim, Susana Calderon, MyoungJin Kim.
Sigma 35th International Research Congress, Online, August 6, 2024
A Cross-Sectional Study of Hispanic and Latina/o/e/x Individuals' Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptom Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs
John Blakeman, Susana Calderon, Susan Watkins, MyoungJin Kim, Kate Peterson, Marilyn Prasun.
Mennonite College of Nursing Scholarship Symposium, Online, March, 2024
Effects of digital health literacy on diabetes knowledge among older adults in the United States: Cross-sectional study
Jung Eun Kim, Susana Calderon, MyoungJin Kim.
Mennonite College of Nursing Annual Research Innovation Symposium, Normal, March 28, 2024
Prioritization and decision-making among school nurses: A scoping review
Melissa I Calvillo, Susana J Calderon.
Midwest Nursing Research Society, Des Moines, IA, March 31, 2023
Exploring Hispanic and Latina/o/x Individuals’ heart attack symptom knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs
John Blakeman, Susana Calderon, Susan Watkins, MyoungJin Kim, Marilyn Prasun.
Mennonite College of Nursing Scholarship Symposium, Online, March, 2023
Vaping and Oral Health among College Students
Susana Calderon, Laura Finan, Jan Dahl.
2023 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, March 15, 2023
A Proposal on How to Use Blockchain to Secure Communications in 5G Ecosystem
Stephen Mujeye, Jihad Qaddour, Sameeh Ullah, Susana Calderon, Robert Rhykerd, Fanson Kidwaro, Charles Edamala.
The 6th International Conference on Software Engineering and Information Management, Palmerston North, New Zealand, February 1, 2023
Collective action for school-wellness: An ecological example
Emily Jones, Andrew Eberline, Tyler Kybartas, Joseph Lee, Megan Weemer, John Christian Kostelnick, Susana Calderon, Laura Finan, Adena Meyers, Nicky Wu.
AIESEP World Congress, Gold Coast, Australia, February, 2022
What can nurses do to help improve children oral health?
Susana Calderon.
MIND of the Future Mentoring Network, Online, September 13, 2021
Improve toothbrushing in adolescents using SMS social media
Susana Calderon.
IADR/AADR/CADR General Session & Exhibition, Online - virtual, July 22, 2021
Internacionalizacao e Covid-19 - Central Illinois
Susana Calderon.
13a Semana de Enfermagen da UFSJ Mudanca, Inovacao, e Tecnologia O Futuro da Enfermagen atenca a saude, São João del Rei, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil - Virtual, May 14, 2021
A Social Media Intervention for Improving Dental Health in Adolescents: A Pilot Clinical Trial
Susana Calderon.
MNRS 45th Annual Research Conference, Iowa - Virtual, March 25, 2021
A pilot clinical trial to improve toothbrushing in adolescents using social media
Susana Calderon.
MCN Virtual Scholarship Symposium: Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Innovation, Normal, IL, March 18, 2021
An innovative text message intervention to improve dental health in adolescents and beyond
Susana Calderon, Jeffrey Banas, David Drake.
44 Annual Research Conference MNRS, Schaumburg, IL, April 3, 2020
A social media intervention for improving dental health in adolescents: A Pilot Study
Susana Calderon, Jeffrey Banas, Drake David, Xien Xi.
NIH NIDCR Trainee Research Day, Bethesda, Maryland, March 17, 2020
A social media intervention for dental health in adolescents
Susana Calderon, Jeffrey Banas, Xian Xi, Carissa Cormnick.
Iowa AADR 2020, Iowa City, Iowa, February 2, 2020
Linking Tooth Brushing Behavior in Children and Oral Microbiota
Susana Calderon, Seon-Yoon Chung.
Sigma's 45th Biennial Convention, Washington, D.C., November 23, 2019
A social media intervention strategy for improving dental health in adolescents
Susana Calderon.
Semifinalist Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Chicago, Illinois, July 10, 2019
Summer 2019 "America Promise Panama Clinical Experience"
Susana Calderon.
Universidad de Panama, Escuela de Enfermeria, Panama city, Panama, May 27, 2019
Children’s Tooth Brushing Behavior: The Beneficial Role of the Oral Microbiome
Susana Calderon.
McDowell Stafford Conference, Normal, IL, April 04, 2019