Maria Dixon’s teaching interests are in the areas of critical care and cardiovascular disorders. She teaches in the B.S.N. program in the Department of Nursing. Her courses include Fundamentals: Nursing of the Patient/Family Theory, and Critical Care Nursing Theory, and Clinical. Dixon uses case studies, discussion seminars, patient simulations, guest panels, interactive online games, creative testing formats and the most current research literature and evidence-based practice to enhance learning in the classroom and the clinical setting.  She enjoys integrating her Christian faith with nursing to prepare students to address the suffering and needs of families in crises in the critical care setting.

Maria Dixon has an interest in various topics related to vascular disease and disorders, especially Aortic Dissection, which has resulted in various publications. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, she coordinated clinical studies with the Vascular Surgical service at the University of Chicago in several research projects including comparing Vigilon dressings to normal saline dressings in healing venous stasis ulcers, use of Nicorette gum and cessation of smoking, effects of Motrin on Gortex bypass graft patency, Selective Infusion of Streptokinase for Arterial Thrombosis and infusion of Prostaglandin for arterial ulcers. Most recently, she conducted a study in collaboration with PIH Hospital and Level three nursing students in evaluating the effect of applying 15 seconds of pressure to the injection site of subcutaneous anticoagulants Heparin or Lovenox to prevent bruising. She has authored articles in nursing and medical journals and contributed to chapters on trauma, vascular nursing and critical care.