Portia J. Zaire , PHD

Dr. Portia J. Zaire is a nurse scientist, leader, and experienced clinician with nearly two decades of advancing health equity, primary care innovation, and community-engaged research. She earned her PhD from The Ohio State University in 2024 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the prestigious National Clinician Scholars Program at the University of Michigan, where she led research focused on equitable cancer prevention, team-based care delivery, and health system transformation.

Dr. Zaire is an Assistant Professor in the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, Office of Research and PhD Education, where she contributes to the development of nurse scientists and leads research that strengthens preventive care delivery for medically underserved communities. Her work integrates rigorous health services research, implementation science, and policy-informed strategies to expand access to high-quality primary and preventive care.

Dr. Zaire is committed to advancing the science, mentoring future clinician leaders, and transforming healthcare delivery through innovative, equity-centered research and practice.

PhD: The Ohio State University Columbus, OH , 2024

MSN: University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, 2010

BSN: Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH, 2007

Cancer care delivery
Health services research
Team-based care
Models of care delivery
Primary care
Nursing workforce health and cancer prevention 
Quantitative and mixed methods 

07-01-2024-06-30-2026 Postdoctoral Fellow, The National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) is a rigorous, interprofessional, two-year training program that prepares nurse and physician leaders to drive health system transformation. Through intensive research, policy, and leadership training, Scholars partner with communities and health systems to design, implement, and evaluate innovative, evidence-based strategies that improve health and health care for all., University of Michigan , , Ann Arbor, MI

Academic - University Hall
Phone: 513.558.5280
zairepj@ucmail.uc.edu