Contact Information

Biography

Dr. Melanie Turk joined the School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor in August 2009. Her research interests include health promotion, weight loss, and weight loss maintenance with a focus on vulnerable populations. Dr. Turk received her BSN from Duquesne University and her MSN and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Turk's grant funding from the Aetna Foundation for "Wise Choices: Healthy Eating and Exercise for Older Adults" was a multi-site research project promoting healthy lifestyle changes in six ethnically-diverse communities of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on reducing health disparities and promoting health through weight management. She has also conducted qualitative research to learn about the perceptions and practices of Nigerian immigrants regarding healthy eating and activity in the U.S. She has numerous published manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters, and she serves as a peer reviewer for several scholarly journals and conferences.

Dr. Turk has clinical experience in neurosurgery, trauma, and urology. She currently teaches in the MSN, DNP and PhD programs. In her work with doctoral students, Dr. Turk has led global studies programs for DNP and PhD students in Rome, Italy and Dublin, Ireland.

Education

PhD, Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
MSN, Nursing Research, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
BSN, Nursing, Duquesne University, 1995

Expertise

  • Behavioral treatment of obesity
  • Weight loss and maintenance
  • Behavior change for health promotion among vulnerable populations

School

About

Grants Awarded

Henry L. Hillman Foundation Grant; Role: Nursing Liaison (PI: J. Elliot); Project: Bridges to Health - Community-based preventive health services: Dates:  January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023; Amount: $475,000.

Agency: Aetna Foundation Grant; Role: Principal Investigator; Project: Wise Choices: Nutrition and Physical Activity for Older Adults; Dates: March 1, 2014 - April 30, 2016; Amount: $35,000.

Peer-reviewed publications - last 5 years (*based on empirical data) 

*Turk, M., Ritchie, N., Jakub, K. (in press, June 2023). Stakeholder analysis: Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program awareness and implementation. American Journal of Managed Care. 

Inocian, E.P., Hill, M., Felicilda-Reynaldo, R.F.D, Kelly, S., Paragas, E.D., Turk, M.T. (2022). Factors in the clinical Learning environment that influence caring behaviors of undergraduate nursing students: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, online first, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103391 

*Payne, J., Turk, M.T., Kalarchian, M.A., Pellegrini, C. (2021). Adherence to mobile-app-based dietary self-monitoring—Impact on weight loss in adults. Obesity Science & Practice. http://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.566 

Turk, M.T. & Tremblay, B. (2021). Advocating for diabetes prevention in older adults. Nursing2021. 51(12), 48-50. DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000795284.89595.1f 

Kallmerten, P.S., Chia, R.L., Jakub, K., Turk, M.T., (2021). Patient portal use by adults with heart failure: An integrative review. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, Epub ahead of print 29 Mar 2021, doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000733 

*Kiraly, C.M., Turk, M.T., Kalarchian, M.A., Shaffer, C. (2021). Exploring factors linked to weight status in Salvadoran infants. Hispanic Healthcare International, 19(2), 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540415320959593 

Fisher-Grace, K., Turk, M.T., Anthony, M., Chia, R. (2021). Use of personal health records to support diabetes self-management: An integrative review. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 39(6), 298-305. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000682 

Tremblay, B., Turk, M., Cooper, M., Zoucha, R. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of young adults about electronic nicotine delivery systems in the United States: An integrative review. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Epub ahead of print 30 July 2020, doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000731 

Confiac, N., Turk, M., Zoucha, R. & McFarland, M. (2019). Mexican American parental knowledge and perceptions of childhood obesity: An integrative review. Hispanic Health Care International, 18(2), 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540415319873400  

Turk, M.T., Kalarchian, M.A., Nolfi, D.A., Fapohunda, A. (2019). Prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity among African immigrant populations: A systematic review of the literature. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 37, 161-186. doi: 10.1891/0739-6686.37.1.161 

Payne, J., Turk, M.T., Kalarchian, M.A., Pellegrini, C. (2018). Defining adherence to dietary self-monitoring using a mobile app: A narrative review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(11), 2094-2119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.05.011 

*Jakub, K.E., Turk, M.T., Fapohunda, A., Zoucha, R. (2018). Cultural beliefs, perceptions, and practices of young adult offspring of African immigrants regarding healthy eating and activity. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 29(6), 548-554. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659618761532 

*Turk, M.T. & Colbert, A.M. (2018). Using simulation to help beginning nursing students learn about the experience of poverty: A descriptive study. Nurse Education Today, 71, 174-179. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2018.09.035 

*Rapchak, M., Nolfi, D.A., Turk, M.T., Marra, L., & O’Neil, C.K. (2018). Implementing an interprofessional information literacy course: Impact on student learning and attitudes. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 106(4), doi: dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2018.455  

Ea, E.E., Colbert, A., Turk, M., Dickson, V. (2018). An overview of hypertension among Filipino immigrants in the United States: Implications for research, practice, and health policy. Journal of Nursing Practice Applications & Reviews of Research, 8(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2018.0801.0806 

*Ea, E.E., Colbert, A.C., Turk, M., Dickson, V. (2018). Self-care among Filipinos in the United States who have hypertension. Applied Nursing Research, 39, 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2017.11.002 

 

Books - Last 5 years

Schreiber, J. & Turk, M.T. (2023). Statistics and Data Analysis Literacy for Nurses. New York: Springer.

 

Book Chapters - Last 5 Years

Turk, M.T., Dreher, H.M., Zoucha, R. Evatt, M., Kalarchian, M.A. (2023). Enhancing the Role of a Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate: Two Models for Global Studies Experience. In H.M. Dreher, M.E.S. Glasgow, M. Dahnke, & V.T. Cotter (Eds.), DNP Role Development for Doctoral Advanced Nursing Practice (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

 

Scholarly Presentations - Last 5 Years

Spigelmyer, P. & Turk, M. (March, 2023). Ethical Considerations Surrounding Early COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution to Older Adults in the U.S. (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the 2023 Carol Carfang Nursing & Healthcare Ethics Conference, Clearwater, FL.

Turk, M., Ritchie, N., Jakub, K. (December, 2022). A Stakeholder Analysis of Awareness and Implementation of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program in the United States. (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes Congress 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Confiac, N. Turk, M.T., Zoucha, R. McFarland, M. (November, 2022). Mexican Heritage Parents’ Cultural Beliefs about Healthy and Unhealthy Weight in Children 2 to 11 Years of Age (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the 48th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Louisville, Kentucky.

Cuellar, N.G., Ludwig-Beymer, P., Serafica, R., Turk, M.T., Zoucha, R. (November, 2022). Journal of Transcultural Nursing Editor Panel: Tips to Promote You as a Peer Reviewer. Panel presentation at the 48th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Louisville, KY.

Hintz, C. & Turk, M.T. (October, 2022). Law Enforcement Officers as Faces of Social Isolation in the U.S. (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the 12th annual McGinley-Rice Symposium: The Face of the Person who is Socially Isolated, Pittsburgh, PA. (accepted but not presented).

Turk, M. (September, 2022). Engaging Communities in Diabetes Prevention: Implementing and Sustaining the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Invited podium presentation at the Fritzky Family Integrative Health Summit, Pittsburgh, PA.  

Cuellar, N.G., Ludwig-Beymer, P., Zoucha, R., Turk, M.T., Serafica, R., Buser, J., Nielson, D. (October, 2021). Journal of Transcultural Nursing Editor Panel: Topics of Priorities during a Time of Turbulence. Panel presentation at the 47th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Albuquerque, NM.

Turk, M.T., Zoucha, R. (October, 2021). Global Studies in the Time of Covid-19: Thinking Beyond the Usual to the Virtual Unusual. (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the 47th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Albuquerque, NM.

Colbert, A.M., Turk, M.T. (October, 2021). Teaching Students in Healthcare Professions about the Impact of Poverty on Health (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the 12th annual McGinley-Rice Symposium: The Face of the Person who is Poor, Pittsburgh, PA.

Tremblay, B., Turk, M.T., Zoucha, R., Cooper, M. (October, 2021). Exploring and Understanding the Culture of Young Adults who Vape: A Focused Ethnography (Competitive Review). Poster presented at the 47th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Albuquerque, NM.

Cuellar, N.G., Ludwig-Beymer, P., Ehrmin, J.T., Eschiti, V.S., Fitzgerald, E.A., Nielson, D., Serafica, R., Turk, M.T., Zoucha, R. (October, 2020). Journal of Transcultural Nursing: Advice from the Editors—Best Practices for Publication. Panel presentation at the 46th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society via a virtual platform.

Kallmerten, P., Turk, M., Jakub, K., Nahm, E-S. (October, 2020). Patient Portal Use, Health Information Technology (HIT) Self-Efficacy, and Electronic Health (eHealth) Literacy in the Self-Management of Heart Failure: A Cross Sectional Study. (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the annual Region 15 symposium of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Turk, M.T. (February, 2020). Ethical Care of the Patient with Obesity Using a Values-Based Framework. (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the 2020 Carol Carfang Nursing & Healthcare Ethics Conference, Clearwater, FL.

Stein, K., Turk, M.T., Micho, M., Smith, M., Tobin, L., Harpel, C. (February, 2020). Intimate Partner Violence Program for Nurses. (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the 2020 Carol Carfang Nursing & Healthcare Ethics Conference, Clearwater, FL.

Payne, J., Turk, M., Pellegrini, C., Kalarchian, M. (March, 2020). Dietary Self-monitoring Using An App: Are Frequency, Consistency And Completeness Related To Weight Loss? (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the American Heart Association Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Conference, Phoenix, AZ.  

Kallmerten, P., Chia, R., Turk, M., Jakub, K. (March, 2020). Patient Portal Use by Adults with Heart Failure: An Integrative Review. (Competitive Review). Poster presentation at the 32nd Annual Eastern Nursing Research Society Scientific Sessions, Boston, MA.

Zoucha, R. Turk, M.T. (June, 2019). Toward a Culturally Competent Curriculum for Doctor of Nursing Practice Students via Global Studies. (Competitive Review). Podium presentation at the 6th conference of the European Transcultural Nursing Association in České Budějovice, Czech Republic.

Zoucha, R., Turk, M., Fapohunda, A. (June, 2018). Using photovoice to explore Nigerian immigrants’ eating and physical activity in the United States. At the 4th International Knowledge Exchange, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Science Building, University College Dublin. Dublin, Ireland.

2021 - Transcultural Nursing Scholar of the Transcultural Nursing Society International, Inc. 

2017 - School of Nursing Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship 

2016- 2017 - Duquesne University Gaultier Teaching Fellow 

April 2016 - Duquesne University Creative Teaching Award