Sharon Utz, PhD, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing, Emerita

Sharon Utz, PhD, RN, is a nurse scientist and educator with a special focus on the care of those with chronic illness, particularly those with type 2  diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Her initial practice in nursing was in coronary care, and subsequently as a Clinical Nurse Specialist directing an in-hospital and out-patient cardiac rehabilitation program. While practicing in cardiac rehabilitation, she held a joint appointment with a school of nursing combining practice and teaching. Subsequently she became a full time faculty member and obtained a PhD in order to pursue her interests in clinical research as well as teaching. Dr. Utz's current program of research focuses on testing interventions to enhance diabetes self-management, using a culturally-tailored approach with rural African Americans who are at high risk for the complications of diabetes. She was Principal Investigator for two NIH-funded projects conducted in rural central Virginia to describe the needs of adult African Americans with type 2 diabetes, and then to test a culturally-tailored approach to diabetes self-management education. She is currently Co-Principal Investigator with Ishan Williams of an NIH-funded intervention study using story-telling to complement a problem-solving approach to diabetes self-mangement. Prior research was conducted among hospitalized patients with cardiovascular conditions to identify factors associated with successful self-management of chronic illness. She has published over 75 abstracts, articles, book chapters and editorials reporting research results and topics such as case management, use of standardized nursing language, academic issues, etc. Dr. Utz teaches about health behavior and health promotion to graduate students in the Master's, Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD Programs at UVA.  Dr. Utz has received numerous awards for both research and teaching,including Mentor of the Year Award from the UVA Office of African American Affairs, designation as a UVA Shannon Scholar, two Citation Papers by the Biofeedback Society of America, the Lanford Award for Research In Chronic Illness, designation as the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Scholar by the American Nurses' Foundation, the Prism Award for Excellence in Teaching at Medical College of Ohio, as well as other awards.

• NIH BioSketch

Research Focus

Health Behavior in Chronic Illness, Interventions to Promote Self-Care for Chronic Illness, Cultural Tailoring of Care, Promoting Diabetes Self-Management among Rural African Americans, Story-Telling as an Learning Tool for Self-Care

Clinical Focus

Diabetes Care and Cardiovascular Nursing in Out-Patient Settings

Teaching Focus

Health Behavior/Health Promotion in Chronic Illness, Research Proposal Development, Leadership and Professional Transition for RN/BSN Nurses

Publications

Journal Articles

Clark, M. L., & Utz, S.W. (2011). Use of diabetes self-management instruments with rural African American populations. Southern Online Journal of Nursing Research, 11(1), Retrieved from http://www.resourcenter.net/images/SNRS/Files/SOJNR_articles2/Vol11Num01Art10.html.

Williams, I. C., Utz, S. W., Jones, R., Hinton, I., Steeves, R., & Alexander, G. (2011). Recruitment of rural African Americans for research projects: Lessons learned. Southern Online Journal of Nursing Research, 11(1), Retrieved from http://www.resourcenter.net/images/SNRS/Files/SOJNR_articles2/Vol11Num01Art08.html.

Bowser, D., Utz, S., Glick, D. F., & Harmon, R. (2010). A systematic review of the relationship ofdiabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low-income, uninsured population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(5), 317-329.

Bowser, D., Utz, S., Glick, D. & Harmon, R. (2010). A Systematic Review of the Relationship of Diabetes Melltus, Depression, and Missed Appointments in a Low-income Uninsured Population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(5), 317-329.

Strang, S., Bagnardi, M., Utz, S.W. (2010). Tailoring a diabetes nursing elective to millennial students. Journal of Nursing Education online, , .

Bowser, D. M., Utz, S.W., Glick, D., Harmon, R., & Rovnyak, V. (2009). The relationship between diabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low-income uninsured population. The Diabetes Educator, 35(6), 966-977.

Bowser, D. M., Utz, S., Glick, D., Harmon, R.B., Rovnyak, V. (2009). The relationship betweendiabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low income, uninsured population. Diabetes Educator, 35, 966-977.

Utz,S. W. (2009). Commentary: a faculty perspective on faculty workload. Nursing outlook, 57(1), 63-64.

Rose, K.M., Taylor, A.G., Bourguignon, C., Utz, S.W., Goehler, L. (2009). Cranial electrical stimulation: Potential use in reducing sleep and mood disturbances in persons with dementia and their family caregivers. Alzheimer's Care Today, 10(2), 108-114.

Utz, S.W., Williams, I.C., Jones, R., Hinton, I., Alexander, G., Yan. G., Moore, C., Blankenship, J., Steeves, R. & Oliver, M.N. (2008). Culturally-tailored intervention for rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Educator, 34(5), 854-865.

Utz,S. W. (2008). Book review: Everyday guide to managing your medicines. Family & community health, 31(4), 349-350.

Utz,S. W. (2008). Book review: The medicare part D drug program making the most of the benefit. Family & community health, 31(4), 350-351.

Utz,S. W. (2008). Diabetes care among rural Americans. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 26, 3-39.

Utz,S. W. (2008). Media review: In control: living a healthy life with diabetes. Family & community health, 31(4), 348-349.

Alexander, G.K., Utz, S.W., Hinton, I., Williams, I., & Jones, R. (2008). Culture brokerage strategies in diabetes education. Public Health Nursing, 25(5), 461-470.

Jallo,N.,Bourguignon,C.,Taylor,A. G.,Utz,S. W. (2008). Stress management during pregnancy: designing and evaluating a mind-body intervention.. Family & community health, 31(3), 190-203.

Rose,K. M.,Taylor,A. G.,Bourguignon,C.,Utz,S. W.,Goehler,L. E. (2008). Cranial electrical stimulation: potential use in reducing sleep and mood disturbances in persons with dementia and their family caregivers. Family & community health, 31(3), 240-246.

Utz,S. W.,Williams,I. C.,Jones,R.,Hinton,I.,Alexander,G.,Yan,G.,Moore,C.,Blankenship,J.,Steeves,R.,Oliver,M. N. (2008). Culturally tailored intervention for rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes educator, 34(5), 854-865.

Jablonski,R. A.,Utz,S. W.,Steeves,R.,Gray,D. P. (2007). Decisions about transfer from nursing home to emergency department.. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 39(3), 266-272.

Utz,S. W. (2007). Book Review: Beating diabetes: lower your blood sugar, lose weight, and stop diabetes and its complications in their tracks. Family & community health, 30(4), 366-367.

Utz,S. W. (2006). Book review: Nursing-sensitive outcomes state of the science. Family & community health, 29(2), 158.

Jones,R. A.,Utz,S.,Wenzel,J.,Steeves,R.,Hinton,I.,Andrews,D.,Murphy,A.,Oliver,N. (2006). Use of complementary and alternative therapies by rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 12(5), 34-38.

Wenzel,J.,Utz,S. W.,Steeves,R. H.,Hinton,I.,Jones,R. A. (2006). Stories of diagnosis from rural Blacks with diabetes. Family & community health, 29(3), 206-213.

Utz,S. W.,Steeves,R. H.,Wenzel,J.,Hinton,I.,Jones,R. A.,Andrews,D.,Muphy,A.,Oliver,M. N. (2006). Working hard with it: self-management of type 2 diabetes by rural African Americans. Family & community health, 29(3), 195-205.

Utz, S.W., Steeves, R.H., Wenzel, J., Hinton, I., Jones, R.A., Andrews, D., Murphy, A., & Oliver, M.N. (2006). "Working hard with it": self-management of type 2 diabetes by rural African Americans. Family and Community Health, 29(3), 195-205. PMID/16775470.

Wenzel,J.,Utz,S. W.,Steeves,R.,Hinton,I.,Jones,R. A. (2005). "Plenty of sickness": descriptions by African Americans living in rural areas with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes educator, 31(1), 98-107.

Wenzel,J., Utz, S. W.,Steeves, R., Hinton, I., Jones, R. A. (2005). "Plenty of sickness": descriptions by African Americans living in rural areas with type 2 diabetes.. Diabetes Educator, 31(1), 98-107.

Wenzel, J., Utz, S.W., Steeves, R., Hinton, I., & Jones, R.A. (2005). "Plenty of sickness": descriptions by African Americans living in rural areas with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Educator, 31(1), 98-107. PMID./ 15779251.

Utz,S. W. (2005). Media Review: Diabetes prevention materials. Family & community health, 28(1), 98-100.

Utz, S., Wenzel, J., Hinton, I., Jones, R. & Steeves, R. (2004). "Plenty of sickness": barriers and facilitators to self-management in rural African Americans with diabetes. Virginia Nurse Today, 11(4), 1-20.

Utz,S. W.,Padgett,L.,Blank,M.,G�arini,J.,Morton,S.,Wilson,L.,Simmons,W. (2001). Comparisons of specific illness beliefs of rural and urban blacks and whites. Southern Online Journal of Nursing Research, 2(7), 25p.

Kulbok,P. A.,Utz,S. W. (1999). Managing care: knowledge and educational strategies for professional development. Family & community health, 22(3), 1-11.

Utz,S. W.,Kulbok,P. A. (1999). Foreword. Family & community health, 22(3), viii.

Utz,S. W. (1998). Computerized documentation of case management: From diagnosis to outcomes. Nursing Case Management, 3(6), 247-254.

Keeling,A.,Utz,S. W.,Shuster,G. F.,Boyle,A. (1993). Noncompliance revisited: a disciplinary perspective of a nursing diagnosis.. Nursing Diagnosis, 4(3), 91-98.

Utz,S. W. (1990). Motivating self-care: a nursing approach.. Holistic nursing practice, 4(2), 13-21.

Book Sections

Utz,S.,Kulbok,P. A. (2007). Professional Nursing Roles. In Creasia,J., Parker,B. (Ed.), Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (pp. ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc.

Utz, S. W. & Kulbok, P. (2007). Professional nursing roles: Focus on case management. In J. Creasia & B. Parker (Eds.), Conceptual foundations: The bridge to professional nursing practice (pp. ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier

McGrady,A.,Utz,S. (2004). Diabetes: Behavioral treatment. In Anderson,N. B. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of health and behavior (pp. 241-245). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Utz,S. W. (2002). Caring for the person with a chronic condition(1st). In Moss,D., Wickramsekera,I., Davies,T.,McGrady,A. (Ed.), Handbook of body-mind medicine for primary care: behavioral and physiological tools (pp. ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

Utz,S.,& Kulbok,P. A. (2001). Case management: The nursing role. In Creasia,J., Parker,B. (Ed.), Conceptual Foundations" The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice (pp. ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book, Inc.

Utz,S.,& Kulbok,P. A. (1999). Managing care through advanced nursing practice(1st). In Lancaster,J., Lancaster,W. (Ed.), Concepts of advanced nursing practice: The nurse as a change agent (pp. ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book, Inc.

Utz,S. W. (1998). Orem's self-care theory. In Fitzpatrick,J. J. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of nursing research (pp. 401-402). New York: Springer

Utz,S.,Ramos,M. (1994). Mitral valve prolapse and its effects: a program of inquiry(1st). In Smith,J. (Ed.), Advanced Nursing: Models, Concepts, and Theories (pp. ). Oxford: Blackwell Publications Limited

Awards & Honors

• Mentor of the Year, University of Virginia Office of African American Affairs (2000)
• Shannon Scholar Research Fellowship, University of Virginia (1997)
• Lanford Award for Research in Chronic Illness, University of Virginia School of Nursing (1996)
• Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Scholar Research Award, American Nurses' Foundation (1986)
• Prism Award for Excellence in Teaching Graduate Students, Medical College of Ohio School of Nursing (1986 & 1982)
• Outstanding Research Endeavors Award, Zeta Theta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International (1984)
• Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honorary Society, University of Toledo and Phi Kappa Phi (1983)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, University of Michigan and Sigma Theta Tau International (1978)
• Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society , University of Toledo (1969)
• Chapter Service Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Kappa Chapter, 1998

Current Funded Grants

• Co-Principal Investigator. "Diabetes Self-Management for Bahamians: Understanding, Intervening and Evaluating." Funded by the University of Virginia Vice Provost for Research and School of Nursing Global Rural Health Research Faculty Scholars Awards.(2010)
• 
  Co-Principal Investigator. "Stories of Success: Enhancing Diabetes Self-Care for Rural African Americans. R-34 NIH/NIDDK.(9/1/09-8/30/11)
• Rural Health Care Research Center
  Principal Investigator, "Testing a Group Intervention for Managing Diabetes with Rural African Americans". Funded by NIH/NINR, P-20 Pilot Study.(2005-2006 )
• Rural Health Care Research Center
  Principal Investigator, "Self-Management of Diabetes by Rural African Americans". R-15 funded by NIH/NINR.(2004-2005)
• 
  Principal Investigator, "Specific Illness Beliefs and Values of Appalachians and African-Americans: A Foundation for Health Outcomes". Funded by University of Virginia Hospital and TCV Services(1997-1998)
• 
  Principal Investigator, "Changing Diet Self-Care Actions of Adults with Elevated Blood Cholesterol". Funded by University of Virginia Wellness and Fitness Center and Center for Nursing Research, University of Virginia(1991-1992)
• 
  Principal Investigator, "Evaluation of a Smoking Cessation Project". Funded by American Lung Association (Blue Ridge Region), Virginia Department of Health, and Center for Nursing Research, University of Virginia.(1990-1991)
• 
  Principal Investigator, "Health State and Self-Care Needs of Persons with Mitral Valve Prolapse". Funded by American Nurses Foundation.(1986-1987)

Professional Service

• Ad Hoc Member, NIH Review Panel for Healthcare Delivery and Methodologies, Nursing and Related Clinical Sciences Study Section, (2011 - Present)
• Member, Special Emphasis Panel on Translational Research for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes,, National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bethesda, MD. (2004, 2006, 2009-11)
• Member, Editorial Board, Family and Community Health (journal) (1996-present)
• Manuscript Reviewer and Textbook Reviewer, Journal of Advanced Nursing, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Case Management, Aspen Publishing, F.A. Davis Publishing (1993-present)
• Member, Nursing Task Force on Recruitment of Men and Minorities into Nursing, Virginia (Statewide) Partnership for Nursing (2001-2003)
• President, Secretary, Member Board of Directors, Research Committee, By-Laws Committee and Nominating Committee, Beta Kappa Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society (1988-2000)
• Member of Governing Board, Chair Planning Committee for 11th Annual Conference, Member of Planning Committee for 12th Annual Conference, Convenor for "Stress and Coping" Research Interest Group, State Liaison, Member of Task Force on Small Grants Funding, Southern Nursing Research Society (1990-1998)
• Chair, Ad Hoc Committee to Develop Research Funding Guidelines, International Orem Society (1994-1996)