Melanie T. Turk, PhD, MSN, RN

Expertise Areas:

Dr. Turk’s research interests include health promotion and weight management for disease prevention with a focus on vulnerable populations. Her work focuses on promoting healthy lifestyle changes and reducing health disparities among ethnically-diverse communities. She has conducted qualitative and photovoice research to learn about the perceptions and practices of Nigerian immigrants regarding healthy eating and activity in the U.S. In her work with doctoral students, Dr. Turk has led global studies programs for DNP and PhD students in Rome and Palermo, Italy and Dublin, Ireland. She has presented her scholarship and research nationally and internationally at venues such as the International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education & Training in Stratford Upon Avon, United Kingdom and the Conference of the European Transcultural Nursing Association in Odense, Denmark. Dr. Turk was inducted as a Transcultural Nursing Scholar in 2021. She serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Transcultural Nursing.

Languages spoken, read/write:  English, very beginning Spanish and Italian spoken

Select Publications:

Journal Articles:

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

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

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

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

Book Chapters

Dreher, H.M., Glasgow, M.E.S., Lachman, V.D., Zoucha, R., Turk, M.T., Oldfield, S., Gifford-Hollingsworth, C., & Molloy, M. (2017). Enhancing the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree with a Mandatory Study-Abroad Experience. In M.E.S. Glasgow & H.M. Dreher (Eds.), DNP Role Development for Doctoral Advanced Nursing Practice (2^nd ed.). New York: Springer.

Present/Future Directions 

The work of Transcultural Scholars must focus on ensuring that vulnerable populations’ experiences are made known and disparities are addressed. My current and future work is aimed at uncovering the reasons why the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is not widely available to and used by older adults with prediabetes. Diabetes and prediabetes are disproportionately higher among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States and globally. Evidence-based programs such as the MDPP must be made readily available and promoted among older adults, especially individuals from disadvantaged groups.

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01/2022