As a nurse scientist in academia, my passion is both creating new knowledge for practice and sharing it with students. I enjoy helping students to move to the next level of excellence to enhance patient care and improve the health care system.
Sharon Utz, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Coordinator, RN/BSN Program
Office: McLeod 5012
Phone: (434) 924-0081
Email: swu2q@Virginia.EDU
Fax: (434) 982-1809
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. She is also the Coordinator of the RN/BSN Program and enjoys helping talented nurses to develop their professionalism and academic abilities to enhance patient care and promote excellence in clinical leadership. 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.
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
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)
Current Funded Grants
- Rural Health Care Research Center
Principal Investigator, "Testing a Group Intervention for Managing Diabetes with Rural African Americans". Finded 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) -
Co-Investigator, "Heart Attack Recovery Study". Funded by Biomedical Research Grant, Medical College of Ohio and Zeta Theta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International (1985-1988)
Professional Service
- 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)
- 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)
- Board Member, Nurse Researcher's Assembly, Ohio Nurses' Association (1977-1980)