Gail D'Ermo-Melkus, associate professor at Yale University School of Nursing, receives Virginia A. Henderson Award

Connecticut Nursing News, Jun-Aug 2003

Gail D'Ermo Melkus, a nationally recognized authority and expert in diabetes nursing care and research, was recently awarded the Connecticut Nurses' Association's Virginia A. Henderson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Research.

Throughout her career, Melkus has cared for persons with type 2 diabetes, taught others to provide care and directed research aimed at helping persons with diabetes to participate in their management of the disease. As she cared for people with diabetes, she recognized that care providers need specialized knowledge. This led to development of a program of study at Yale School of Nursing called the Diabetes Concentration, which provides clinical and research-based experiences for master's students across all specialty areas at Yale. The program was the first of this type in the United States.

Melkus recently assumed the role of director of the Pilot Development Core at Yale-Howard Exploratory Center to Eliminate Health Disparities. Her responsibilities include working with young investigators to develop successful pilot studies to be funded by the Center. Her nominator indicated "she was selected for this position because of her expertise in research design and implementation and her acknowledged expertise in research with diverse populations."

Melkus' successes include a significant record of obtaining funds for research/grant awards and training grants, serving as a grant reviewer for numerous groups, including Connecticut's Donaghue Foundation Grants. She is also credited with developing, implementing and/or evaluating educational programs of study at Yale's School of Nursing and the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) Inc.

Melkus has made numerous presentations addressing diabetes care and research in many settings, including conferences, schools and universities and the American Diabetes Association functions. She has been a consultant for educational curriculum at several institutions, a research consultant and an advisory panel member/consultant to various medical centers and major pharmaceutical companies. She also has published extensively and has functioned as editor and manuscript reviewer for numerous prestigious publications.

Melkus received an ASN/BS from the University of Bridgeport (nursing), an MS from Southern Connecticut State University (community health/education), and had special student status at Yale School of Public Health (Columbia University doctoral candidate). She received her EdD from Columbia University Teachers College's, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (health education/public health). Melkus is also certified as a diabetes educator and adult nurse practitioner. Her postgraduate education included the Family Nurse Practitioner Advanced Graduate Studies Program at Pace University School of Nursing, and Yale University School of Nursing Primary Care Adult Nurse Practitioner Program.

Melkus is a member of the ANA, AANP, ADA (professional section), Connecticut Diabetes Association (professional section), National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Faculties and Sigma Theta Tau, Delta Mu. She is an active member in the American Diabetes Association and other professional boards, including chair of the National Certification Board for Diabetes Education (1993-1997), overseeing all aspects of the process of diabetes education certification.

The Henderson Award recognizes contributions and innovations in nursing research, which may include but are limited to, the areas of nursing theory, applied clinical research, and related field such as nursing history, medical anthropology, public health and health care economics.