Gail D'Eramo Melkus

Faculty

Gail D'Eramo Melkus headshot

Gail D'Eramo Melkus

EdD ANP FAAN

Professor Emerita

1 212 998 5356

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Gail D’Eramo Melkus, EdD, ANP, FAAN, is Professor Emerita and the former vice dean for research and the Florence and William Downs Professor in Nursing Research at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Prof. Melkus’ sustained interest in eliminating health disparities among vulnerable populations earned her a reputation as a leader in the development and testing of culturally competent models of diabetes care. Her program of intervention research that focuses on physiological and behavioral outcomes of self-management interventions has served as an education and training ground for numerous multidisciplinary scientists. 

Melkus currently serves as co-PI and co-investigator or research mentor on numerous funded projects specific to biobehavioral interventions for prevention and management of chronic conditions and related co-morbidities, in mid-life and older adults, including national and international work. Melkus serves as sponsor of K-awards focused on health disparities among vulnerable populations (women with T2D and depression; elderly Blacks at-risk for depression, glycemic control and infection in oncology stem cell recipients, CHD in older adult workers, HIV in adolescents). She is PI for the NINR P20 Center for Precision Health in Diverse Populations.

Before joining the faculty at NYU Meyers, Melkus was the Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing at the Yale University School of Nursing, where, in collaboration with the Diabetes Research Center of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in NY, she developed and implemented the Diabetes Care Specialty for advanced practice nurses. 

MS, Yale University
EdD, Columbia University
MS, Connecticut State University
ASN/BS in Nursing, University of Bridgeport

Adult Health
Immigrants
Non-communicable disease
Primary care
Women's health

American Academy of Nursing
American Diabetes Association
Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science
CT Nursing Association
Eastern Nursing Research Society
Society for Behavioral Medicine

Eastern Nursing Research Award (2020)
International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, Sigma Theta Tau (2015)
STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductee (2015)
Faculty Scholar Appointment, Universita' Tor Vergata (2014)
Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Bridgeport (2014)
Affiliated Faculty Appointment, University of Georgia (2014)
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2014)
Advisory Committee Member, Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage (2013)
1st annual Distinguished Mentor Award, NYU Clinical Translational Science Institute (2011)
Distinguished Scholar Award, New York University College of Nursing (2010)
Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award, New York State Nurse Foundation (2009)
Endowed Chair, New York University (2008)
Endowed Chair of the Independence Foundation, Yale University (2004)
Excellence in Nursing Research Award, Diamond Jubilee Virginia Henderson (2003)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2003)

Weight reduction interventions for persons with a chronic illness : Findings and factors for consideration

Melkus, G. D., D'Eramo-Melkus, G., & Hagan, J. A. (1991). (Vols. 91, Issues 9, pp. 1093-1096+1099).
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Obesity in persons with a concomitant chronic illness poses complex issues relating to the choice of appropriate interventions. More recent emphasis on modification of risk factors has resulted in the need to prescribe complex therapeutic regimens with multiple treatment goals. The traditional approach to weight reduction in such persons has been nutrition education. Studies have shown, however, that knowledge alone does not translate into self-care behaviors that in turn result in weight loss and weight maintenance. Although the latter outcomes continue to be primary goals of therapy in obese individuals with a chronic illness, improvement in the physiologic parameters associated with the illness is also a desired outcome. Behavior therapy and group support appear to be enabling factors that go beyond knowledge to facilitate behavior change and subsequent changes in health-related indexes. This article describes various approaches to the problem of combined interventions for patient education and weight reduction. Findings and factors are discussed about whether the primary goal of weight reduction interventions for persons with a chronic illness should focus on pounds lost or improvement in metabolic or physiologic status.

Relationship of insulin secretion and glycemic response to dietary intervention in non-insulin-dependent diabetes

Melkus, G. D., Lomasky, S. J., D'Eramo, G., Shamoon, H., & Fleischer, N. (1990). (Vols. 150, Issue 1, pp. 169-172). 10.1001/archinte.150.1.169
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Forty-two obese subjects with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus had their plasma insulin, C peptide, and glucose levels measured after an overnight fast and in response to a 75-g oral glucose loading. Subjects were then prospectively followed up with dietary treatment, and the same measurements were repeated at 1 year. Although insulin values tended to be lower with greater fasting hyperglycemia at baseline, no correlation was observed among three parameters. However, near-normalization of glycemia (measured as the level of hemoglobin A1) was associated with significantly higher fasting and stimulated plasma insulin concentrations. Sixteen subjects were matched to each other for equivalent baseline hyperglycemia (by glycosylated hemoglobin) and divided into group 1 (normalization of the hemoglobin A, value to 7.0% ± 0.3% [mean ± SE] and group 2 (persistent hyperglycemia) (hemoglobin A1, value, 10.7% ± 0.7% [mean ± SE]). Before dietary therapy, the plasma insulin concentrations were twofold to threefold higher in group 1, and despite similar degrees of weight loss, group 2 failed to demonstrate improved glycemia. We concluded that the outcome of diet therapy for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is dependent on the duration of diabetes and endogenous insulin secretory reserve. There is a subgroup of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in whom delayed dietary intervention may have a beneficial effect.

RELATIONSHIP OF INSULIN-SECRETION AND GLYCEMIC RESPONSE TO DIETARY INTERVENTION IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS

Melkus, G. D., LOMASKY, S., D'Eramo, G., SHAMOON, H., & FLEISCHER, N. (1990). (Vols. 150, Issue 1, pp. 169-172).
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Delivery of diabetes care to low income patients : Assessment of federally funded program

Melkus, G. D., Wylie-Rosett, J., Engel, S., Eramo, G., & Mazze, R. (1989). (Vols. 15, Issues 4, pp. 366-369).
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Patient Perceptions of Diabetes Treatment Goals

Melkus, G. D., D'Eramo-Melkus, G. A., & Demas, P. (1989). (Vols. 15, Issues 5, pp. 440-443). 10.1177/014572178901500514
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The current treatment of type II noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and obesity involves complex regimens for weight reduction and improvement in metabolic control that necessitate active partici pation by the patient in estab lishing treatment goals and strategies. However, well-documented rates of nonad herence suggest that weaknesses may exist in patient-provider communications that preclude such patient participation. This study examines patient percep tions of diabetes treatment goals as established with their health care providers. Fifty-four individuals with type II NIDDM and obesity were surveyed. To determine the degree of congruence between patient and health care provider, the physi cians of study participants were also surveyed. A 53 % discrepancy rate was found to exist in the area of overall treatment goals. In addition, a 57% and 43 % rate of discrepancy was found for the specific goals of weight loss and blood glucose levels, respectively. Further findings and the implica tions for practice are discussed in this paper.

Health beliefs and practices of foot care among adult diabetic individuals

Melkus, G. D., D'Eramo, G., & Fain, J. (1988). (Vols. 7, Issues 6, pp. 1-3).
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Diabetes management in the 1980s

Melkus, G. D., D'Eramo, G., & SHAMOON, H. (1986). (Vols. 3, pp. 59-65).
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Dental care for the person with diabetes mellitus

Melkus, G. D., Villeneuve, M., Treitel, L., & D'Eramo, G. (1985). (Vols. 11, pp. 44-47).
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Nutrition and diabetes education curriculum for non-insulin dependent diabetes

Melkus, G. D., D'Eramo, G., & Hagan, J. (1985). In Society for Nutrition Education Proceedings.
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Preoperative teaching of the surgical patient

Melkus, G. D., & D'Eramo, G. (1980). In ETHICON.
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