
Michele Crespo-Fierro
AACRN MPH PhD RN
Clinical Associate Professor
Director, LEAD Honors Program
mc96@nyu.edu
1 212 992 7114
Michele Crespo-Fierro's additional information
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Michele Crespo-Fierro, PhD, MPH, RN, AACRN, is a clinical assistant professor at NYU Meyers College of Nursing. She is the director of the NYU Meyers LEAD Honors Program and a Fellow in the New York Academy of Medicine. Her areas of interest are HIV care, the social determinants of health, culturally congruent care and linguistically appropriate services, LGBTQ and adolescent health needs, nursing workforce diversity and diverse student support, addressing the STEM pipeline issues for students of color, and designing anti-racist health professions curricula. She has published articles, book chapters and presented nationally and internationally on these topics. She is the founding faculty advisor for the student group Latinos Aspiring To Imagine Nursing Opportunities (LATINOS).
Crespo-Fierro is certified in advanced AIDS nursing care by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. She is the recipient of various awards, scholarships, fellowships, and grants and is active in leadership positions in the New York Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (President) and the Greater New York Chapter of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (Board of Directors), and participates in committee work at the national level of these associations. She is a board member of the Catskill Hudson Area Health Education Center.
Crespo-Fierro earned her BS in nursing at NYU Meyers and her MS in community health nursing and MPH in community health education, with a subspecialty in HIV/AIDS nursing, at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, at Hunter College, City University of New York. She completed a PhD at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Her dissertation explored the culture care needs of Puerto Rican women receiving HIV care from nurse practitioners in New York City, with the intention of bridging culturally congruent caring and patient engagement practices.
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PhD - Graduate Center, City University of New York (2018)MS/MPH - Hunter College, City University of New York (1996)BS - NYU College of Nursing (1990)
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HIV/AIDSCommunity/population healthTranscultural care
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American Nurses Association-NYAssociation of Nurses in AIDS CareAmerican Public Health AssociationEastern Nursing Research SocietyNational Association of Hispanic NursesSigma Theta Tau - Upsilon chapterTranscultural Nursing Society
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Faculty Honors Awards
LEAD Institute, National League of Nursing (2020)Nurse of the Year, National Association of Hispanic Nurses (2019)Nurse Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2019)Nurse of the Year, National Association of Hispanic Nurses-New York (2018)Summer Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York (2012)Doctoral Students Research Grant Program Competition #7, City University of New York, Graduate Center (2012)National Hispanic Health Student Scholarship, National Hispanic Health Foundation (2011)Second Place Education Poster Presentation, 35th Annual National Association of Hispanic Nurses Conference (2010)Dean's Award, NYU College of Nursing (2009)JANAC Outstanding Clinical Article of the Year, JANAC and Sage Publications, Inc. (1998)The Dorothy White Leadership Award, Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing (1996)Nurse Excellence Award, Visiting Nurse Service of New York (1995)Founders Day Award, NYU (1990)National Hispanic Merit Scholar (1986)University Scholar, NYU (1986) -
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Publications
The Benefits of a Diverse Nursing Workforce
Crespo-Fierro, M. (2023). American Journal of Nursing, 123(3), 17-18. 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000921780.57195.8aPandemic Adaptations to an Honors Program Inaugural Capstone Projects
AbstractCrespo-Fierro, M. (2022). Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(5), 323-324. 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001008AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic and public health response of the US health care system and government provided unique opportunities for nursing education as it disrupted the usual mode of operation. An honors program at a private university at the epicenter of the pandemic pivoted multiple times to avoid failing to support the capstone projects of its inaugural cohort. Collaborative outreach with mentors and instructional technologists created opportunities for virtual delivery of patient and nursing student education and program evaluation. The lessons learned became part of the roster of resources for future cohorts to sustainably design and deliver their capstone projects.Cafecitos Supporting Nurses in the Time of COVID-19: A Commentary From the NAHN-Westchester and NAHN–New York Chapters
AbstractZavala, M., Crespo-Fierro, M., Ortiz, C., Montoya, M., Rojas, P., Gonzalez, S. C., & Gruber, D. I. (2021). Hispanic Health Care International, 19(4), 214-217. 10.1177/1540415321990622AbstractNurses have been called superheroes during this pandemic because of our compassion for our patients, but we need compassion, too. Through this state of emergency, quarantine, and isolation, the Cafecitos in the virtual world let us navigate this shared experience together.Community alliance and empowerment: An interprofessional project in Puerto Rico
Rodriguez-Howell, D., & Crespo-Fierro, M. (2021). International Journal of Nursing & Health Care Science, 1(10).Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Behaviors and Beliefs Toward Immunizations Among Latinxs
AbstractCuellar, N. G., Cuellar, M. J., McDiarmid, A., Bautista, N., Crespo-Fierro, M., Infante, G., La Torre, D., Mautner, L., Perez, M., Perry, J., Pistolessi, I., Quintana, A., Rangel, P., & Valdez, S. (2021). Hispanic Health Care International, 19(4), 221-229. 10.1177/15404153211020425AbstractIntroduction: Sixty million Latinxs make up 26.4% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States. It is uncertain whether behaviors and beliefs of immunizations among Latinxs is influenced by social determinants of health. The purpose of this study was to examine how social determinants of health predict COVID-19 behaviors and beliefs toward immunization among Latinxs. Methods: In this exploratory study, 11 chapters from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses collaborated to recruit participants. The CDC National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey was adapted to measure behaviors and beliefs about immunizations of COVID-19. The Health Access Survey was used to measure social determinants of health. Instruments were available in both Spanish and English. Results: Participants (n=228) with higher education and health insurance tended to have less worry about taking the vaccine. Access to resources and practicing COVID-19 protective factors was positively associated. Alternative medicine and use of COVID-19 protective factors were negatively associated. Exposure to drugs and violence was associated with a decrease in likelihood to pursue a vaccine. Conclusions: Latinx need education about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Access to health care services must be available. Results highlight the importance of careful measurement when assessing social determinants of health among Latinx.Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Behaviors and Beliefs Toward Immunizations Among Latinxs.
AbstractGraciela-Cuellar, N., Cuellar, M. J., McDiarmid, A., Bautista, N., Crespo-Fierro, M., Infante, G., La Torre, D., Mautner, L., Perez, M., Perry, J., Pistolessi, I., Quintana, A., Rangel, P., & Valdez, S. (2021). Hispanic Health Care International : The Official Journal of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, 19(4), 221-229. 10.1177/15404153211020425AbstractSixty million Latinxs make up 26.4% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States. It is uncertain whether behaviors and beliefs of immunizations among Latinxs is influenced by social determinants of health. The purpose of this study was to examine how social determinants of health predict COVID-19 behaviors and beliefs toward immunization among Latinxs.Linguistic and cultural adaptation of a computer-based counseling program (CARE+ Spanish) to support HIV treatment adherence and risk reduction for people living with HIV/AIDS: A randomized controlled trial
AbstractKurth, A. E., Chhun, N., Cleland, C. M., Crespo-Fierro, M., Parés-Avila, J. A., Lizcano, J. A., GNorman, R., Shedlin, M. G., Johnston, B. E., & Sharp, V. L. (2016). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(7). 10.2196/jmir.5830AbstractBackground: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease in the United States disproportionately affects minorities, including Latinos. Barriers including language are associated with lower antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence seen among Latinos, yet ART and interventions for clinic visit adherence are rarely developed or delivered in Spanish. Objective: The aim was to adapt a computer-based counseling tool, demonstrated to reduce HIV-1 viral load and sexual risk transmission in a population of English-speaking adults, for use during routine clinical visits for an HIV-positive Spanish-speaking population (CARE+ Spanish); the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was the theoretical framework guiding program development. Methods: A longitudinal randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 4, 2010 to March 29, 2012. Participants were recruited from a comprehensive HIV treatment center comprising three clinics in New York City. Eligibility criteria were (1) adults (age ≥18 years), (2) Latino birth or ancestry, (3) speaks Spanish (mono- or multilingual), and (4) on antiretrovirals. Linear and generalized mixed linear effects models were used to analyze primary outcomes, which included ART adherence, sexual transmission risk behaviors, and HIV-1 viral loads. Exit interviews were offered to purposively selected intervention participants to explore cultural acceptability of the tool among participants, and focus groups explored the acceptability and system efficiency issues among clinic providers, using the TAM framework. Results: A total of 494 Spanish-speaking HIV clinic attendees were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention (arm A: n=253) or risk assessment-only control (arm B, n=241) group and followed up at 3-month intervals for one year. Gender distribution was 296 (68.4%) male, 110 (25.4%) female, and 10 (2.3%) transgender. By study end, 433 of 494 (87.7%) participants were retained. Although intervention participants had reduced viral loads, increased ART adherence and decreased sexual transmission risk behaviors over time, these findings were not statistically significant. We also conducted 61 qualitative exit interviews with participants and two focus groups with a total of 16 providers. Conclusions: A computer-based counseling tool grounded in the TAM theoretical model and delivered in Spanish was acceptable and feasible to implement in a high-volume HIV clinic setting. It was able to provide evidence-based, linguistically appropriate ART adherence support without requiring additional staff time, bilingual status, or translation services. We found that language preferences and cultural acceptability of a computer-based counseling tool exist on a continuum in our urban Spanish-speaking population. Theoretical frameworks of technology's usefulness for behavioral modification need further exploration in other languages and cultures.Supporting breast-feeding when a woman is homelessijnt_1170 103..107
AbstractCrespo-Fierro, M. (2011). International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications, 22(2), 103-107. 10.1111/j.1744-618X.2010.01170.xAbstractPURPOSE. This case study demonstrates use of standardized nursing languages in he care of new mothers in community settings. DATA SOURCES. The author collected data from clinical practice as an instructor in a baccalaureate nursing program and from the research literature. DATA SYNTHESIS. The appropriate nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions were identified in partnership with the new mother. CONCLUSIONS. This case shows that NANDA International (NANDA-I), the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) are useful to direct nursing care in community settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING. When teaching nursing students in a baccalaureate program, nurse faculty can use NANDA-I, NOC, and NIC classifications to guide the growing practice of nursing students in community settings.The value of certification in HIV/AIDS nursing.
Reif, M., Berger, B., Crespo-Fierro, M., Mallinson, R. K., & Miller-Hardwick, C. (2004). The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC, 15(1), 60-64. 10.1177/1055329003261982Compliance/adherence and care management in HIV disease
AbstractCrespo-Fierro, M. (1997). Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 8(4), 43-54. 10.1016/S1055-3290(97)80012-XAbstractWith the changing perspectives of the HIV epidemic and the introduction of protease inhibitors to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the issue of compliance has gained considerable interest among health care providers. The idea that clients with HIV disease should succumb to a patriarchal system of medical care has been challenged by AIDS activists since the beginning of the epidemic. The concept that there is only one explanation for "noncompliance" is outdated. The reasons for noncompliance are multifaceted in nature and include psychosocial factors, complex medication and treatment regimens, ethnocultural concerns, and in many instances substance use. Therefore, the notion that there is one intervention to resolve noncompliance is at best archaic. Interventions to enhance compliance include supervised therapy, improving the nurse-client relationship, and patient education, all of which should be combined with ethnocultural interventions. Plans to enhance compliance must incorporate person-specific variables and should be tailored to individualized needs.