Brief Bio

Michael Relf, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, AACRN, FAAN, is Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and Director of the Accelerated BSN Program in the School of Nursing at Duke University. Dr. Relf has a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins University, where his work focused on HIV prevention and intimate partner violence. Dr. Relf has written extensively on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence and HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men. His recently funded research has tested interventions to promote retention in primary care among HIV+ persons at high-risk of dropping out of care after enrolling examining health literacy, HIV related stigma and patient-provider relationships. Currently, Dr. Relf is the co-investigator on a PEPFAR funded project to build nursing capacity in the context of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Dr. Relf is an Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse and clinical specialist in adult health. He was recognized by the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care with the Frank Lamendola Achievement Award for Nursing Leadership in HIV Care in 2003 and the Spirit of Nursing Award for mentoring in 2006, is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and Sigma Xi, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Academic Program Affiliations

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
PhD in Nursing Program

Education

PhD	Johns Hopkins University
MS	Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies

Professional Certifications

ACNS-BC	Clinical Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing
AACRN	Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
CNE	Certified Nurse Educator

Research Interests

Dr. Relf's primary area of research interest focuses on risk for and living with HIV/AIDS. Specifically, his research focuses on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence and HIV risk behaviors; behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk taking among men with HIV/AIDS; and interventions/models of care to retain HIV-positive persons at risk of dropping out of medical care.

Awards and Honors

• 2008 Elected Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)

• 2008 Inducted, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society

• 2005 Distinguished Lecturer, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

• 2005 Spirit of Nursing Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

• 2004 Excellence in Research Award, Georgetown University, School of Nursing and Health Studies

• 2004 Nowik Fellowship in International Health, Georgetown University, School of Nursing and Health Studies

• 2003 Excellence in Service Award., Georgetown University, School of Nursing and Health Studies

• 2003 Frank Lamendola Achievement Award for Nursing Leadership in HIV Care, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

• 1999 Germaine Kryson RN Scholar, American Nurses Foundation

• 1987 Inducted, Sigma Theta Tau International

Areas of Expertise

• Global and Community Health
• Nursing Education
• Psychiatric / Behavioral Health

Areas of Interest

• battering victimization/intimate partner violence in same-sex couples
• behavioral aspects of HIV/AIDS (stigma, grief/loss, symptom distress, quality of life)
• epidemiology of HIV transmitted drug resistance
• interventions to promote retention in HIV-oriented medical care

Representative Publications

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 20413330 Relf, M. V., Mekwa, J., Chasokela, C., Booth, C., Deng, L., Mallinson, R. K., Ramantele, K., Letsie, E., Mtengezo, J., Nhlengethwa, W., Powell, D., Webb, A., Diesel, T., Liddle, A. Essential core competencies related to HIV and AIDS are critically needed in nursing. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. January-February, 2011; 22(1); S2-8

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21211698 Relf, M. V., Mekwa, J., Chasokela, C., Nhlengethwa, W., Letsie, E., Mtengezo, J., Ramantele, K., Diesel, T., Booth, C., Deng, L., Mallinson, R.K., Powell, D., Webb, A., Liddle, A., Yu-Shears, J., Hall, C., Aranda-Naranjo, B., Parham Hopson, D. Essential nursing competencies related to HIV and AIDS: Executive summary. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. January-February, 2011; 22(1); S9-16

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21168066 Relf, M. V., Mekwa, J., Chasokela, C., Nhlengethwa, W., Letsie, E., Mtengezo, J., Ramantele, K., Diesel, T., Booth, C., Deng, L., Mallinson, R. K., Powell, D., Webb, A., Liddle, A., Yu-Shears, J., Hall, C., Aranda-Naranjo, B., Hopson, D. P. Essential nursing competencies related to HIV and AIDS. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. January-February, 2011; 22(1 Suppl); e5-40

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20637935 Cox, C. W., Relf, M. V., Chen, R., Zangaro, G. A. The retention of recalled United States Navy nurse reservists. Nurs Outlook. Jul-Aug 2010; 58(4); 214-20

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19540494 Relf, M. V., Laverriere, K., Devlin, C., Salerno, T. Ethical beliefs related to HIV and AIDS among nursing students in South Africa and the United States: a cross-sectional analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. November 1, 2009; 46(11); 1448-56

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19519241 Relf, M. V., Bishop, T. L., Lachat, M. F., Schiavone, D. B., Pawlowski, L., Bialko, M. F., Boozer, D. L., Dekker, D. A qualitative analysis of partner selection, HIV serostatus disclosure, and sexual behaviors among HIV-positive urban men. AIDS Educ Prev. June 1, 2009; 21(3); 280-97

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19413497 Drainoni, M., Dekker, D., Lee-Hood, E., Boehmer, U., Relf, M. HIV medical care provider practices for reducing high-risk sexual behavior: results of a qualitative study. AIDS Patient Care STDS. May 1, 2009; 23(5); 347-56

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 19157242 Rajabiun, S., Rumptz, M. H., Felizzola, J., Frye, A., Relf, M., Yu, G., Cunningham, W. E. The impact of acculturation on Latinos' perceived barriers to HIV primary care. Ethn Dis. Autumn, 2008; 18(4); 403-8

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18569359 Drainoni, M., Rajabiun, S., Rumptz, M., Welles, S.L., Relf, M., Rebholz, C., Holmes, L., Dyl, A., Lovejoy, T., Dekker, D., Frye, A. Health literacy of HIV-positive individuals enrolled in an outreach intervention: results of a cross-site analysis. J Health Commun. 2008; 13(3); 287-302

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18462072 Boyd, A.C., Herzberg, E.M., Marshall, M.M., Lamparello, N.A., De Leon, M.A., Porter, A., Evans, C.H., Doshi, S., Shahkolahi, A., Dekker, D., Relf, M.V. Antiretroviral drug resistance among treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected persons in Washington, D.C. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2008; 22(6); 445-8

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17428185 Cunningham, C.O., Sohler, N.L., Wong, M.D., Relf, M., Cunningham, W.E., Drainoni, M., Bradford, J., Pounds, M.B., Cabral, H.D. Utilization of health care services in hard-to-reach marginalized HIV-infected individuals. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2007; 21(3); 177-86

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 16940819 Lachat, M. F., Scott, C. A., Relf, M. V. HIV and pregnancy: considerations for nursing practice. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. January, 2007; 31(4); 233-40; quiz 241-2

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17563295 Rajabiun, S., Cabral, H., Tobias, C., Relf, M. Program design and evaluation strategies for the Special Projects of National Significance Outreach Initiative. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2007; 21 Suppl 1 S9-19

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16990124 Norton, C.K., Relf, M.V., Cox, C.W., Farley, J., Lachat, M., Tucker, M., Murray, J. Ensuring NCLEX-RN success for first-time test-takers. J Prof Nurs. 2006; 22(5); 322-6

• 2006 -- Relf, M. V., Glass, N. Gay and lesbian relationships and intimate partner abuse. In Intimate partner abuse and health professionals: Old problems, new approaches to domestic violence., edited by Roberts, G. and Hegarty, K. and Feder, G. 2006; pp. 213-228. London: Elsevier Publishing.

• 2005 -- Relf, M. V., Mallinson, R. K., Pawlowski, L., Dolan, K., Dekker, D. HIV-related stigma among persons attending an urban HIV clinic. Journal of Multicultural Nursing and Health. Winter, 2005; 11(1); 14-22

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 16106155 Mallinson, R. K., Relf, M. V., Dekker, D., Dolan, K., Darcy, A., Ford, A. Maintaining normalcy: a grounded theory of engaging in HIV-oriented primary medical care. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2005; 28(3); 265-77

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 15090130 Relf, M. V., Huang, B., Campbell, J., Catania, J. Gay identity, interpersonal violence, and HIV risk behaviors: an empirical test of theoretical relationships among a probability-based sample of urban men who have sex with men. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. June, 2004; 15(2); 14-26

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 14983562 Relf, M., Berger, B., Crespo-Fierro, M., Mallinson, R. K., Miller-Hardwick, C. The value of certification in HIV/AIDS nursing. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. March, 2004; 15(1); 60-4

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 12469539 Jerez, D. C., Relf, M. The social injustice of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. December, 2002; 13(6); 13-6

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 12453817 Greenwood, G. L., Relf, M. V., Huang, B., Pollack, L. M., Canchola, J. A., Catania, J. A. Battering victimization among a probability-based sample of men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. December, 2002; 92(12); 1964-9 PMCID: PMC1447360

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 11565236 Relf, M. V. Childhood sexual abuse in men who have sex with men: the current state of the science. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. January, 2002; 12(5); 20-9

• 2001 -- Pubmed # 11387804 Relf, M. V. Battering and HIV in men who have sex with men: a critique and synthesis of the literature. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. October, 2001; 12(3); 41-8

• 1997 -- Pubmed # 9384065 Relf, M. V. Illuminating meaning and transforming issues of spirituality in HIV disease and AIDS: an application of Parse's theory of human becoming. Holist Nurs Pract. October, 1997; 12(1); 1-8

• 1997 -- Pubmed # 8906734 Relf, M. V. Xenotransplantation of baboon bone marrow cells: a historical review of the protocols as a possible treatment modality for HIV/AIDS. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. March, 1997; 7(5); 27-35

Grant Funding (selected)

• Feasibility of a Stigma Reduction Intervention for HIV-infected Women  
  National Institutes of Health
  1R21-NR012415-01A1
  04/2011-02/2013
  Role: Co-PI
  

• Duke LEADS in Nursing Program (The Duke Leadership, Excellence, Access and Diversity Scholarship in Nursing Program)  
  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  67688
  08/2010-07/2011
  Role: Project Director
  Project Goal: The purpose of this project is to obtain external support for scholarships to increase diversity in student enrollment among those underrepresented in nursing in the Duke University School of Nursing ABSN program.

• E.D.U.C.A.T.E. ABSNs (Expanding Duke University’s Capacity to Advance, Transform and Empower ABSN Students)  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing
  1D11-HP14606-01-00
  07/2009-06/2012
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: The purpose of this project is to expand enrollment in the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program by 94% in three years by (1) recruiting and mentoring 15 new clinical instructors, (2) securing 15 new clinical partners for clinical instruction, and (3) recruiting, hiring, orienting and mentoring 5 new doctorally-prepared faculty to teach in the ABSN program.

• Global HIV/AIDS Nursing Capacity Building Program  
  Georgetown University
  4800-821-DU
  09/2009-12/2009
  Role: PI
  

• Global HIV/AIDS Nursing Capacity Building Program  
  Georgetown University
  08/2008-08/2009
  Role: PI
  

• Washington Hospital Center Nurse Scholar’s Program: An educational-practice partnership to address the nursing shortage  
  Washington Hospital Center
  07/2008-05/2009
  Role: Department Chair
  This initial programmatic grant to the Department of Nursing of Georgetown University was funded after proposal submission to provide 80% scholarships for accelerated BSN students at Georgetown University, Department of Nursing. The phase I contract funded 28 full-time students and provided seed money for expanding the program to 280 scholarships over three years. Reinvestment of funds to establish the Institute for Nursing Innovation and Research which was conceptualized to include the Center for Patient Safety, Quality and Nursing Services Research.

• Simulations and Partners across Communities for Registered Nurse Education (SIM-PAC-RN)  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
  5D11-HP-08367-02-00
  07/2007-06/2010
  Role: Project Director, 2008/10/01 to 2010/06/30
  Project Goal: The purpose of this project is to expand and strengthen the current Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program by 1) increasing and expanding the number of clinical sites for entry-level training, 2) expanding the pool of clinical instructors, 3) expanding enrollment in the ABSN program, and 4) enhancing the breadth, depth, and integration of simulation technology into the ABSN curriculum.

• In response to HRSA program announcement, Global HIV/AIDS Nursing Initiative  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau
  1-U92HA07230
  07/2006-06/2008
  Role: Co-investigator
  Year 1: Global HIV/AIDS Nursing Capacity Building Program;

  Years 2/3: Nurses SOAR! (Nurses Strengthening our AIDS Response!)
  The purpose of this project is to develop a sustainable nursing workforce prepared to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and facilitate roll out of anti-retroviral therapy through knowledge acquisition, clinical mentoring, leadership development (at the national policy level and individual person level), and to foster communities of self-care. This project is being implemented in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. There was an approved no cost extension for the period of 7/1/2009 – 12/31/2009.

• Programmatic grant to support collaborative research with Whitman-Walker Clinic.  
  Kaiser Family Foundation
  10/2004-07/2008
  Role: PI
  This programmatic gift/grant was given for the directed purpose of augmenting and expanding behavioral research collaborations with Whitman-Walker Clinic. Funds from this project were used to conduct a study entitled, Risk behaviors, mental health and violence victimization among persons living with HIV/AIDS.

• Health literacy, adherence and HIV: An interactive skills-building session.  
  Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
  10/2003-12/2003
  Role: PI
  As President of HANCB, I received funding, after submission of a concept paper, to conduct a 1.5 hours skills building session on health literacy and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy at the 16th Annual ANAC national conference (November 2003: New York, NY).

• The Healthy Connections for Positive Living Project  
  HRSA/HAB/SPNS
  H97HA00207
  09/2003-08/2007
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of the phase I project was (1) to develop a screening algorithm to predict retention in HIV-oriented medical care for patients at risk of dropping out of care after voluntarily enrolling and (2) to identify the variables and processes influencing retention in medical care among HIV-positive persons using a mixed-methods approach. Through competitive re-application, the phase II project was funded (1) to test a retention care coordination intervention comparing two durations and intensities of intervention among HIV-positive persons at high-risk of dropping out of HIV-oriented medical care after voluntarily enrolling. There was a no cost extension for the period of 9/1/2006 – 8/31/2007. There were 17 sites participating in phase I and 10 sites (of the original 17) were funded in phase II.

• Preventing HIV transmission among Positive Persons enrolled in Primary Care.  
  HRSA/HAB/SPNS
  H97HA01195A00
  09/2003-08/2008
  Role: Co-investigator
  Project Goal: The purpose of this project was to test a brief, three session psycho-educational intervention designed to reduce sexual risk taking compared to a provider delivered health education message among HIV-positive men enrolled in HIV oriented primary care. There was a no cost extension for the period of 9/1/2007 – 8/31/2008.

• Developing collaborative partnerships between the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board and  
  OrthoBiotech Products, L.P.
  07/2002-06/2003
  Role: PI
  As President of HANCB, I submitted this proposal to increase awareness among and partnerships with other specialty nursing organizations including the National Black Nurses’ Association and the Hispanic Nurses Association. The purpose of this project was to raise awareness about opportunities in HIV/AIDS nursing practice and certification in HIV/AIDS nursing care.

• Testing the ARRM-E (AIDS Risk Reduction Model – Expanded) in Men who have Sex with Men  
  American Nurses Foundation
  ID#99-49
  07/1999-06/2000
  Role: PI
  The purpose of this project was to empirically test, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, an expanded version of the AIDS Risk Reduction Model among urban men who have sex men. The expanded model placed sexual risk behaviors in the context of urban men’s lives and included childhood sexual abuse, gay identity, battering victimization, HIV alienation and cue-to-action triggers.

• The Gay Urban Men’s Study: A secondary analysis of HIV risk among gay men based on constructs of the Expanded AIDS Risk Reduction Model  
  Sigma Theta Tau International
  07/1999-06/2000
  Role: PI
  The purpose of this project was to empirically test, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, an expanded version of the AIDS Risk Reduction Model among urban men who have sex men. The expanded model placed sexual risk behaviors in the context of urban men’s lives and included childhood sexual abuse, gay identity, battering victimization, HIV alienation and cue-to-action triggers.