J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN, FAAIDD
Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Department of Primary and Public Health
Ph.D. Program in Nursing Director, College of Graduate Health Sciences
Chief of Nursing, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
711 Jefferson Avenue # 182
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
Office Phone: 901-448-6544
Toll free: 800-733-2498
Fax: 901-448-7097
Email: jgraff@utmem.edu
Link to CV (PDF version)
Carolyn Graff received her undergraduate degree from the Medical College of Georgia and her MN and PhD in Nursing from the University of Kansas. She has been with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center since 2001. Currently she is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing and Chief of Nursing at the Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Education, Research, and Service. Dr. Graff is the director of the PhD Program in Nursing in the College of Graduate Health Sciences. She was Clinical Services Coordinator and Coordinator of Nursing with the University of Kansas UCEDD in Kansas City, Kansas where her responsibilities focused on the health of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
She teaches courses in concept analysis and theory evaluation and development and serves as guest lecturer on topics related to intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was an NIH fellow at the National Institute of Nursing Research Summer Genetics Institute. Dr. Graff focuses her research on persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. She is a member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, the International Society of Nurses in Genetics, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, the Society of Pediatric Nurses, and the Southern Nurses Research Society.
Funded Research or Clinical Projects
Parents’ Views of Their Communication with Siblings of Children with Sickle Cell Disease. Graff, J.C. Role: Principal Investigator. Society of Pediatric Nurses. (2007). Co-investigators: J. Hankins, R. Roberts, H. Hall. The purpose of this study is to explore parents’ views of their communication with siblings of children with sickle cell disease.
Exploring Strategies to Improve the Health of Custodial Grandparents. Graff, J.C. Role: Principal Investigator. H.W. Durham Foundation. (2006-2007). Co-investigators: F.B. Palmer, B.T. Hardy. The purpose of this study is to verify custodial grandparents’ health needs and identify strategies they are using and resources and supports they need to improve their health and quality of life.
Early Identifiers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Other Behavior Disorders. Graff, J.C. Role: Co-investigator. Urban Child Institute. (2006). PI: D. Kube. Co-investigators: F.B. Palmer, L.O. Murphy, B.T. Hardy. The purpose of this study is to determine early identifiers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other behavior disorders using data collected from parents of children attending an ADHD summer camp.
Conditions Affecting Early Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE). Graff, J.C. Role: Collaborator. Urban Child Institute. (2006-present). PI: G.W. Somes, O. Phillips. Co-investigators: P.Connor, R. Egerman, R. Li, F. Palmer, R. Ramsey, B. Ryan, F. Tylavsky. The purpose of this study is to investigate the separate and combined effects of the mother’s prenatal actions, the home environment and childhood experiences, the exposure to potentially harmful toxins, and the genetic makeup of the child with his or her brain development from birth to 3 years of age.
Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in a Pediatric Hospital. Graff, J.C. Role: Co-investigator. Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center Small Grants and Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center Bea Gerber Award. (2004-2005) PI: D. Kube. Co-investigators: M. Petersen, T. Whitaker. The purpose of this grant is to identify the prevalence of developmental disabilities among children hospitalized for acute health problems.
Comparing Health of Grandparents Who Do and Do Not Have Custody of Their Grandchildren (Grandparent Health Study). Graff, J.C. Role: Principal Investigator. Tennessee Department of Children's Services. (2002-2003) Co-investigators: V. Engle, B. Hardy, M. Petersen, F. Palmer. The purpose of this grant is to compare the health of custodial and non-custodial grandparents, identifying unmet health needs and service gaps.
Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications
Journal Articles
Nwokeji, S., & Graff, C. (submitted). Taking action: Nurses and autism. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing.
Hall, H.R., Graff, J.C. (submitted). Parent stress, coping, resources, and supports in families of children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Pediatric Nursing.
Graff, J.C., Hall, H.R., Nwokeji, S. (accepted). Global disparities in health care for persons with intellectual disabilities: New evidence for nurses. International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Russell, C., Burchum, J., Likes, W., Jacob, S., Graff, C., Driscoll, C., Britt, T., Adymy, C., & Cowan, P. (2008). Webquests: Creating engaging, student-centered, constructivist learning activities. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 26(2), 78-87.
Neely-Barnes, S.L., Graff, J.C., Marcenko, M.O., Weber, L.A. (2008). Family decision-making: Benefits to persons with developmental disabilities and their family members. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 46(2), 93-105.
Graff, J.C., Russell, C., Stegbauer, C. (2007). Formative and summative evaluation of a practice doctorate program. Nurse Educator, 32(4), 173-177.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Integrating genetics and genomics into developmental disabilities nursing practice. International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 3(2), http://journal.hsmc.org/ijnidd.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Editorial: Bringing the genetic and genomic revolution to developmental disabilities nursing. International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 3(2), http://journal.hsmc.org/ijnidd/editorialtemplate.asp?id=157
Burchum, J.L.R., Russell, C.K., Likes, W., Adymy, C., Britt, T., Driscoll, C., Graff, C., Jacob, S., Cowan, P. (2007, March). Confronting challenges in online teaching: The WebQuest solution. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(1), 40-57.
Graff, J.C., Barks, L., Nehring, W., Schlaier, J., Tupper, L., Moore, M.K. (2007). Nursing support and nurse staffing: Guidelines to improve the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 3(1), http://www.journal.hsmc.org/ijnidd
Graff, J.C., Murphy, L., Ekvall, S., Gagnon, M. (2006). In-home toxic chemical exposures and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pediatric Nursing, 32(6), 596-603.
Hathaway, D., Jacob, S., Stegbauer, C., Thompson, C., Graff, C. (2006). The practice doctorate: Perspectives of early adopters. Journal of Nursing Education, 45(12), 487-496.
Graff, J., Engle, V., Pruett, J. (2003). Health disparities of custodial and non-custodial black grandparents caring for grandchildren. The Gerontologist, 43, p. 39.
Books/Book Chapters
Graff, C. , Cashion, A. (in press). Genetics. In K. Osborn, C. Wraa, & A. Watson (Eds.), Medical-Surgical Nursing . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Graff, J.C., Smith, H., Neely-Barnes, S. (in press). Theoretical and methodological issues in sibling research. In.L.M. Glidden (Ed.), International Review of Research in Mental Retardation.
Graff, J.C., Davis A.D.B. (in press). Disability and secondary diseases. In D.A. Raines & E.D Youngkin (Eds.). Promoting Health from Preconception through Maturity: A Unique Nursing Role. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Graff, J.C. (2006). Community Nursing. In I.L. Rubin & A.C. Crocker (Eds.), Medical Care for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities (2 nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Rues, J., Graff, C., Ault, M.M., Holvet, J. (2006). Special Health Care Procedures. In M. Snell & F. Brown (Eds.), Instruction of Students with Severe Disabilities (6 th ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Graff, C. , Whitaker, T., Murphy, L., McFadden, S. (2005). Roles and Responsibilities of Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals. In W.M. Nehring (Ed.), Core Curriculum for Specializing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Resource for Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals. Boston , MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Other
Graff, C. (2004). Genetics, Medications, and Pharmacogenomics. Psychiatric Disorders and Mental Retardation: Diagnosis, Medications, Genetics, and Behavioral Phenotypes, Fall 2004 Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN. (CD Rom available in Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities Lending Library)
Invited Workshops/Seminars/Presentations
International
Graff, J.C. , Davis, A., Gagnon, M. (2006). Successes and Challenges in Preventing Toxic Chemical Exposures in Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The International Summit for the Alliance on Social Inclusion, May 4, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nehring, W., Barks, L., Cheetham, T., Reeve, A., Graff, C. (2006). Health the Cornerstone of Social Inclusion: The AAMR Draft Declaration on Health Symposium. The International Summit for Alliance on Social Inclusion, May 3, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Graff, C. (2004). Guiding Parents in Their Communication with Siblings about a Genetic Disorder. Genomic Nursing in the 21 st Century, 17 th Annual Conference, International Society of Nurses in Genetics, Inc., October 26, Toronto, Ontario.
Graff, C. (2004). State of the Knowledge Symposium: Neonatal and Pediatric Genetics. Genomic Nursing in the 21 st Century, 17 th Annual Conference, International Society of Nurses in Genetics, Inc., October 25, Toronto, Ontario.
Graff, C. , Roberts, R., Pavaala, J., McGee, G. (2003). Sibshop. 5-P Minus Society Annual Conference, August 9, Memphis, TN.
National
Graff, J.C. (2008). Hot Topics in Genetics and Genetic Health Care. Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association 16th Annual Education Conference and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry 5th Annual Education Conference, June 8, Mashantucket, CT.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Environmental Health Risks of People with Developmental Disabilities Living in Community-based Residential Settings. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 131st Annual Meeting, May 23, Atlanta, GA.
Graff, J.C. , Bogomolov, B., Selekman, J. (2007). Child Rearing and the Changing Faces of Families. Society of Pediatric Nurses 17th Annual Convention, April 12, Milwaukee, WI.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Parents’ Birds of a Feather. National Ataxia Foundation, 50 th Annual Membership Meeting. March 23, Memphis, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Adult Siblings. National Ataxia Foundation, 50 th Annual Membership Meeting. March 23, Memphis, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2007). Lessons about Toxic Chemical Exposures from Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Environmental Health Lecture Series. Sponsored by the John Merck Fund. February 13, National Teleconference.
Gagnon, M., Graff, C. , Schettler, T. (2006). Neurotoxic Exposures, Learning, and Developmental Disabilities. DDNA 2006. Focus on Developmental Disabilities Nursing. 14 th Annual Education Conference of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, April 24, Daytona Beach, FL.
Davis , A.D.B., Graff, J.C. (2005). Special Concerns and Practical Strategies to Reduce Toxic Exposures for the Developmental Disabilities Community. Out of Harm’s Way: Preventing Toxic Threats to Child Development in Michigan, University of Michigan, November 3, Ann Arbor, MI.
Graff, J.C. (2005). Emerging Issues in Neurodevelopmental Harm. Out of Harm’s Way: Preventing Toxic Threats to Child Development in Michigan, University of Michigan, November 3, Ann Arbor, MI.
Graff, J.C. (2005). A Total Delivery Health System: Roles for Members of the Team. Health Care in Community Settings Theory to Practice: Reducing Health Care Disparities for People with Developmental Disabilities. May South and Marcus Institute, February 24, Atlanta, GA.
Local
Nwokeji, S., Graff, C., Williams, J., Hardy, B., Davis, K., Roberts, R. (2007). Exploring Strategies to Improve the Health of Custodial Grandparents. Tennessee Nurses Association, October 13, Knoxville, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2007). SibCamp: A Camp for Siblings of Children with Chronic Illness and Disabilities. Spring 2007 Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, April 19, Memphis, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2005). Toxic Chemical Exposures: How Vulnerable are Persons with Developmental Disabilities? West Tennessee Developmental Disability Nurses Network, December 15, Arlington, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2005). ‘ On the Back Burner’ . . . The Health of Grandparents Caring for their Grandchildren. Children’s Foundation Research Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Pediatrics, October 6, Memphis, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2005). Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in Homes of Children with Developmental Disabilities. Research, Spring 2005 Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, April 21, Memphis, TN.
Graff, C. (2004). Health of Relative Caregivers. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Resource for Relative Caregivers, AARP of Tennessee and University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, November 16, Memphis, TN.
Graff, C. (2004). Genetics, Medications, and Pharmacogenomics. Psychiatric Disorders and Mental Retardation: Diagnosis, Medications, Genetics, and Behavioral Phenotypes, Fall 2004 Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, October 21, Memphis, TN.
Graff, J.C. (2004). Health of Relative Caregivers: Hope and a Dilemma. 9 th Annual Health Summit of Minority Communities, Research and Evaluation Forum. Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Minority Health; Tennessee Black Health Care Commission; Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators; Tennessee Minority Health and Community Development Coalition; August 25, Chattanooga, TN.
Graff, C. , Hensley, A., Magee, G., Roberts, R. (2003). Challenges and Rewards of Aging Caregivers and Adult Siblings. Long-Term Care and People with Developmental Disabilities Who are Aging. Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, April 10, Memphis, TN.
Graff, C. (2003). Sibling Caregivers: What We Know about the Benefits and Challenges of Taking Care of Brothers and Sisters. Interdisciplinary Training Series, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, March 27, Memphis, TN.
Recent Peer-Reviewed Presentations
International
Petersen, M.C., Kube, D.A., Whitaker, T., Palmer, F.B., Graff, J.C. (2007). Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders in a Pediatric Hospital. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, October 13, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Graff, J.C. , Roberts, R., Hall, H., Neely-Barnes, S. (2006). Communication between Parents and Siblings of Children with Autism and Down syndrome. 19 th Annual International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) Conference, October 9, New Orleans, LA.
Graff, J.C., Davis , A., Gagnon, M., Nehring, W., Rubin, L., Reeve, A., Aceves, J., Thompson, P. (2006). Symposium: Health, Health Care, and Social Inclusion – Successes and Challenges. The International Summit for the Alliance on Social Inclusion, May 4, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Murphy, L., Graff, J.C. (2006). People First Language: Is the Message Clear? The International Summit for the Alliance on Social Inclusion, May 4, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Graff, J.C. , Roberts, R., Hall, H., Neely-Barnes, S. (2006). Communication between Parents and Siblings of Children with Down Syndrome and Factors Within and Outside Parent-Sibling Dyads. The International Summit for the Alliance on Social Inclusion, May 4, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
National
Hall, H., Graff, C. (2008). Focus Group Interviews with Parents of Children with Genetic/Developmental Disorders: Participant and Researcher Perspectives. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 132nd Annual Meeting, May 28, Washington, DC.
Nwokeji, S. Graff, C. (2008). Synthesis of Qualitative Research Reports on Siblings of Children with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities. Society of Pediatric Nurses 2008 Annual Convention, April 5, Denver, CO.
Neely-Barnes, S., Graff, J.C., Washington, G. (2008). Assessing the Mental and Physical Health of Custodial Grandparents. Society for Social Work and Research 12th Annual Conference, January 17, Washington, DC.
Graff, C., Roberts, R., Johnson, M., Heath, P., Hardy, B., Hall, H., Hankins, J. (2007). Parents’ Views of their Communication with Siblings of Children with Sickle Cell Disease. Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, 35th Annual Convention, September 20, Washington, DC.
Head, L., Graff, C., Hall, H., Murphy, L., Abbeduto, L. (2007). Utilizing a Systems-based Approach to Clinical Assessment: A Model for Support Service Provision. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 131 st Annual Meeting, May 23, Atlanta, GA.
Martin, B., Graff, J.C., Minihan, P. (2007). Prescription for Quality Health Care: Collaboration! Teaching Health Care Professionals about Health Needs of Individuals with Disabilities. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 131 st Annual Meeting, May 23, Atlanta, GA.
Neely-Barnes, S., Graff, J.C., Marcenko, M.O., Weber, L.A. (2007). Are There Benefits to Family-Decision Making in Developmental Disability Services? American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 131 st Annual Meeting, May 22, Atlanta, GA.
Roberts, R.J., Graff, J.C., Neely-Barnes, S., Hall, H.R. (2007). The Categorical vs. Non-categorical Approach for Siblings of Children with Genetic Disorders. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 131 st Annual Meeting, May 22, Atlanta, GA.
Engle, V.R., Hartig, M.T., Graff, C., Stegbauer, C., Russell, C., Thompson, C. (2007). Leading the Way: Seven Years of Practice Doctorate Education at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Doctor of Nursing Practice: Meanings and Models. Drexel University. March 29, Annapolis, MD.
Graff, J.C. , Roberts, R., Hall, H., Neely-Barnes, S., Hankin, J. (2007). Parent-Sibling Communication in Families of Children with Autism, Down syndrome, and Sickle Cell Disease. Symposium: Siblings of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Across the Life Span. Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, March 7, Annapolis, MD.
Neely-Barnes, S.L., Graff, J.C., Marcenko, M. (2007). Benefits to Family Choice and Planning in Developmental Disability Services. 2007 Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work Research, January 12, San Francisco, CA.
Engle, V., Hartig, M.T., Graff, J.C. , Stegbauer, C.C., Russell, C.K., Cunningham, P.D., Patton, S., Oswaks, J.S.D. (2006). Lessons Learned from Six Years of Practice Doctorate Education. 32 nd Annual Meeting of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, April 22, Orlando, FL.
Graff, J.C. , Murphy, L., Ekvall, S., Gagnon, M. (2005). Toxic Chemical Exposure in Homes of Children with Developmental Disabilities. Alliance for Full Participation Summit 2005: Many Voices One Vision, September 23, Washington, DC.
Regional
Kube, D.A., Hardy, B.T., Murphy, L.O., Graff, J.C., Palmer, F.B. (2007). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Relationship between Early Childhood and Family Risk Factors and Childhood Mental Health. Southern Society for Pediatric Research, February 8, New Orleans, LA.
Branstetter, J.E., Domian, E.W., Williams, P.D., Graff, J.C. , Piamjariykul, U. (2005). Communication Patterns in Families of Children with Chronic Illness/Disability. 10 th Kansas Nursing Research Exchange, November 4, Overland Park, KS.
Current and Recent Professional Achievements and Activities
Editorial Appointments
International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Review Panels
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Professional Organizations and Offices
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Awards and Fellowship Committee, Chair; Conference Planning Committee, Member; Action Group on Environmental Disasters, Member; Health and Wellness Action Group, Member and Former Co-Chair
International Society of Nurses in Genetics: Annual Conference Planning Committee, Member; Abstract Committee, Chair
American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Society of Pediatric Nurses, Southern Nursing Research Society, Tennessee Nurses Association, West Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network
Honors
Excellence in Teaching Award, Student Government Association Executive Council, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2008; Corrine Barnes Research Grant Award, Society of Pediatric Nurses, 2007; Fellow, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2006; NIH Fellow, NINR Summer Genetics Institute 2003; Society of Pediatric Nurses, Best Research Poster Award, 2002; Sigma Theta Tau International, Delta Chapter, Doctoral Student Award, 2001; Roma Lee Taunton Millennium Scholar Award, University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2000; Friends of Special Education, Shawnee Mission School District, Shawnee Mission, KS, 1996
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