Teresa Graziano, Ph.D., RN

Assistant Professor

PRONOUNS They/them

Teresa Graziano
Pronouns They/them
Alma mater(s)
  • Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Nursing
  • M.S., University of Connecticut; Nursing
  • B.S., University of Rhode Island; Nursing

BIO

Teresa is a registered nurse whose experience is in hematology oncology with certification in blood and marrow transplant nursing. Teresa joins our department after completing their M.S. and Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Connecticut. They are a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and are outspoken about improving patient care for this population through teaching, scholarship, and practice.

Their research interests include reconceptualizing sex and gender in nursing practice/research and exploring the effects of sex and gender on health and pain. The goal of their research is to address health disparities that exist between sexes and genders, particularly for women, intersex, and transgender individuals. Teresa has experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Philosophically, they posit how a nurse’s power is used, and at times abused, ultimately affecting patient and population health outcomes. This work is informed by Critical Theory, antiracist, queer, disability justice, and decolonization frameworks.

Awards and Achievements

  • Fellow 2023-2024, Center for Nursing Philosophy, University of California Irvine
  • Summer Doctoral Dissertation Award 2023, University of Connecticut, Graduate School
  • Trainee Grant 2022, Center for Advancement in Pain Management, $1,500
  • Oncology Nurses’ Foundation Doctoral Academic Scholarship 2022, Oncology Nurses’ Foundation
  • Inaugural Jean Watson Award – Oncology Recipient 2020, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital
  • University Academic Excellence Award, College of Nursing Commencement Speaker 2019
  • University of Rhode Island
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 2018 - Present

Area(s) of expertise

Sexual and gender minorities, pain, mental health

Bio

Teresa is a registered nurse whose experience is in hematology oncology with certification in blood and marrow transplant nursing. Teresa joins our department after completing their M.S. and Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Connecticut. They are a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and are outspoken about improving patient care for this population through teaching, scholarship, and practice.

Their research interests include reconceptualizing sex and gender in nursing practice/research and exploring the effects of sex and gender on health and pain. The goal of their research is to address health disparities that exist between sexes and genders, particularly for women, intersex, and transgender individuals. Teresa has experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Philosophically, they posit how a nurse’s power is used, and at times abused, ultimately affecting patient and population health outcomes. This work is informed by Critical Theory, antiracist, queer, disability justice, and decolonization frameworks.

Awards and Achievements

  • Fellow 2023-2024, Center for Nursing Philosophy, University of California Irvine
  • Summer Doctoral Dissertation Award 2023, University of Connecticut, Graduate School
  • Trainee Grant 2022, Center for Advancement in Pain Management, $1,500
  • Oncology Nurses’ Foundation Doctoral Academic Scholarship 2022, Oncology Nurses’ Foundation
  • Inaugural Jean Watson Award – Oncology Recipient 2020, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital
  • University Academic Excellence Award, College of Nursing Commencement Speaker 2019
  • University of Rhode Island
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 2018 - Present

Areas of Expertise

Sexual and gender minorities, pain, mental health

Publications

Graziano, T. A., Fitzgerald, H. N., Ortiz, J.*, Owen, C. K., & Shook, N. J. (2024). Internalized Phobia, Community Connectedness, Outness, and Mental Health Risk and Protection in LGBTQ Persons. Nursing research, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000759 

Graziano T. A. (2023). Meta-ethnography on Chest Dysphoria and Liberating Solutions for Transmasculine Individuals. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 52(5), 350–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2023.05.111 

* Undergraduate mentee