SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

Telisa Spikes is 4th year PhD student enrolled at Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Telisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mercer University in 2003. Upon completion of the program, Telisa was the recipient of the Godfrey award for Adult nursing, an honor bestowed to a senior nursing student that recognizes exceptional academic performance in addition to outstanding clinical practice. After working clinically in Critical Care for 6 years, Telisa returned to further her studies and obtain a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration and Leadership with a concentration in Health Policy from Kennesaw State University in 2009. While at Kennesaw, Telisa made the Dean’s list and graduated with honors. Prior to beginning her doctorate program, Telisa was the Unit Director of a 44-bed post-open heart/congestive heart failure unit. During her tenure, Telisa was responsible for initiating and assisting with the implementation of a new patient care delivery model that was eventually implemented throughout the inpatient acute care units in the hospital. Telisa’s area of research focuses on factors that influence medication adherence in young adult African American women with hypertension. Telisa has presented research findings on medication adherence at local and national conferences. In addition, Telisa was recently awarded an F31 NRSA pre-doctoral dissertation fellowship research grant. Under this award, Telisa will continue to advance her skills as a rising nursing scientist, complete her dissertation study, publish and disseminate study findings in peer-reviewed journal articles.