Sharon Fruh PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Professor; Associate Dean for Research, Development, and Evaluation Administration
Education
- PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago (Nursing), 1995
- MS, Rush University (Nursing), 1983
- BA, Bethany University (Psychology), 1980
- ADN, Triton College (Nursing), 1977
Specialized Training
- Certificate, University of Alabama (UAB), NIH-NIMHD Health Disparity Research Scholar
Program, 2016
Research Interests
- Nursing college student wellness and obesity prevention
- Reducing health disparities in minority children and their families
- Family-based obesity prevention and health promotion in community settings
- Child obesity prevention with a focus on the home food environment and family meals
- Healthy eating interventions
Ongoing Research Support
-
1UL1 TR001417 (2019-2022) National Center for Advancing Translational Research, UAB
Center for Clinical and Translational Science USA Translational Research Service Center
Sub-award Role: Co-Investigator-USA Consortium, Co-Lead>
-
Research and Scholarship Development Grant Internal Grant (RSDG): (2019-2022) University
of South Alabama. Healthy Student, Happy Nurse: A Longitudinal Investigation of Nursing
Students' Health-Related Behaviors to Promote Professional Well-being. Principal Role:
(Co-Principal Investigator) $22,794
-
Research and Scholarship Development Grant (RSDG): (2019-2022)-University of South
Alabama. College Student Success and Persistence: An Interdisciplinary Longitudinal
Study of Risk and Protective Factors Principal Role: (Co-Investigator) $24,330.00
Completed Research Support
- College of Nursing Dean’s Grant, University of South Alabama
12/09-12/10
The goal of this project was to identify the knowledge and practice habits of primary
care providers and graduate nursing students related to frequent healthy family meals.
Role: PI
- Center for Healthy Communities: NIH P20 Pilot Project
P20MD002314 (Errol Crook PI) 09/07-06/12
06/11-06/12-Family Meal Barriers and Strategies that Promote Healthy Frequent Family
Meals in African American Families. The goal of this project was threefold:
-
- Assess barriers to family meals
- Identify family meal habits and home offerings of food, and
- Evaluate the effect of an intervention program. The population was focused on minorities
who reside in health disparity zip codes.
Role: Pilot Project - PI
See More
- College of Nursing Dean’s Grant (Heather R. Hall PI).
06/12-05/13
University of South Alabama
Communication and Adaptation in Minority Families of Children with Autism
The goal of this project was to assess the communication and adaptation processes
in minority families of children with autism.
Role: Co-Investigator
- University of South Alabama, University Research Council
03/98-03/99
Development and testing of an interactive computer education program for Poarch Creek
Indians who are diabetic.
Role: PI
- National Center for Nursing Research-Department of Health and Human Services (NIH)
1990-1992
The effect of Exercise in Diabetic (Type 2) Native Americans. Pre-Doctoral Funding.
Selected Publications
- Fruh, S., Williams, S., Hauff, C., Graves, R. J., Hauff, C., Williams, S.G & Hall, H. (Accepted
2021). Weight bias and stigma: Impact on health. Nursing Clinics of North America.
- Fruh, S. M., Taylor, S. E., Graves, R. J., Hayes, K., McDermott, R., Hauff, C., Williams, S.
G., Sittig, S., Campbell, M., Hudson, G., Hall, H. Melynk, B. M., & Barinas, J. L.
(2021). Relationships among hope, body satisfaction, wellness habits, and stress in
nursing students. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37, 640-647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.01.009 (*, #)
- Ard, J., Fitch, A., Fruh, S., & Herman, L. (2021). Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action
of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. Advances in Therapy, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0
- Hayes, K., Davis, A., Zlomke, K., & Fruh, S. (2021). Importance of family connection for healthy weight behaviors amid adverse
family experiences and behavioral difficulties. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: JDBP. DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000954; PMID: 33908379
- McDermott, R. C., Fruh, S. M., Williams, S., Hauff, C., Sittig, S., Wright, T., Riley, B., Swanzy, D., Graves,
R. J., & Hall, H. (2021). Characteristics of negative and positive mental health among
nursing students in the United States. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 27(1), 44-53. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319865322; PubMed PMID: 31347437; PubMed
Central PMCID: PMC7094773. (*, #)
- Graves, R. J., Williams, S. G., Hauff, C., Fruh, S. M., Sims, B., Hudson, G. M., McDermott, R. C., Sittig, S., Shaw, T., Campbell, M., Barinas,
J. L., & Hall, H. R. (2020). Undergraduate versus graduate nursing students: Differences
in nutrition, physical activity, and self-reported body mass index. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1842421 (*, #)
- Hauff, C., Fruh, S. M., Sims, B. M., Williams, S. G., Herf, C., Golden, A., Graves, R. J., Minchew, L.A.,
& Hall, H. R. (2020). Nurse practitioner students’ observations of preceptor engagement
in obesity management and weight bias: A mixed methods approach. Journal of the American Association for Nurse Practitioners, 32(7), 520-529. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000440; PMID: 32590444; PMCID:
PMC7451910. (*, #)
- Fruh, S., Williams, S., Hayes, K., Hauff, C., Hudson, G. M., Sittig, S., Graves, R. J., Hall,
H., & Barinas, J. (2020). A practical approach to obesity prevention: Healthy home
habits. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000556; PMID: 33534281
(*, #)
- Hayes, K., Williams, S. G., Fruh, S., Graves, R. J., Minchew, L. A., & Hall, H. R. (2020). Sleep, screen time, and family
meal frequency in preschool children: A pilot study. The Nurse Practitioner, 45(8), 35-41. http://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000681788.13417.56; PMID: 32701879; PMCID:
PMC7451921 (*, #)
See More
- Hudson, G. M., Hauff, C. R., Hayes, K., Fruh, S. M. (2020). An NP’s guide to current physical activity recommendations. The Nurse Practitioner, 45(9), 24-32. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000694708.74213.53 (*, #)
- McDermott, R. C., Fruh, S. M., Williams, S., Hauff, C., Graves, R. J., Melnyk, B. M., & Hall, H. R. (2020). Nursing
students’ resilience, depression, well-being, and academic distress: Testing a moderated
mediation model. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(12), 3385-3397. https://doi.org/10.111/jan.14531; PMID: 33009859; PMCID: PMC7962244
- Sittig S., Hauff C., Graves R. J., Williams, S. G., McDermott, R. C., Fruh, S., Hall H., Campbell, M., Swanzy, D., Wright T., & Hudson G. M. (2020). Characteristics
of and factors influencing college nursing students' willingness to utilize mHealth
for health promotion. CIN Computer Informatics, Nursing, 38(5), 246-255. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000600; PubMed PMID: 32032084;
PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7211113.
- Bydalek, K., Williams, S. G., Fruh, S. M., Sims, B. M., McCardle, J., Minchew, L. A., Graves, R. J., Elkins, J. C., Jones,
L., & Sittig, S. (2020). Food insecurity among nursing students: A mixed methods study.
Nursing Forum, 55(4), 547-552. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12460; PMID: 32446290.
- Olson, E., Fruh, S., & Kleinpell, R. (2020). Electronic primary care to specialist referral: A pilot
project to evaluate referral expedience and efficacy. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(4), 318-323. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000377; PMID: 32097191. (*)
- Culp-Roche, A., Hampton, D., Hensley, A., Wilson, J., Thaxton-Wiggins, A., Otts, J.
A., Fruh, S., & Moser, D. K. (2020). Generational differences in faculty and student comfort with
technology use. SAGE Open Nursing, 6. https://doi.org/10.1177/2377960820941394
- Hampton, D., Culp-Roche, A., Hensley, A., Wilson, J., Otts, J. A., Thaxton-Wiggins,
A., Fruh, S., & Moser, D. K. (2020). Self-efficacy and satisfaction with teaching in online courses.
Nurse Educator, 45(6), 302-306. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000000805
- Fruh, S. M., Golden, A., Graves, R. J., Minchew, L. A., Platt, T. H., Hall, H. R., Williams,
S. G., Mehari, K., Sims, B. M., Hauff, C., & Cheese, C. (2019). Competency in obesity
management: An educational intervention study with nurse practitioner students. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(12), 734-740. https://doi.org/10.1097/Jxx.0000000000218; PubMed PMID: 31169791; PubMed
Central PMCID: PMC7094771.
- Fruh, S. M., Golden, A., Graves, R. J., Hall, H. R., Minchew, L. A., & Williams, S. (2019). Advanced
practice nursing student knowledge in obesity management: A mixed methods research
study. Nurse Education Today, 77, 59-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.03.006; PubMed PMID: 30954857; PubMed
Central PMCID: PMC6564685.
- Hauff, C., Fruh, S. M., Graves, R. J., Sims, B. M., Williams, S. G., Minchew, L. A., Hall, H. R., Platt,
T. H., & Barclay, M. (2019). NP student encounters with obesity bias in clinical practice.
The Nurse Practitioner, 44(6), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000558157.76596.c7; PubMed PMID: 31107807;
PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6613797.
- Jones, L., Williams, S. G., Fruh, S., Elkins, C., & Bydalek, K. (2019). African American women’s perceptions of cardiovascular
disease after myocardial infarction: A phenomenological inquiry. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 34(5), 503-510. https://doi.org/10.1097/jcn.0000000000000614 PMID: 31498163.
- Elkins, C., Fruh, S., Jones, L., & Bydalek, K. (2019). Clinical practice recommendations for pediatric
dyslipidemia. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 33(4), 494-504. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.02.009; PubMed PMID: 31227123
- Elkins, C., & Fruh, S. M., (2019). Early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(2), 18-24. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000552677.31028.57; PubMed PMID: 30614895. (#)
- Williams, S. G., McDermott, R., Fruh, S., Graves, R., Hall, H., Wright, T., Swanzy, D., & Carter, C. (2018). Nursing students'
satisfaction with daily life: A holistic approach. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(12), 751-755. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20181119-09; PubMed PMID: 30512113;
PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6578587. (*, #)
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M. S., Crook, E., Hall, H. R., Adams, J., & Lemley, T. (2018). The family
meal challenge: A faith-based intervention to empower families. Journal of Christian Nursing, 35(3), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000503 PubMed #29863515. NIHMSID
951224.
- Elkins, C., Gunn, J., Jones, L., Taylor, T., Bydalek, K., & Fruh, S. M. (2018). Risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the South Asian
Population. 1-4. Online Journal. https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/cardiovascular-disease-information-center/risk-factors-for-atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-in-the-south-asian-population/article/802550/
- Fruh, S. M. (2017). Obesity: Risk factors, complications, and strategies for sustainable long-term
weight management. Journal American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 20 (supp1); S3-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12510; PubMed PMID: 29024553; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6088226.
- Hall, H., Fruh, S. M., Zlomke, K. R., & Swingle, H. (2017). A qualitative analysis of the experience of
minority parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, 1(2), 79-88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41252-017-0015-7
- Fruh, S. M., Nadglowski, J., Hall, H. R., Davis, S. L., Crook, E. D., & Zlomke, K. (2016). Obesity
stigma and bias. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(7), 425-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.05.013; PMCID: PMC5386399; PubMed
PMID: 28408862
- Abesamis, C. J., & Fruh, S. M., Hall, H. R., Lemley, T., & Zlomke. R. (2015). Cardiovascular health of Filipinos in
the United States: A review of the literature. The Journal for Transcultural Nursing, 27(5), 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659615597040; PubMed PMID: 26665867 (*)
- Rheaume, J., & Fruh, S. M. (2015) Retrospective case reviews of adult inpatient falls in the acute care setting.
MEDSURG Nursing, 24(5), 318-324. PubMed PMID: 26665867 (*)
- Tyler, J. M., Fruh, S. M., & Mulekar, M. S. (2014). Pediatric obesity screening and prevention strategies.
The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(5), 199-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20140424-12; PubMed PMID: 24801582
(*)
- Fruh, S. M., & Greenblum, M. D. (2014). Nutrition update: Dietary protein. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 10(4), 249-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.02.003
- Fruh, S. M., & Fulkerson, J. A. (2014). Calorie awareness related to weight control. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(1), 10-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20140103-13; PubMed PMID: 24422484
- Lopez-Campbell, T., & Fruh, S. M. (2014). A quality improvement project: The development and implementation of a culturally
specific chronic kidney disease education program in the Hispanic Population. Nephrology Nursing, 41(2), 204. (*)
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M. S., Hall, H. R., Adams, B. S., Lemley, J. R., Evans, B., & Dierking,
J. (2013). Meal-planning practices with individuals in health disparity zip codes.
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 9(6), 344-349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2013.03.016; PMCID: PMC3718071; PubMed
PMID: 23888126 (*)
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M. S., Hall, H. R., Fulkerson, J. A., Hanks, R., Lemley, T., Evans, B.,
& Dierking, J. (2013). Perspectives of community health advocates: Barriers to healthy
eating patterns. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 9(7), 416-421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2013.04.010; PMCID: PMC3805664; PubMed
PMID: 24163643
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M., & Dierking, J. (2013). Guiding patients to safe weight loss. The Nurse Practitioner, 38(10), 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000434093.41971.e4; PubMed PMID: 24042357
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M. S., Hall, H. R., & Fulkerson J. (2013). Perspectives and observations
of graduate nursing students related to family meals. Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 9(1) 17-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2012.11.004
- Fruh, S. M., Mulekar, M., Hall, H., Fulkerson, J., King, A., Jezek, K., & Roussel, L. (2012).
Benefits of family meals with adolescents: Nurse practitioners' perspective. The Journal of Nurse Practitioners, 8(4), 280-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.09.026
- Fruh S. (2011). The power of our words. Journal of Christian Nursing, 28(3), 131. doi: 10.1097/cnj.0b013e31821eb43f. PubMed PMID: 21853712.
- Fruh, S. M., Fulkerson, J., Mulekar, M., Kendrick, L., & Clanton, C. (2011). CEU article: The
surprising benefits of the family meal. The Journal of Nurse Practitioners, 7(1) 18-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2010.04.017
- Fruh, S., & Jezek, K. (2010). Save a Life Save the World. Journal of Christian Nursing, 27(1), 43-45. doi: 10.1097/01.cnj.0000365991.77216.4e; PubMed PMID: 20088296
- Potempa, K., Babich, K., Fruh, S. M., & Fogg, L. (2007) Blood pressure and mood responses in hypertensive patients on
antihypertensive medications. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 211-218. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7599.1993.tb0087.x
- Reed, D., & Fruh, S. M. (2003). Skin manifestation in the newborn: Differentiation and diagnosis. Advanced for Nurse Practitioners, 11(7) 79-81. PubMed PMID: 12886742
- Ryan, J., Semack, J., Fruh, S. M., & Tannehill, C. (2000). A 17-year-old girl with odynophagia and Weight Loss. Clinical Reviews, 10(5), 101-107. (*)
- Peugot, A., Anderson, C. V., & Fruh, S. M. (1999). Teenage tobacco use. The Nurse Practitioner, 24(9), 66-69. PubMed PMID: 10507072 (*)
- Herf, C., Nicholas, J., Fruh, S. M., Holloway, B., & Anderson. K. (1998). Meningococcal disease: Recognition, treatment,
and prevention. The Nurse Practitioner, 13(8), 30-46. PubMed PMID: 9718600 (*)
- Hart, N., McCloud, M, & Fruh, S. M. (1997). Cardiovascular disease in women with diabetes: Strategies for reducing its
toll. Advance for Nurse Practitioners, 5(8), 32-36. PubMed PMID: 9459952 (*)
- Lipton, R., Fruh, S. M., Allen, P., & Casillas, S. (1995). Health behaviors and diabetes risk factors among
American Indians in an urban setting. The IHS Primary Care Provider, 19(12), 192-195.
- Potempa, K., Babich, K., Fruh, S. M., & Fogg, L. (1993). Blood pressure and mood responses of hypertensive patients on
anti-hypertensive medication. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 5(5), 211-218. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.1993.tb00874.x; PubMed PMID: 8240880
- Fruh, S. M. (1987). Nutrition and exercise program for Urban Indians. Public Health Report, p. 558.
- Fruh, S. M. (1985). Pediatric management problem (colic). Pediatric Nursing, 11(2), 135-136. PubMed PMID: 3845445
Teaching
- Dr. Fruh coordinates the Nursing Honors Program.
- Dr. Fruh mentors doctoral students with publications, scholarship, and grant writing.