Cheryl Giscombé, Ph.D., R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., F.A.A.N.

Dr. Cheryl Woods Giscombé, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, MSN Division and Programs in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received a BA in psychology from North Carolina Central University, a BS in nursing and a PhD in social-health psychology from Stony Brook University, and a MSN from the psychiatric nurse practitioner program at UNC Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on stress-related health behaviors, psychoneuroendocrine biomarkers, and sociocultural contextual factors that contribute to health disparities in African Americans. She developed the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework which explicates how obligations to present an image of strength and provide support for family members, friends, and the community may contribute to emotional suppression, neglected self-care, stress exacerbation and stress-related morbidity in African American women including obesity, diabetes, lupus, depression, and substance abuse. Recently she has led an NIH-funded research project examining the influence of mindfulness meditation on stress and health in African American adults with pre-diabetes. She aims to develop and implement culturally-relevant stress management interventions that can be widely adopted in community and healthcare settings. In addition to her research, Dr. Giscombé established a mental health program at the nurse-managed health center where she currently practices.