Dr. Hamilton earned her BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a BS in Accounting from North Carolina Central University, and postdoctoral training in the nursing care of older adults at the Oregon Health & Science University. She previously held faculty positions at Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was tenured Associate Professor.  Dr. Hamilton’s research interests include health disparities, social and cultural factors that influence health, and the coping strategies used among older African American cancer survivors and their families.  She has developed measures of coping and spirituality and has conducted research to examine ways sociocultural factors influence how older African Americans use social support and spirituality.

Briefly, tell us about a research project you’re working on...

I am currently working on a compilation of stories that document the personal experiences of African Americans and ways that Black Sacred Music is used in response to current day struggles.

What is one thing you hope your work can offer humanity by the end of your career?

I hope that my work will be recognized as making a significant contribution to the body of historical and cultural literature on the religious tradition of African Americans.

If you could go back in time and offer yourself some advice early in your career, what would you say?

Don’t seek permission to follow your passion.

What do you enjoy most about being at Emory Nursing?

I am permitted to engage in work that is meaningful to providing optimal health care of an underserved population. We take this for granted but not all of our nursing colleagues have this freedom.