Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN
With an awareness of the personal and contextual factors that increase sexual minority populations’ vulnerability for HIV/STI infection and poor care-related outcomes, the first study Dr. Flores led investigated the conditions that contributed to the recent HIV infection of young gay men in Atlanta.
That study has fueled his subsequent HIV prevention work that includes both urban and rural community education, being a national spokesperson for HIV testing campaigns, and workforce development with around 1000 nurses across three continents. His commitment to HIV/AIDS care and leadership throughout his career includes serving in various leadership roles for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
“Nurses across a variety of care settings have a tremendous capacity to positively impact the health of sexual minority youth and their families. My work at Penn Nursing is focused on formulating an array of sexuality-inclusive interventions that will result in better family dynamics to minimize sexual minority youth’s risks for adverse health outcomes. By focusing on assisting parents and sexual minority youth form risk-averse behaviors during childhood and adolescence, we will be able to make a dent in addressing the health disparities associated with this population.”
Education
- PhD, Duke University, 2016
- MSN, Emory University, 2012
- BSN, Kennesaw State University, 2006
Social Justice
Dr. Flores’ research is focused on articulating the family’s role as a proximal sexuality and mental health resource for adolescents who identify as LGBTQ. This youth population has disproportionately been affected by HIV/STI infections, suicidality, depression and a host of other negative health outcomes. His team’s work at Penn Nursing is rooted in the commitment that, to eliminate these longstanding health issues, parents and the institutions they routinely interface with (e.g. schools, local government) can effectively provide LGBTQ-inclusive health education tailored to youths’ emerging attractions, behaviors, and/or sexual and gender identities. Countering hetero- and cisgender-normative ways of parenting and teaching is the first step to allowing LGBTQ youth to thrive and achieve their fullest potentials.
Teaching
Dr. Flores is part of the teaching teams for Psychological and Social Diversity in Health and Wellness (NURS 103) and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health: Community Engagement Immersion (NURS 354). He serves as guest lecturer on LGBTQ health and research issues, conducting qualitative research, and nursing care for people and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
Research
Dr. Flores has been involved in several studies focused on preventing HIV and STI transmission among sexual minority youth. His current research investigates the role of parents in the sexual health education of their adolescent sons who identify as gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ). Through inclusive parent-child sex communication, he believes that the early provision of sexual health information attuned to the attractions, behavior, and identities of GBQ adolescents will reduce the formation of risky sexual behavior and their likelihood for HIV and STI infection.
Opportunities to Learn and Collaborate at Penn Nursing
Dr. Flores collaborates with interdisciplinary teams within and beyond Penn Nursing to conduct prevention and clinical research focused on reducing the risks of sexual minority youth and other populations for HIV and STI infections. Dr. Flores is also part of the Program for Sexuality, Technology and Action Research that seeks to identify innovative strategies to inform LGBTQ-focused sexual health promotion interventions.
Selected Career Highlights
- 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health, The 2018 National Minority Quality Forum,Congressional Black Caucus, Spring Health Braintrust. Washington, DC
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Awardee, 2017 Forever Duke Student Leadership Award, Duke University Alumni
Association - Co-Awardee, President’s Award, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 2016 National Conference
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Awardee, Beverly C. Flynn Public Health Nursing Mentoring Program,
Public Health Nursing Section, American Public Health Association - Awardee, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Duke University Graduate School
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