Alumni news briefs

New Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Program

This summer the School of Nursing welcomes its first class in the new Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (D.N.P.-F.N.P.) Degree Program, a post-baccalaureate offering that prepares new family nurse practitioners. The three-year hybrid program combines distance-based education with on-campus immersions to prepare advanced practice providers who engage in patient and family-centered, evidence-based primary care. Like other School of Nursing programs, D.N.P.-F.N.P. is led by the interprofessional Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Group, a team of more than 60 faculty from across UC Davis. Other Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Degrees include a Doctor of Philosophy, Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, and a master’s-degree program for physician assistant studies.

Honored for Excellence in Diversity

The School of Nursing was one of only 50 U.S. health professions colleges and universities identified as a recipient of the 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine last fall. The award honors outstanding examples of higher-ed schools committed to making diversity and inclusion a top priority.

WHA establishes first endowed professorship

A gift from Western Health Advantage announced last fall will create the first endowed professorship at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. The inaugural holder of the Western Health Advantage Endowed Professorship is Associate Dean for Research Janice F. Bell, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.N., F.A.A.N., nationally recognized for distinguished scholarship in health and caregiving research. The $1 million endowed professorship establishes a five-year term and supports a mid-career or senior faculty member whose specialty advances health through nursing education, research, practice and leadership.

Grant paves way for research

Julie Bidwell, Ph.D., R.N., an assistant professor in the Family Caregiving Institute at the School of Nursing, received a three-year, $450,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund her study of hospital-to-home transitions for older adult couples who are managing heart failure. School leaders say Bidwell’s success is important to the young school’s success in growing its research programs.

Diversity leader Academy of Nursing Education fellow

Professor and associate dean for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Piri Ackerman-Barger, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., F.A.A.N., was among 19 distinguished nurse educators inducted last year into the National League for Nursing (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. Ackerman-Barger leads the School of Nursing’s efforts to create a diverse and welcoming setting in which to learn, work and collaborate.

Editor’s note: School of Nursing class notes will return next issue.