This year marks an important milestone for the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, our theme — 15 Years: Shaping What’s Next in Health Care — invites us to reflect on how far we have come and where we are headed.
When the school opened in 2010, it began with a bold vision: to prepare leaders who could transform care, advance research and drive meaningful system change. That vision continues to guide us today. Through our students, alumni, faculty and partners, the school has grown into a community focused on improving health across California and beyond.
As we look to the future, we are refreshing our strategic plan to reflect where health care is going. Our goal is clear — to prepare clinicians, providers and researchers who are clinically excellent, adaptable and ready to meet California’s workforce needs from the moment they enter practice.
Workforce readiness remains at the center of everything we do. Our programs emphasize real-world experience, strong clinical preparation and research that reflects the needs of the communities we serve. California’s health care landscape includes major academic health systems, rural communities and underserved populations with significant barriers to care. Preparing a workforce that can meet those varied needs requires thoughtful collaboration and innovation.
That preparation extends beyond nursing. We educate advanced practice providers who play a critical role across the health care system – expanding access, improving coordination and helping to meet growing demand.
That is where our partnership with UC Davis Health becomes essential. Together, we are building programs that respond directly to workforce challenges and patient needs.
One example is our new certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program. UC Davis Health made a significant investment to launch this effort, and together we developed a loan forgiveness program that allows graduates to commit to working within the health system after training.
Innovation is also taking shape through our new presence at Aggie Square in Sacramento. This $1.1 billion innovation district brings together UC Davis researchers, private industry and emerging technology companies to spark collaboration and new ideas.
For the School of Nursing, this moment presents an important opportunity to ensure that clinicians help shape how tools such as artificial intelligence can support better outcomes. Technologies like AI can act as a copilot, helping to reduce administrative burden and support decision-making. At the same time, they must be implemented in ways that are ethical, unbiased and patient-centered.
Our collaboration with health system leaders continues to grow stronger. Earlier this year, UC Davis Health’s new vice chancellor joined us for an all-school summit. His visit reinforced the importance of alignment and how education, research and clinical care must move forward together.
Our faculty also continue to demonstrate global reach. For example, we celebrate Associate Professor Charleen Singh, the first School of Nursing faculty member to be named a Fulbright Scholar.
As we celebrate 15 years, we are grateful for the faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners who bring our mission to life. Their dedication reflects the vision of philanthropist Betty Irene Moore, whose investment created a school built on innovation, leadership and service.
The work ahead will require imagination, collaboration and willingness to move beyond traditional boundaries. But if the past 15 years have shown us anything, it is that when we work together with shared purpose, we can shape a healthier future for all.
