UTMB School of Nursing News

As the seasons shift from winter, now into spring, and soon to summer, it is a visual reminder that each season brings a sense of renewal and opportunities to grow.

This is our favorite time of the year because in April, we graduate over 500 students who will go on to become first time nurses or become leaders in their field of interest. And this season is a time to reflect on what we have accomplished collectively, as a school, while also understanding that this is an individual new beginning for each of our graduates, no matter their path.

We are so proud of our UTMB SON, and we hope this season brings you the opportunity to reflect on your accomplishments and a bright beginning to start on your next goal, whatever that may be.

RAPID RISE IN NATIONAL RESEARCH RANKINGS

Darpan Patel, PhD

Assistant Dean, Translational Science

Interim Vice Dean for Research and Scholarship

The UTMB School of Nursing's rank increased to #38 by the National Institutes of Health, moving up from last year’s position #44.

Our improvement in the Blue Ridge rankings demonstrates the outstanding high-impact research conducted by our scientists that are contributing to our communities and beyond. It signifies the recognition by NIH that our research is improving the health of diverse populations around the world.

In 2023, UTMB School of Nursing solidified more than $2.3M in grants from the National Institutes of Health, focusing on violence prevention, reducing disparities with those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, and other meaningful projects that will positively impact generations.

SNRS Conference Representation

UTMB School of Nursing faculty and students represented our school at the 2024 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Conference. A special shoutout to DeMonica Junious, Mini Jose, Darpan Patel, Judson LaGrone, and Juan Feng for presenting on their recent research projects and Elizabeth Lorenzo for serving on the SNRS Program Committee!

Tenure Track Research Positions Open

The UTMB School of Nursing is committed to enabling its rich interdisciplinary

research ecosystem for the creation and application of innovative methods to expand

research efforts and position our school as a premier nursing research institution.

Biobehavioral Research Focus

Areas of specialization are welcomed in aging and aging related conditions, metabolic health, cardiovascular health, symptom science, social determinants of health and health disparities.

Candidates at the assistant professor level must possess a research doctorate, have evidence of post-doctoral training, and strong potential for an actively funded program of research. Candidates at the associate and full professor level should have evidence of a sustained, extramurally funded program of research and strong track record of publications commensurate with the rank they are seeking.

Symptom Science/Oncology

Research Focus

Candidates should have a doctoral degree and post-doctoral

training in a relevant discipline with a strong record of oncology academic research, and demonstrated capacity to publish and secure external funding.

The ideal candidate is a team player in interdisciplinary research and eager to engage with a collaborative team of oncology clinicians, researchers, statisticians, informaticians, and nurse scientists on multiple projects with the shared goal to reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.

If interested, please click here to email Dr. Patel

Faculty in the Spotlight

Adrian Juarez, PhD, RN, submitted a grant application entitled, “Using Playback Theatre with a Group of Economically Marginalized PLWH to Assess Positive Impacts on Quality of Life and Anxiety Indicators” to the UTMB Institute for Translational Sciences (ITS) Community Health Small Grant Program and was awarded $10,000. Congratulations, Dr. Juarez!

Amber High, DNP, APRN, CRNA, NC-BC, joined The Texas Nurses Podcast by Texas Nurses Association in March. Dr. High sits down with the host, Dr. Laura Kincheloe, in the podcast episode titled The Power of Peer Support.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple

On left is Chief Nurse Officer, RDML Jennifer Moon, of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Student Engagement

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) student, Ashley Reed, represented the UTMB School of Nursing in Washington, DC in March for the 2024 AACN Student Policy Summit. “I had an incredible experience and am so thankful for this opportunity to represent our UTMB School of Nursing,” said Ashley. “I learned so much and cannot wait to continue advocating for nursing.”

The AACN Student Policy Summit is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in didactic program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy.

SAVE THE DATE

School of Nursing Commencement

The 2024 UTMB School of Nursing (SON) Commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, April 19 at Moody Gardens Convention Center. We are thrilled to celebrate this exciting milestone with our 522 graduates, their families and supporters. Our graduates will join a proud network of more than 15,500 SON alumni worldwide.