As it celebrates 70 years of advancing nursing education, research and practice, the University of Florida College of Nursing has been named one of the nation’s first recipients of the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Program of Excellence for Research-Focused Doctoral Programs Award, a prestigious new recognition honoring exemplary PhD programs in nursing education..
The designation places the UF College of Nursing among a select group of nursing schools nationwide recognized for exemplary doctoral education and reinforces the college’s national leadership in nursing research, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The recognition reflects the college’s longstanding commitment to advancing nursing science through discovery, mentorship and research that improves lives. As Florida’s first PhD program in nursing science, established in 1984, the college has spent more than four decades preparing researchers whose work influences clinical practice, health policy and patient outcomes across the globe.
“This recognition reflects the University of Florida College of Nursing’s unwavering commitment to advancing nursing science and preparing the next generation of nurse scientists,” said Shakira Henderson DNP, MS, MPH, MBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, dean, chief administrative officer and Linda Harman Aiken Chair of the UF College of Nursing, as well as system chief nurse executive and associate vice president for nursing education, practice and research for UF Health. “Our PhD faculty and students are dedicated to conducting innovative research that improves patient care, informs health policy and addresses some of the most pressing health challenges facing our communities.”
As one of only three Association of American Universities institutions in Florida and home to one of the nation’s leading academic health centers, the University of Florida provides doctoral nursing students with an exceptional environment for interdisciplinary research. Faculty collaborate across UF Health, the McKnight Brain Institute, UF Health Cancer Center, UF Genetics Institute, Institute on Aging and numerous university-wide research initiatives to address some of health care’s most pressing challenges.
The NLN selected the inaugural honorees from among research-focused doctoral programs that demonstrate excellence in cultivating nursing research, supporting student success and producing scholarly work that advances the scientific community and improves public health.
“We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding PhD programs and expect with excitement the scholarly contributions by the students and nurse faculty scientists whose research will advance the health of the nation and global community,” said Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the National League for Nursing Board of Governors.
There are currently fewer than 150 research-focused doctoral programs in U.S. colleges of nursing. Through the new award, the NLN seeks to encourage institutions to prioritize nursing science and expand the pipeline of nurse scientists whose research drives evidence-based practice, influences health policy and improves patient outcomes.
The College of Nursing’s PhD program emphasizes individualized faculty mentorship, scientific rigor and interdisciplinary collaboration while preparing graduates to become scholars, educators and innovators. Research spans symptom science, oncology, maternal and child health, chronic disease, palliative care, precision health, implementation science, health equity, artificial intelligence and data science, equipping graduates to lead discoveries in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
“This designation recognizes years of intentional investment in creating a research environment where doctoral students thrive,” said Debra Lyon, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Kirbo Endowed Chair and professor, who led the college’s successful application. “Our students learn to ask bold questions, embrace emerging technologies, collaborate across disciplines and generate evidence that transforms nursing practice. We are preparing scientists whose discoveries will improve health outcomes for generations to come.”
The designation aligns with the college’s strategic plan, Elevate 2029, which positions research as a catalyst for transforming health and advancing the nursing profession. Guided by its strategic framework — Care for People. Lead the Way. Inspire the World. Boldly Advancing Excellence. — The college continues to expand research opportunities, strengthen academic-clinical partnerships, and prepare leaders equipped to solve increasingly complex health challenges.
Founded in 1956, the UF College of Nursing was the first in Florida to establish both a nurse practitioner program and a PhD program in nursing science. Today, the college serves more than 1,100 students across campuses in Gainesville and Jacksonville while maintaining nationally recognized academic programs, a robust research enterprise and a fully integrated relationship with UF Health that accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into patient care.
Receiving the NLN Center of Excellence designation during the college’s 70th anniversary underscores a legacy of innovation while reinforcing its vision to be a global catalyst for nursing excellence and transformative health. As the college looks toward the future, it remains committed to preparing bold nurse scientists whose discoveries will shape health care, influence policy and improve lives in Florida and beyond.