Christina M Bricker, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAHA,

Christina Bricker, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAHA, is an academic nurse leader with over 20 years of experience, dedicated to advancing nursing practice, education, and leadership. A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Bricker serves as the FNP Specialty Director and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Nursing, where she leads curriculum design, program development, and the mentorship of future nurse practitioners.

As a committed academic nurse leader, Dr. Bricker works to shape the future of the nursing profession by integrating evidence-based practice, clinical excellence, and innovative teaching. She plays a key role in preparing nurse practitioners to meet the evolving needs of healthcare while advocating for the unique contributions of nurses across care settings.

Dr. Bricker maintains an active clinical practice at UF Health Archer Family Health Care, a nurse-led rural health clinic delivering comprehensive primary care to underserved populations in North Central Florida. Her ongoing work as a nurse practitioner grounds her academic role in real-world experience and strengthens her commitment to health equity and community-based care.

Her professional background spans rural, urban, and free clinic settings, where she has led interprofessional teams, advanced quality improvement initiatives, and championed access to evidence-based care.

As a nurse scientist, Dr. Bricker’s research focuses on cardiovascular health. She has received NIH funding (NRSA 1-F31-NR012347) and completed advanced training through the NIH Summer Genetics Institute and the American Heart Association’s 10-Day Seminar on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology. A Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA), she is deeply committed to advancing nursing leadership, driving innovation, and integrating research, education, and practice to improve health outcomes and educate the next generation of nurses.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0378-9169