Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Celebrates 11 New Fellows and Awards

Thirteen members of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) community have received prestigious honors from the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for their significant contributions to health policy and nursing education. Among these accolades, eleven faculty and alumni have been selected for fellowship, affirming their impact on global health and nursing practices.

New Inductees Recognized for Excellence

The 2025 inductees from JHSON include notable faculty such as Laura Lucas, Shawna Mudd, and Shaquita Starks. Lucas serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Nursing Program, while Mudd is an Associate Professor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Starks, an Associate Professor, directs the PMHNP track.

In addition to faculty, several distinguished alumni were also honored. These include Ivy Latoja Pacis, an adjunct faculty member at JHSON, and Nakia C. Best from the University of California, Irvine, among others. Their diverse backgrounds and accomplishments highlight the breadth of talent within the JHSON network.

Acknowledging Pioneering Contributions

The American Academy of Nursing also named Phyllis Sharps, professor emerita at JHSON, a 2025 Living Legend. This title is awarded to Fellows who have made extraordinary contributions to nursing and global health. Dr. Sharps is renowned for her research on intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women. Her innovative Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE) intervention, funded by the National Institutes of Health, has transformed public health nursing practices regarding IPV identification and response.

Moreover, the AAN presented its President’s Award to Patricia Davidson, former Dean of JHSON and current Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. This award recognizes her lifelong dedication to improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.

“These recognitions from the American Academy of Nursing honor the remarkable breadth and depth of excellence within the Hopkins Nursing community,” stated Sarah L. Szanton, Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Szanton emphasized that each honoree embodies the innovation, compassion, and leadership that define JHSON and contribute to the advancement of health and nursing worldwide.

The formal induction of the new Fellows and the presentation of awards occurred during the AAN’s Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. on October 18, 2025.

Located in Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is recognized as a leader in nursing education, research, and practice. According to U.S. News & World Report, the school ranks first nationally for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and second for its master’s program. Additionally, QS World University ranks JHSON as the third-best nursing school globally.

For more information about JHSON and its initiatives, visit www.nursing.jhu.edu.