Johns Hopkins Nursing Celebrates 13 Honors, Including Living Legend

URGENT UPDATE: Thirteen distinguished faculty and alumni from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) have been honored by the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for their outstanding contributions to health and nursing education worldwide. This remarkable recognition includes 11 new fellows, a prestigious Living Legend title, and the Academy’s highest honor, the President’s Award.

The honors were officially announced during the AAN’s Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. on October 18, 2025. Among the newly inducted fellows are esteemed faculty such as Laura Lucas, DNP, and Shawna Mudd, DNP, who have made significant strides in nursing education and practice.

The list of new fellows also features accomplished alumni like Ivy Latoja Pacis, DNP, and Nakia C. Best, PhD, showcasing a diverse array of expertise and dedication within the nursing community. Each recipient has demonstrated exceptional commitments to advancing health policies and education across various platforms.

In a groundbreaking achievement, Phyllis Sharps, PhD, was named a 2025 Living Legend. Renowned for her pioneering research on intimate partner violence (IPV), Dr. Sharps developed the transformative Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE) intervention, funded by the National Institutes of Health. Her work has dramatically changed how public health nurses approach IPV, further enriching the field of nursing and global health.

Additionally, the Academy honored Patricia Davidson, PhD, with the President’s Award for her lifelong contributions to improving community health. Davidson, a former Dean at JHSON, now serves as Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, where she continues to influence health systems globally.

“This recognition reflects the extraordinary accomplishments within the Hopkins Nursing community,” stated Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, Dean of JHSON. “From our newest fellows to our Living Legend and President’s Award honoree, each exemplifies the innovation and leadership that drives our mission to advance health and nursing worldwide.”

This prestigious acknowledgment not only highlights the individuals involved but underscores the importance of nursing in shaping health policies and practices today. The accomplishments of JHSON faculty and alumni reinforce the school’s position as a leader in nursing education and research, celebrated for its excellence and commitment to global health.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing continues to lead in transformative health initiatives and education.