Johns Hopkins Nursing Community Celebrated with Multiple Honors

Faculty and alumni from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) have received significant recognition from the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for their impactful contributions to nursing and health policy. On October 18, 2025, during the AAN’s Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., eleven individuals associated with JHSON were inducted as Fellows, highlighting their remarkable achievements in advancing healthcare and nursing education.

Among the newly inducted Fellows are three faculty members from JHSON: Laura Lucas, DNP, APRN-CNS, RNC-OB, C-EFM, who serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Nursing Program; Shawna Mudd, DNP, MBA, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CNE, an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; and Shaquita Starks, PhD, PMHNP-BC, an Associate Professor and Track Director for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.

The alumni honored as Fellows include a diverse group of professionals, such as Ivy Latoja Pacis, DNP, MSN, MHA, FACHE, CNE, NE-BC, CPHQ, CCRN-CMC, who is affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network, and Balkys Bivins, PhD, PMHNP-BC, an Adjunct Faculty member at JHSON. Other notable inductees are Nakia C. Best, PhD, RN, from the University of California Irvine; Sondra Leiggi Brandon, DNP, MBA, MPH, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC, APRN, from Queen’s Health Systems; and Carolyn Dickens, PhD, MBA, ACNP-BC, CNP-FPA, FAANP, FHFSA, from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN, was named a 2025 Living Legend by the AAN. Dr. Sharps is renowned for her pioneering research on intimate partner violence among pregnant and parenting women. Her Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE) intervention, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, has revolutionized public health nursing responses to intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Throughout her career, Dr. Sharps has actively advanced health equity and provided mentorship to countless students and faculty.

The AAN also awarded its prestigious President’s Award to Patricia Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN, the former Dean of JHSON. Currently serving as the Vice Chancellor’s Fellow and Interim Co-Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, she was honored for her lifelong dedication to enhancing the health of individuals and communities globally.

“The recognitions from the American Academy of Nursing honor the remarkable breadth and depth of excellence within the Hopkins Nursing community,” stated Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “From our newest Fellows to our Living Legend and President’s Award honoree, each represents the spirit of innovation, compassion, and leadership that defines our school and advances the future of health and nursing around the world.”

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 programs. Additionally, it holds the third position worldwide according to QS World University rankings for nursing schools. JHSON has also received the INSIGHT Into Academia Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Distinction (HEED) Award eight times and has been recognized six times as a Best School for Men in Nursing. For more information, visit www.nursing.jhu.edu.