UCF Pegasus Partner Orlando Health has named , dean of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing, the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing.

The prestigious endowed faculty position, which will support Tucker 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing research, teaching and scholarly activities, is just the latest example of how UCF is leveraging industry partnerships to drive real-world impact.

Tucker is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on the field, for nurses and patients alike. She is nationally board certified as an adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist and integrative nurse coach.

Her research, which has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented around the world, focuses on behavior change through mental health and wellness interventions and organizational change through evidence-based practice.

麻豆精品 S淲ith its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Sharon Tucker

麻豆精品 S淚 am incredibly honored to be named to this esteemed endowed position, and grateful for Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚 support of the college, 麻豆精品 S� says Tucker. 麻豆精品 S淧artnerships are powerful and with its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities. 麻豆精品 S�

In addition to the new endowed chair appointment, Tucker holds the prestigious distinctions of fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing.

Orlando Health has been a long-standing partner of UCF and the College of Nursing. The Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing was established in 2009, and Tucker is the second faculty member to be named to the appointment. It was formerly held by Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, the previous dean and a renowned critical care researcher.

Kelly Edmondson, Orlando Health 麻豆精品 S檚 senior vice president of nursing and patient care services, says the partnership speaks to the organization 麻豆精品 S檚 mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Tucker 麻豆精品 S檚 research supports our efforts to empower nurses and elevate clinical excellence to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care, 麻豆精品 S� Edmondson says. 麻豆精品 S淚t is an honor to continue to partner with UCF to strengthen the nursing workforce and create a healthier future for all. 麻豆精品 S�

In 2023, Orlando Health became one of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 inaugural Pegasus Partners with a $5 million commitment to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as well as provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for UCF nursing students.

to support the College of Nursing

Philanthropic support is critical to the creation of endowed faculty positions, helping UCF attract and retain nursing experts, and support groundbreaking research that impacts the profession and the health of communities. Help launch more faculty experts to lead nursing into the future by joining 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 Go for Launch campaign.

Elected leaders joined founding donors to celebrate the pavilion 麻豆精品 S檚 opening on 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 at Lake Nona. They gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the pavilion, which will help to address Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 critical nursing shortage. Fittingly for Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Premier Engineering and Technology University, the pavilion also features the latest in immersive modeling and simulation technologies.

“This facility will help strengthen Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier.” 麻豆精品 S� UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright

麻豆精品 S淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is a powerful example of what is possible when vision, community and partnership come together. Built with the generous support of state leaders, donors and health care champions, this facility will help strengthen Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淭ogether, we are fueling hands-on learning, enabling new research and discovery, and preparing generations of Knight Nurses who will have a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve. 麻豆精品 S�

With the opening, UCF will increase access to its accredited and nationally ranked nursing degree programs and graduate an additional 150 newly licensed nurses annually. These graduates will have a direct impact on the state. Of the 17,000 Knight nurse alumni, 85% live and work in Florida, and nearly 60% remain in Central Florida.

Located next to the College of Medicine and in Lake Nona 麻豆精品 S檚 Medical City, a nationally recognized hub of healthcare innovation, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will bolster interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare providers to thrive in the workforce and deploy cutting-edge research to solve the industry 麻豆精品 S檚 greatest challenges and ensure a healthier future for all.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson played a vital role as Senate President in securing about $43 million in state funding for the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, as well as additional funding for state university and state college nursing initiatives throughout Florida.

麻豆精品 S淲e worked very hard to secure the funding, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen you think about state-of the-art nursing, when you think about doubling the capacity of nursing, this couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 come at a better time. Florida is growing 400,000 people a year still. We 麻豆精品 S檙e going to continue to grow. 麻豆精品 S�

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the state continues to invest in key academic programs that set an example nationwide, 麻豆精品 S� says State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. 麻豆精品 S淭he new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at the University of Central Florida is no exception 麻豆精品 S� by providing innovative educational opportunities for nursing students now, Florida is ensuring a promising future of skilled nurses that will care for our communities. 麻豆精品 S�

The Power of Partnerships

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which came to fruition through $43 million from the State of Florida and over $29 million from private donors, will directly impact the community that created it and will be a longstanding symbol of what can be achieved through the power of community partnerships 麻豆精品 S� unleashing potential for generations to come.

麻豆精品 S淲e are honored to be part of this transformative moment for Central Florida, 麻豆精品 S� says Kenneth Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and the Dr. Phillips Foundation. 麻豆精品 S淭his investment will help address the nursing shortage, strengthen our healthcare system, and expand access to exceptional education and career opportunities. By supporting this project, we 麻豆精品 S檙e helping to graduate more Knight nurses who will make a lasting impact. We 麻豆精品 S檙e proud to stand with UCF and our community partners to shape a healthier, brighter future. 麻豆精品 S�

Founding donors of the facility also include the Helene Fuld Health Trust; UCF Pegasus Partners AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children 麻豆精品 S檚 Health and Addition Financial; Zaby and Suree Vyas; and many others.

麻豆精品 S淭oday we are witnessing the power of partnerships, 麻豆精品 S� says Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, who, as the previous College of Nursing dean, led the efforts to advocate and raise funds for the new building. 麻豆精品 S淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is the result of the collective efforts of UCF and this community to come together to solve one of our greatest healthcare challenges. We are incredibly grateful for the support, which will have an immeasurable impact for generations to come. 麻豆精品 S�

Inside the Future of Nursing

Every aspect of the 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility was thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and student success and well-being.

麻豆精品 S淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will serve as a catalyst for ensuring a brighter, healthier future, 麻豆精品 S� says new College of Nursing Dean Sharon Tucker. 麻豆精品 S淚n this space, UCF will strengthen and empower future nurses and nurse leaders to advance healthcare innovation and collaboration to improve evidence-based patient care and outcomes. 麻豆精品 S�

On the second and third floors is a hub of healthcare innovation, the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center. UCF is Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 first simulation center to earn three international accolades in the field and the new, expanded space will build upon its global leadership to innovate healthcare education using the latest immersive technologies to prepare nurses for practice as compassionate, skilled providers.

The second floor also features the Dr. Colleen Conway Welch Virtual Reality Learning Studio, a makerspace design studio to accelerate nurse-led innovations, a home health apartment to meet growing demand for home-based healthcare, and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation Healthy Aging Research Lab for interdisciplinary research and innovations led by renowned aging expert Ladda Thiamwong.

Upon entering the pavilion, students, faculty, staff and visitors are greeted with the inspiring 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� public art commissioned by Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Art in State Building program. The first floor also includes three large high-tech learning studios, the Zaby and Suree Vyas Collaboration Concourse, the Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation Study Cafe and a student success suite.

The opening comes a little over a year and a half after the groundbreaking in January 2024. UCF built the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in conjunction with HuntonBrady Architects, Ayers Saint Gross and DPR Construction.

鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 Industry Partners Highlight Transformational Impact

AdventHealth

麻豆精品 S淎t AdventHealth, we 麻豆精品 S檝e seen firsthand the extraordinary caliber of nurses who graduate from UCF. They bring clinical excellence, compassion and an unwavering commitment to their patients 麻豆精品 S� values that perfectly align with our mission to provide whole-person care. As the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow, we 麻豆精品 S檙e happy to support this exciting new chapter for the UCF College of Nursing. And as a UCF alum, I 麻豆精品 S檓 excited to welcome even more outstanding Knight nurses to AdventHealth. 麻豆精品 S�

-Cathy Stankiewicz, (MSN 麻豆精品 S�11), chief nursing officer, Central Florida Division

Helene Fuld Health Trust

麻豆精品 S淭he Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center at UCF exemplifies our mission to support the education of nursing students. Simulation is a critical component [of] nursing education and will continue to be in the future, and we 麻豆精品 S檙e proud to make this investment to strengthen nursing skills and improve the welfare of our communities. 麻豆精品 S�

-Robert Campbell, vice president of Trust & Fiduciary Services at HSBC, who oversees the trust

Nemours Children 麻豆精品 S檚 Health

麻豆精品 S淕rowing and solidifying the nursing workforce is critical to care delivery across the healthcare sector. Through our longtime relationship with the UCF College of Nursing, we have seen firsthand the benefits of hiring their well-trained, work-ready graduates. The new nursing pavilion will be a tremendous asset in our continued collaboration, partnership, and investment to support the education, development, and maturation of emerging nurses. 麻豆精品 S�

-Nicole Johnson, (DNP 麻豆精品 S�17), senior vice president and chief nursing and patient operations officer 聽

Orlando Health

麻豆精品 S淚t is an honor and privilege to be associated with UCF, and we are thankful for our partnership with the university, nursing professors, and students. 麻豆精品 S�

-David Strong, president and CEO

The Society of Critical Care Medicine is the largest nonprofit medical organization dedicated to promoting excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care with members in more than 80 countries representing all professional components of the critical care team.

The Society 麻豆精品 S檚 Master of Critical Care Medicine designation is awarded to individuals who have achieved global prominence in the field of critical care through exemplary leadership, eminence in clinical practice, and outstanding contributions to research and education. The designation is awarded to long-standing fellows of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Sole was inducted as a fellow in 2009.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Sole 麻豆精品 S檚 contributions to the field are nothing short of extraordinary, 麻豆精品 S� says John Whitcomb, chief academic nursing officer at Clemson University School of Nursing, in his nomination letter. 麻豆精品 S淗er unparalleled leadership, clinical excellence, and commitment to education and research have set a benchmark in critical care medicine and nursing that few can match. 麻豆精品 S�

began her nursing career nearly five decades ago in critical care, and that bedside experience inspired her research as she advanced her career. Today Sole is an internationally renowned critical care researcher with more than $4 million in research grant funding and 110 peer-reviewed publications. Her scholarly activities, which have focused on preventing complications for critically ill patients on a ventilator, have influenced the standard of care in the U.S. and around the world.

As a nurse educator for more than 40 years 麻豆精品 S� with 34 at UCF 麻豆精品 S� she has made significant contributions to critical care nursing education and has inspired and mentored countless future critical care nurses. She was the lead editor of the textbook, Introduction to Critical Care Nursing, which was selected as book of the year twice by the American Journal of Nursing. The textbook is now in its ninth edition and has been renamed to Sole 麻豆精品 S檚 Introduction to Critical Care Nursing.

At UCF, she has advised more than 80 doctoral, graduate and undergraduate student research projects most of which have focused on acute and critical care nursing. One of the most recent students was Kimberly Emery Rathbun 麻豆精品 S�17BSN 麻豆精品 S�22PhD, UCF College of Nursing 麻豆精品 S檚 first B.S.N. to Ph.D. graduate.

An active member of the critical care community, Sole has served on three editorial boards, expert panels of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Quality Forum task forces and chaired a study section of the NIH Center for Scientific Review.

In Central Florida, Sole held various roles at Orlando Health for more than three decades, including clinical nurse specialist and nurse scientist. Currently, she serves as the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing at 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing.

Throughout her career, Sole has been honored for her commitment to excellence in nursing education, research and practice including Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, and UCF Pegasus Professor. Sole has been at UCF since 1991 and led the College of Nursing for the last decade as dean. Last fall, she announced her retirement effective Summer 2025.

She joined UCF in 1991 as a visiting associate professor after previously serving as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in San Antonio.

麻豆精品 S淎t that time, I moved from being a small fish in a large pond at an academic health sciences center to a big fish in a small pond in a school of nursing, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

In 1991, 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing program admitted only 60 students per year and had approximately 15 faculty members.

麻豆精品 S淏ut, as a faculty member, this meant we taught students in both the classroom and clinical setting, 麻豆精品 S� says Sole. 麻豆精品 S淭o me, this was the best part as it really enhanced learning. 麻豆精品 S�

In her more than three decades since, Sole has witnessed 麻豆精品 S� and played a key role 麻豆精品 S� in the incredible growth and impact of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing program. Today, 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing has more than 2,700 students, 75 faculty members and 16,000 Knight nurse alumni.

Unleashing Potential in Healthcare

When Sole was appointed dean of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing, her vision was to build upon its existing strengths to foster the development of new educational programs and research to become a national leader in nursing education. She 麻豆精品 S檚 fully realized that vision and much more.

Sole has maintained a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, fostered a culture of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, and advanced the college 麻豆精品 S檚 teaching and research capabilities.

麻豆精品 S淒ean Sole 麻豆精品 S檚 legacy at UCF is one of extraordinary vision and commitment, leading a College of Nursing that stands out as a national leader in academic excellence, research, and innovation, 麻豆精品 S� says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough her dedication to the healthcare education and the nursing profession, Dean Sole has advanced 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 impact in profound ways, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to shape the future of healthcare in Central Florida and beyond. 麻豆精品 S�

While Sole has been at the helm of the college, UCF has continued to provide a high-quality nursing education that has earned national recognition with reaccreditation in 2017 and ranked among the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 best from the bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree to the doctorate by U.S. News & World Report. Graduates also continue to exceed both state and national first-time pass rate averages on the national registered nurse licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) and nurse practitioner board certification exams.

Sole facilitated the expansion of degree programs to increase access and evolve to meet the changing healthcare environment, adding the , launching the state 麻豆精品 S檚 first online Ph.D. program designed for nurse scientists, and innovating education with the B.S.N. to Ph.D. program track and healthcare simulation graduate program.

To meet the growing demand for its programs, Sole has increased the college 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty by more than 27% in the last decade and expanded research areas to include acute care, gerontology (aging), and simulation. 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing now boasts 21 national fellows, three Sigma International Researcher Hall of Fame recipients, and 11 internationally certified simulation experts.

Over the last decade, with the addition of more experts, Ph.D. programs and postdoctoral opportunities, 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing has vastly expanded its research prowess and funding. In 2014-15, when Sole was appointed dean, the college had 10 funding awards totaling $98,400. In the last academic year, the college had 31 awards totaling $3.29 million and was ranked No. 35 among U.S. nursing schools for federal funding.

A champion of technology to foster learning, Sole also led UCF to global prominence in healthcare simulation. 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center has two international accreditations and provides more than 11,000 contact hours annually in simulation-based experiences to prepare UCF nursing students, and students from other healthcare disciplines, for practice.

Collaborating to Impact Communities

Beginning with her tenure as interim dean, Sole has advanced community partnerships with healthcare organizations across Central Florida. Most recently, UCF has welcomed four Pegasus Partners committed to advancing nursing education, research and practice: AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children 麻豆精品 S檚 Health and Addition Financial.

麻豆精品 S淥ur longstanding partnerships have had an immeasurable impact on nursing education, research and care, 麻豆精品 S� Sole says.

Community partnerships have also been critical to the creation of the , the new home of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing in Lake Nona. Once open in Fall 2025, the state-of-the-art facility will allow UCF to increase enrollment to address the nursing shortage and with an optimal location on 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus, will foster greater innovation and collaboration to solve the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most pressing healthcare challenges.

At the time of her appointment, one of Sole 麻豆精品 S檚 goals was to facilitate the move of the College of Nursing to Lake Nona. The new building is a transformational project that is the culmination of years of work, advocacy and collaboration, including working closely with the UCF Foundation, philanthropic organizations and community partners to secure private support, and comes at a critical time where nurses are needed at all levels.

麻豆精品 S淲ith the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, UCF will unleash potential that will have an immeasurable impact for generations to come, 麻豆精品 S� she said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Bringing the building 麻豆精品 S檚 vision to a reality is the crowning achievement on what has been a storied career in academia and nursing.

Ensuring Nursing 麻豆精品 S檚 Bright Future

No doubt Sole has come a long way from her upbringing in a small town in Ohio where, at that time, career options were limited. Sole chose nursing to follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, and 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e never looked back, 麻豆精品 S� she says of her nearly 50 years in the profession.

麻豆精品 S淚 love this profession and the greatest part is that you can do whatever you want. No other profession, in my opinion, offers such an abundance of opportunities to follow your passion and make an impact doing what you love, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough nursing, I have been able to care for patients at the bedside, advance nursing science through research, and impact future generations as an educator and leader. 麻豆精品 S�

Sole has maintained an active scholarship during her tenure as dean. A certified critical care clinical nurse specialist, Sole focused her research on preventing complications and improving outcomes for critically ill patients who are on a ventilator. Her research, which received more than $4 million in funding and was published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, has influenced the standard of nursing critical care in the U.S. and around the world.

In addition, Sole played an active role in educating and mentoring future generations of nurse scientists and she will continue to impact future nurse scientists. In 2021, she provided a personal donation to establish the endowed Dr. Mary Lou Sole Family Reach for the Stars Scholarship to support Ph.D. students.

Prior to her dean appointment, Sole held various administrative and leadership roles in 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing program. In 2008, Sole was named a Pegasus Professor, 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 highest faculty honor, and in 2010, she was appointed as the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and American College of Critical Care Medicine, and is a member of the Sigma International Researcher Hall of Fame.

麻豆精品 S淲hat a journey it has been, 麻豆精品 S� Sole says. 麻豆精品 S淚 am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together. It is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, the support of our community, partners and alumni, and commitment of our students. UCF College of Nursing will continue to 麻豆精品 S楥harge On 麻豆精品 S� to ensure a healthier, brighter future for all. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淎t UCF, I have truly been able to unleash potential beyond my dreams and I am incredibly grateful, 麻豆精品 S� says Sole. 麻豆精品 S淚 have been supported by the university, our community and our partners to reach for the stars and positively impact nursing 麻豆精品 S檚 future. 麻豆精品 S�

Fueled by $10 million in combined commitments from AdventHealth and Orlando Health, the UCF College of Nursing has moved a major step closer to a new building at Lake Nona that will enable the college to graduate hundreds of additional nurses annually who will care for patients throughout the region and state. The new building also will expand the college 麻豆精品 S檚 capacity to educate future nursing faculty members who are needed to teach the nurses of tomorrow.

As 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 inaugural Pegasus Partners, AdventHealth and Orlando Health have each committed $5 million to support those much-needed efforts as well as to provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for UCF nursing students.

麻豆精品 S淎dventHealth and Orlando Health have been valued, transformative partners to UCF as we collaborate to support the health and well-being of our community, 麻豆精品 S� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 麻豆精品 S淭heir continued partnership and generous investment in 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing will make a difference in our region for generations to come. 麻豆精品 S�

AdventHealth and Orlando Health employ more than 12,000 nurses combined at a total of 34 hospitals across Central Florida. Both systems will rely on UCF to help prepare the additional talent they need to combat the national nursing shortage and expand their workforces.

麻豆精品 S淓nsuring we have well-educated, highly trained and skilled nurses to meet Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 growing health care needs is a pressing challenge for the entire health care sector, 麻豆精品 S� says Randy Haffner, CEO of AdventHealth Florida. 麻豆精品 S淧artnering with leading educational institutions such as UCF is absolutely vital to ensuring these efforts are successful. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淟ike many healthcare systems across the state and the nation, Orlando Health constantly evaluates and adjusts strategies in order to deliver exceptional patient care, 麻豆精品 S� says Karen Frenier, senior vice president, human resources and chief nurse executive, Orlando Health. 麻豆精品 S淲e are excited about our long-term partnership with UCF as we continue to strategically plan nursing workforce opportunities for the future. 麻豆精品 S�

In addition to contributing to the new building, each hospital 麻豆精品 S檚 gift will support student success with the creation of a scholars program named in their honor. Each of those programs will provide tuition assistance to 10 senior BSN students annually and establish a paid summer internship program for an additional 10-15 students annually.

麻豆精品 S淥ur longstanding partnerships with AdventHealth and Orlando Health have a wide-reaching impact on the community, from supporting a quality education of our students who join the workforce and provide compassionate, skilled care to funding faculty research and innovation to improve outcomes, 麻豆精品 S� says Mary Lou Sole, dean of the UCF College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淲e are extremely thankful to these leading health systems for their commitment to UCF and their generous gifts to fuel the future. Together, we will continue to make our Central Florida communities healthier. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF currently graduates more newly licensed RNs annually than any other institution in the State University System, with approximately 260 Knight nurses entering the workforce each year. Almost all of them 麻豆精品 S� 85% of the 16,000 nursing alumni 麻豆精品 S� live and work in Florida.

Last year, the College of Nursing added 100 students beyond its usual enrollment to help keep pace with the state 麻豆精品 S檚 demand for new nurses. The new building is needed for the additional enrollment growth, and when complete, the 90,000-square-foot building will be large enough for the college to increase enrollment by at least 50% to make a much bigger impact in helping to alleviate the state 麻豆精品 S檚 nursing shortage.

UCF continues to seek philanthropic investments in the new building, as we near the goal of raising $70 million needed to break ground on the College of Nursing. $26.2 million has been raised through philanthropy to-date, which will be combined with $43.7 million committed by the State of Florida, to support the region and guide 21^st century healthcare.

AdventHealth and Orlando Health join , Helene Fuld Health Trust, , Parrish Medical Center and VNA Foundation in support of this transformational project.

About Pegasus Partners

鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 new Pegasus Partners program offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, and strategic philanthropy. UCF is proud to welcome AdventHealth and Orlando Health as two of its inaugural Pegasus Partners.

About AdventHealth

AdventHealth, one of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 largest nonprofit health care systems, is headquartered in Central Florida. They have been a long-standing partner of the College of Nursing for over 40 years, dating back to the establishment of the bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 in nursing program. AdventHealth has been a partner both clinically, including student clinical placements, research, faculty and adjunct support; and philanthropically.

AdventHealth 麻豆精品 S檚 Central Florida Division encompasses more than 20 hospitals and ERs in the six counties in and surrounding metro Orlando. The world-class hospitals, combined with a comprehensive outpatient care network, see more than 5.7 million patient visits annually.

AdventHealth also has an expansive research portfolio in Central Florida, with more than 500 clinical trials and studies in progress.

The organization has a deep commitment to serving the community and has a local financial impact of more than $1 billion annually. AdventHealth and its employees are responsible for nearly 20% of Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 economy.

The division 麻豆精品 S檚 flagship campus 麻豆精品 S� AdventHealth Orlando 麻豆精品 S� boasts nationally and internationally recognized programs, and serves as a major tertiary and quaternary referral hospital for much of the Southeast, the Caribbean and Latin America. Quality specialty care is provided through AdventHealth Institutes, which is nationally recognized in numerous specialties.

AdventHealth Orlando has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Leapfrog Group.

About Orlando Health

Caring for Central Florida has been an Orlando Health tradition for over 100 years, and their healthcare services extend well beyond their hospital walls. Orlando Health has been one of the first and longest-standing partners of UCF, including serving our Knights 麻豆精品 S� athletics teams and student-athletes as the official medical provider for UCF Athletics.

Headquartered in Orlando, the system is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.2 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico.

It is recognized around the world for Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation 麻豆精品 S檚 largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the Southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its graduate medical education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows.

The 3,888-bed system includes 29 hospitals and emergency departments 麻豆精品 S� 24 of which are currently operational with five coming soon. The system also includes nine specialty institutes, more than 100 adult and pediatric primary care practices, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility under the management of Acadia Healthcare, and more than 60 outpatient facilities that include imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with FastMed Urgent Care. More than 4,750 physicians, representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 27,000 team members and more than 1,200 physicians.

In FY22, Orlando Health served nearly 142,000 inpatients and 3.9 million outpatients. The healthcare system provided more than $782 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more in 2021 fiscal year, the most recent period for which this information is available.

麻豆精品 S淗er leadership in the fields of health policy and rural health, and within the college make her an ideal candidate for this role, 麻豆精品 S� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the UCF College of Nursing.

A nationally known expert in her field, Edwards joined the faculty at the college in 2015 as a professor and serves as the Hugh F. and Jeannette McKean Endowed Chair. Edwards has served as interim chair of the Department of Nursing Systems since October 2017 when the college restructured to more accurately reflect the broader scope of programs and the profession.

For more than two decades, Edwards has influenced health policy, rural health and women 麻豆精品 S檚 health issues with her widely published research and by serving on several state and national committees. In rural Appalachian Tennessee, she helped establish a long-standing network of nurse-managed clinics that now provide care for thousands of underserved patients annually. Edwards is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and is a member of Sigma, the international honor society of nursing, the American Nurses Association and the National Rural Health Association.

Edwards has 40 years of experience in academia, serving as an educator and in various leadership roles. Prior to UCF, Edwards was a professor of graduate programs and associate dean for research at East Tennessee State University College of Nursing. She earned her BSN and doctorate in health care administration from Ohio University, and her MSN from West Virginia University.

麻豆精品 S淭hroughout our nearly four-decade long history, program offerings, faculty interests and students 麻豆精品 S� needs have continually evolved to meet national demand and the ever-changing health care environment, 麻豆精品 S� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淎s nurses today, we are impacting health care not only as caregivers at the bedside but as leaders, scientists and educators. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淲hile the new structure may take time to adjust to and become familiar with, our faculty and administration are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for everyone, 麻豆精品 S� added Sole.

The Department of Nursing Systems focuses on programs that educate individuals for greater leadership responsibilities within a health care system. The Department of Nursing Practice includes programs that focus on direct nursing care roles across patient groups. Undergraduate and graduate programs are located within the new departments as follows:

Maureen M. Covelli, PhD, RN, has been appointed chair of the Department of Nursing Practice. Covelli has been at the college since 1989. She previously served as associate dean for undergraduate affairs and is an associate professor whose research interests include cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Joellen Edwards, PhD, RN, FAAN, is serving as interim chair of the Department of Nursing Systems while the college undergoes a national search for the position. The Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing, Edwards is a nationally known expert on health policy and rural health with a special interest in women 麻豆精品 S檚 health issues.

Sole and the 22 other honorees from Australia, Canada, Finland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and U.S. were inducted at the STTI 28th International Nursing Research Congress in Dublin, Ireland, on July 29. The award is the highest level of recognition available for nurse researchers, honoring those who have achieved significant and sustained recognition, and whose research has improved the profession and the people it serves.

麻豆精品 S淒r. Sole has contributed significantly to the body of nursing science, 麻豆精品 S� said Cindy L. Munro, past recipient of the STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame award and associate dean of research and innovation at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淗er intervention research has improved patient care and her mentorship has enhanced the research capabilities of nursing students across all levels. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 am honored and humbled to join a renowned group of researchers around the world who work diligently every day to generate evidence for nursing practice that ultimately contributes to better patient outcomes, 麻豆精品 S� said Sole who was honored for her contributions to critical care nursing and nursing education.

A certified critical care clinical nurse specialist, Sole has focused her research over the past three decades on preventing complications and improving outcomes of critically ill patients who are placed on a ventilator. Her research, which has been awarded more than $4 million in funding to-date, has influenced the standard of nursing care in the U.S. and in the international critical care community.

As an educator, mentor and researcher, Sole is dedicated to developing the next generation of nurse leaders. Using simulation and technology, Sole has created innovative strategies to improve student learning in the clinical setting as well as the classroom.

Her research has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented at conferences throughout the world. She currently serves on the editorial boards of AACN Advanced Critical Care, American Journal of Critical Care and Heart & Lung, and is the editor of one of the most widely used undergraduate critical care nursing textbooks in which she has also authored several chapters. In addition, Sole has served as a member of two National Quality Forum task forces and expert panels of the National Institutes of Health. Throughout her career Sole has been honored with numerous awards, including American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Distinguished Researcher and Researcher of the Year from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Sole has a diploma from the Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing in Wheeling, WV, a BSN from Ohio University, a MSN from The Ohio State University, and a PhD in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the second faculty member at the UCF College of Nursing to receive this prestigious honor from STTI. Karen J. Aroian, a Chatlos Foundation Endowed Chair and professor, was inducted in 2013.

Then the email arrived from the College of Nursing Scholarship Committee. At first she thought it was a hoax. Pon had been awarded the Vivian and Barry Woods Educational Endowment Scholarship. The amount of her award was $2,000. 麻豆精品 S淭here were many things in life trying to stop me from my dreams, almost convincing me that this life was not meant to be, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut if receiving this scholarship when I did doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 tell me that I am meant to be where I am today, then I don 麻豆精品 S檛 know what will. 麻豆精品 S� Pon is on track to graduate in 2018 and thanks the donors who have given her the opportunity to 麻豆精品 S渟ave lives in the future, while making something of mine. 麻豆精品 S�

Pon was one of the 113 nursing students who received a private donor-funded scholarship this year, selected from more than 400 applicants. Students and their donors met at an annual scholarship luncheon this week to share stories about the power and impact of philanthropy.

One of those donors was Sarah Dodson 麻豆精品 S�01, who established the In Memory of Marlie Kai Dodson UCF Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship in 2012, in honor of her daughter who died in 2011. Many UCF nurses cared for Marlie during her stays at Arnold Palmer Hospital and inspired Dodson, who wanted to support future caregivers graduating from the UCF nursing program. Recently, Dodson experienced a d茅j脿 vu moment when her niece was hospitalized at the same hospital where Marlie spent so much of her life. 麻豆精品 S淚 was a worried aunt, assuming the worst, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

As fate would have it, her niece 麻豆精品 S檚 nurse was Mackenzie Chase, 麻豆精品 S�16, the 2015 recipient of Marlie 麻豆精品 S檚 scholarship. 麻豆精品 S淚t was at that moment, I felt the impact of giving, 麻豆精品 S� says Dodson, who watched as Mackenzie confidently cared for her niece. 麻豆精品 S淚 knew everything would be fine. 麻豆精品 S�

The College of Nursing awarded $332,000 in scholarship support this year 麻豆精品 S� the largest amount ever. Two new endowed scholarships were established this year: The Elaine Alliance Endowed Scholarship will support undergraduate nursing students and the Dr. Angeline and John R. Bushy Endowed Scholarship will support doctoral students interested in rural health.

麻豆精品 S淲e are very thankful for the support we receive from our alumni and friends in providing scholarships for our nursing students, 麻豆精品 S� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the UCF College of Nursing. Sole also noted that six nursing faculty members had established endowed scholarships, and more than 2,000 faculty and staff members contributed to programs and funds campus-wide 麻豆精品 S� including many to benefit the College of Nursing — during the recent faculty and staff campaign.

Another student who benefited from a scholarship was Robin Kintz, whose path to nursing was a circuitous one. As a middle schooler, she was a caregiver to her breast cancer-battling mom and aunt, and was told she had a knack for the nursing profession. She resisted, and it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 until later in life when she realized her calling. This semester, she started her first adult rotation — ironically, on the woman 麻豆精品 S檚 oncology unit at Florida Hospital. 麻豆精品 S淲hen I walked onto the unit, I looked at the patient 麻豆精品 S檚 names on the doors and two stuck out to me: my mom 麻豆精品 S檚 and my aunt 麻豆精品 S檚, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 help but think, I must be doing something right with this whole nursing thing. 麻豆精品 S�

Katie Korkosz, director for advancement at the college, says scholarships are a funding priority and assist students with their tuition and educational expenses. 麻豆精品 S淢any nursing students are not able to work during the program due to the rigorous curriculum, so scholarship support is critical and helps us recruit and retain the best and brightest students. 麻豆精品 S�

Kintz agrees that working while studying is hard. 麻豆精品 S淓ntering nursing school last fall was a real challenge for me, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 was working 30 hours a week to pay my bills and was told that working during nursing school would be difficult. 麻豆精品 S� Luckily, Kintz received the Compassion for Nursing Endowed Scholarship which gave her the means to pay for tuition, and more. 麻豆精品 S淚t gave me peace of mind and the ability to focus more on my classwork. 麻豆精品 S�

To give to the College of Nursing, please visit: or contact Katie Korkosz at katiek@ucf.edu or 407-823-1600.

麻豆精品 S淚n recent years, the college has experienced significant growth in all areas and we expect to continue to expand to meet the national demand for highly educated nurses, leaders and educators, 麻豆精品 S� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the UCF College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淏y expanding our leadership team, we are able to more effectively focus on our strategic priorities of recruiting and retaining quality faculty and students, increasing funding for our faculty 麻豆精品 S檚 innovative research, and expanding programs and partnerships to continue to deliver excellence in education. Both Norma and Donna have been instrumental leaders in the college, and their expertise made them excellent choices for these roles. 麻豆精品 S�

Conner, Associate Dean for Academic Excellence

Conner has been at the college since 2010 as an assistant and associate professor, PhD committee chair and former Community Nursing Coalition coordinator. A nurse researcher with prior management and academic leadership experience, she brings an extensive background in developing partnerships, reporting outcomes, and working with national organizations. In the new role, Conner will be responsible for providing leadership for accreditation, strategic planning, program evaluations, continuing education and institutional effectiveness.

麻豆精品 S淚t is an honor to help lead the college into the future and continue to achieve excellence in nursing education, practice and research, 麻豆精品 S� said Norma Conner, new associate dean for academic excellence at the UCF College of Nursing.

Conner was recently named a fellow in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing program. The competitive and intensive program enhances leadership skills and competencies needed for today 麻豆精品 S檚 complex nursing education and health care environment. It includes focused assessment activities, mentorships and sharing of ideas among fellows.

In addition, Conner is an abstract reviewer for Southern Nursing Research Society, is on the editorial board for Computers Informatics Nursing, a manuscript reviewer for American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, and a member of Academy Health.

Her previous academic appointments include professor at St. Petersburg College in Florida, visiting assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing and adjunct instructor at Rutgers University. She earned her BSN from Towson State University in Baltimore, and MSN and PhD in Nursing from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Neff, Associate Dean of Research

Neff joined the college in 2013 as associate professor and interim director of research. She also has served as PhD program coordinator since 2014. During her tenure as interim director of research, Neff increased faculty research proposals and funding, and fostered research collaborations.

麻豆精品 S淚n the last year alone, our faculty have implemented novel technologies and simulation, collaborated with interdisciplinary research teams and studied vulnerable at-risk populations, 麻豆精品 S� said Donna Neff, associate dean of research at the UCF College of Nursing. 麻豆精品 S淭he university has set a goal for the college to triple its nationally funded research within five years. By accomplishing this, we are able to further leverage our expertise to discover and share new knowledge by expanding research capabilities. 麻豆精品 S�

Active in the community, Neff is a member of the Florida Hospital Systems Clinical Research Collaborative and the nursing faculty representative on the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives Research Council. She is also vice president of communications for the National Academies of Practice, associate editor for Issues in Mental Health Nursing, manuscript reviewer for Research in Nursing & Health, and a member of Academy Health.

Prior to UCF, Neff was an associate professor at the University of Florida College of Nursing and The University of Akron College of Nursing. She received her MSN from The University of Akron in Ohio and PhD in Nursing with emphasis on Gerontology from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

Conner 麻豆精品 S檚 appointment was effective August 2016 and Neff 麻豆精品 S檚 appointment was effective January 2016.