Robert Atkins has spent most of his career working to improve the health and well-being of marginalized children and families living in distressed neighborhoods. Early in his career, he worked as a school nurse at East Camden (NJ) Middle School and cofounded the Camden STARR Program, a nonprofit development program dedicated to improving the life chances of young people in Camden. His work there motivated him to complete a PhD in the Department of Public Health at Temple University to better understand the factors that influence the health of children living in distressed environments. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and American civilizations from Brown University and Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Atkins has also served as national program director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) program. In this role, he created meaningful partnerships between stakeholders from higher education, philanthropy, local and state governments, and communities. 

Co-Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Information, Knowledge Management 

Nancy R. Reynolds is the associate dean of global affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; director, Center for Global Initiatives; co-director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Information, Knowledge Management; and co-secretary general, Global Network of the WHO Collaborating Centers of Nursing and Midwifery. Formerly the Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing at Yale University, Dr. Reynolds is a researcher in the field of chronic illness self-management (especially HIV) with over 20 years of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has extensive research experience as PI of multidisciplinary teams and as an investigator with the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS at Yale University. Her work is focused on the development of interventions that use low-cost cellphone technology to bring health care services to vulnerable populations affected by HIV. In Ghana and India, Dr. Reynolds has implemented programs to improve medication adherence and mental health outcomes of women and children living with the disease. She has a strong leadership background in research development and training of domestic and international pre- and postdoctoral fellows. She has been the director/faculty sponsor of NIH-funded T32, F31, and K training grants, and has provided leadership to global health projects sponsored by USAID, Clinton Foundation, World Bank/JHPIEGO, and Fogarty focused on clinical and research development of interdisciplinary scholars in international settings. Dr. Reynolds has served as board member on governmental and non-governmental organizations (e.g., Ohio Department of Public Health, AIDS Drug Assistance Program, Yale-China Association), is former chair of the Outcomes Committee of the NIH–sponsored AIDS Clinical Trials Group, and is a member of the WHO Steering Committee for the inaugural State of the World’s Nursing report. She is a member of the scientific review group—HIV special sections—at NIH. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the recipient of numerous research awards including induction into the Sigma Theta Tau International Researcher Hall of Fame. 

Nicole Warren is a certified nurse midwife with more than two decades of combined research, clinical practice, and teaching experience in reproductive health. Her work is guided by a commitment to Respectful Maternity Care and eliminating mistreatment of childbearing persons. Current projects include addressing disparities in maternal health in Maryland, evaluating the impact of educational interventions to improve care of women affected by female genital cutting, and group antenatal care in Mali, West Africa. Dr. Warren is an award-winning teacher with specialized training in service-learning pedagogy and has collaborated with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health. 

Lauren is a second-semester Master’s Entry into Nursing student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017 with a B.S. in Chemistry and was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. She served aboard two destroyers and deployed to both the Arctic Circle and the Middle East. In addition to her operational duties, she served as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate and a Bereavement Counselor, providing support and advocacy to service members and their families during times of crisis. 

After eight years of service, Lauren transitioned off active duty in August 2025. She now continues her military career as a Navy Reservist at Navy Reserve Center Baltimore while pursuing graduate studies. At Johns Hopkins, she serves as a member of the Military Association Interest Group (MAIG). 

Outside of her professional life, Lauren has been married for five years to her loving husband, Adam, and is the proud mom of two young boys, Michael (3) and Caden (1).  

Patty Wilson’s clinical practice and research focus on improving the lives of those who have experienced trauma and working to create community-based interventions that address social determinants of health and promote health equity in BIPOC communities. She teaches pre-licensure Masters Entry to Nursing students and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students. For her faculty practice, Dr. Wilson is the site coordinator for doctoral nursing students working as community health nurses at the House of Ruth Maryland, a shelter for families escaping intimate partner violence. Dr. Wilson has an extensive network of collaborations through her role at the House of Ruth Maryland and as principal investigator of the Passport to Freedom program, which provides psycho-educational sessions for women to promote self-awareness of the link between trauma and health and offers strategies to cope with symptoms of trauma/stress. Dr. Wilson practices as a PMHNP in a community-based behavioral health office in Baltimore City. She is an alumna of the ANA/SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program and completed her doctoral and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner studies at the University of Virginia School of Nursing. 

Kate Merlo is a fifth-semester Master’s Entry into Nursing student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bucknell University, where she conducted genetic and genomic research and participated in cystic fibrosis precision medicine initiatives at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, contributing to a peer-reviewed publication. During her undergraduate years, she also volunteered with a support group for grieving children in Lewisburg, an experience that deepened her commitment to compassionate, patient- and family-centered care. 

At Johns Hopkins, Kate is an engaged student leader and advocate. She served as Cohort Representative during her first year and was later elected President of the Student Senate, where she represents the MSN student body, leads collaborative initiatives, and promotes open communication between students, faculty, and administration. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and serves as a Peer Navigator, mentoring incoming nursing students. Kate is passionate about pediatric nursing and aspires to pursue a career in pediatric cardiac critical care. 

Timothy Wong is a fourth-semester Master’s Entry into Nursing student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Before entering nursing, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. Alongside his studies he worked as a reserve firefighter for a local rural fire station and as a critical care EMT in the nearby San Fransico Bay area.  

While here at the Johns Hopskins School of Nursing, Timothy actively engages in clinical, academic and service opportunities. As a Helene Fuld Fellow, he contributed to a quality improvement initiative at the Johns Hopkins Hospital aimed at reducing the amount of central line associated bloodstream infections in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. He also serves as a teaching assistant for the Community Outreach course, helping to educate first-semester students with the history of Baltimore and the associated healthcare challenges faced by its underserved communities. Additionally, Timothy is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and maintains a strong commitment to academic excellence. Following graduation, he plans to begin his nursing journey in an intensive care unit and to ultimately pursue an advanced degree to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.