The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) has earned the 2018 INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education “Excellence in Diversity” Health Professions award for its committed efforts to support and sustain diversity and inclusion through education, programs, and outreach. The award is the only national honor that recognizes individual health institutions showing outstanding achievement in making diversity a top priority.
“What a proud moment and excellent recognition of a value so foundational to our school,” says JHSON Dean Patricia Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN. “Diversity is an underlying current that drives our innovation and success, and inclusion is what provides a sense of true community at our school. It’s no doubt that our varying backgrounds and beliefs help us achieve the best outcomes for our school and the local and global communities that we serve.”
At JHSON, diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded into the strategic plan and overall mission. Faculty, students, and staff are provided opportunities for collective cultural changes and experiences through encouragement from leadership and the school’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Overarching efforts to promote respect for differing views and backgrounds are weaved into curriculum development, scholarships, recruitment, partnerships, and strategy.
Recently, Gloria Ramsey, JD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, was appointed to serve as inaugural associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion to further the school’s diversity and its impact on innovation, education, practice, research, and service. JHSON also focuses on advancing social justice in the community, cultural competence education, and minority awareness celebrations. Currently, 25% of faculty and 37% of students are from racial and ethnic minorities.
Other diversity highlights include the appointment of Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, ANP, FAAN, as inaugural endowed professor in health equity and social justice—crucial to understanding how gender, race, and other social determinants impact health—and JHSON’s recognition as the most diverse PhD program across the university. Professor Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN, earned Modern Healthcare’s Diversity in Nursing Award and was a 2018 finalist of the Johns Hopkins University’s Provost Prize for Faculty Excellence in Diversity.
“Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is clearly evident and well integrated into the operations of the school,” says Ramsey. “Our entire community should feel proud and honored to receive the HEED Award because it represents a collective effort and underscores our values and commitment to inclusive excellence for 21st century nursing. As we celebrate the progress we have made, we continue to hold ourselves accountable to continue important work, be open to new ideas, and think forward toward creating a more diverse and inclusive environment in the future.”
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Located in Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is a globally-recognized leader in nursing education, research and practice and ranks No. 1 nationally among graduate schools of nursing and No. 2 for DNP programs in the U.S. News & World Report 2019 rankings. In addition, the school is ranked by QS World University as the No. 3 nursing school in the world and is No.1 by College Choice for its master’s program. First opened in 1889, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is celebrating throughout 2019 its 130th anniversary as a school and leader in nursing education and excellence. For more information, visit www.nursing.jhu.edu and www.hopkinsnursing130.org.
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