Dr. Renée Davis

Executive Director of the School of Nursing

At the University of West Florida, impact happens every day. It happens in our classrooms, simulation labs, research collaborations and clinical partnerships. Every student we educate goes on to care for thousands of patients throughout their career, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our campus. Being able to serve and influence not only individual students, but also the communities they will serve is what makes this work so rewarding. One example of this impact can be seen through our research. Much of my research involves translating complex evidence into practical guidance for clinicians as it relates to improving child healthcare. One of the most meaningful aspects of my research is involving students in the scholarly process. They learn how research directly informs clinical decision-making and improves patient outcomes. This work creates a lasting impact on both the patients it will help and also the students who are receiving hands-on research experience.

Recently, I received the honor of being inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. FAANP recognizes nurse practitioners who have made sustained national contributions and impact to clinical practice, education, research and leadership. It represents a lifetime of work dedicated to improving healthcare and advancing the nurse practitioner profession. While this recognition reflects many years of service, UWF has provided the environment necessary for me to make the largest impact. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of UWF. Our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners are deeply committed to serving others and improving healthcare throughout our region and beyond.

While awards such as FAANP are certainly meaningful, I believe the greatest measure of success is the impact we have on others, whether that's a student who discovers a passion for research, a faculty member who reaches a new professional milestone or a child whose care improves because a clinician applied evidence generated through our research. Every graduate we prepare, every research project we complete and every community partnership we build represents another opportunity to make a difference. That is what inspires me every day, and it is why I believe impact happens here at UWF.