The University of Miami’s centennial year was also a banner year for faculty, students, and alumni of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. Their achievements were documented in over 50 news stories, hundreds of photos and videos, two issues of Heartbeat magazine, and daily social media posts keeping our 5.4k Facebook followers, 5.6k LinkedIn followers, and thousands more X and Instagram followers updated.
School Firsts
In January, Dean Hudson Santos Jr. united with Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to host the SAO Annual Forum on Human Trafficking at the Shalala Student Center, with presentations that included the center’s namesake, associate faculty Jonell Potter, and many others making a significant impact in the fight against human trafficking.
In another first, the team at S.H.A.R.E. Simulation Hospital Advancing Research & Education® collaborated with the Coral Gables Fire Department on a three-week simulation activation focused on changing the emergency response paradigm.
With totals for the fiscal year announced in 2025, the school marked its highest ranking and funding total from the National Institutes of Health.
Magnet Attraction
In addition, the school welcomed the nation’s first-ever nursing student crowned Miss America at its meaningful preceptor celebration event during National Nurses Month in May.
More major news arrived with the announcement in August from Distinguished Alumna and Associate Dean Dr. Elizabeth Vieito Smith, Chief Nursing Officer for UHealth – University of Miami Health System, that our academic and clinical partner UHealth had achieved Florida’s first Magnet with Distinction designation.
Academic Excellence
The school announced perfect nursing exam passing rates and top-ranked programs, including Florida’s No. 1 nurse anesthesia program.
This achievement was underscored by the implementation of White Coat ceremonies, where hundreds of nursing students took the Ibis Nursing Pledge.
Students were selected for prestigious roles, from student commencement speaker and Centennial Honorary Committee to Bouchet Graduate Honor Society.
In all, some 664 students successfully completed academic programs at the school to become proud alumni. Among these were many graduating with the highest honors possible.
Faculty Prominence
Several faculty members received national and international recognition and awards, in the areas of teaching, research, and more. They were elected to leadership posts in everything from the American Public Health Association, the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning, and the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. In addition, a handful of faculty members were inducted as fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, representing the highest honor in nursing.
Hemispheric Excellence
Faculty and student exchanges took place throughout the world this year, including Brazil, Spain, Romania, Japan, Mexico, and many others. We renewed ties with key institutions in the Dominican Republic and were redesignated for a fourth time as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Human Resources and Patient Safety.
Supporting Scholars
Contributions at every level made this year’s most special moments all the more meaningful and memorable. Whether it was the University’s Ever Brighter campaign or the Canes for a Cause initiative, donors made the difference, from individual parents and faculty to foundations and corporations, we thank our generous and committed philanthropic partners for all they did this year to help us keep innovating excellence in nursing and health care research, education, and practice.
Watch our University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies 2025 Year in Review.
