UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NURSING
2025 Impact Report
Dear Gator Nursing Community,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share the UF College of Nursing’s 2025 Impact Report — a reflection of bold beginnings, ambitious action and the unshakable belief that nursing must lead in shaping the future of health.
Over the past 12 months, we have ignited new momentum across education, research, practice and partnership. We launched visionary programs, expanded access for our students and communities, and doubled down on what matters most — preparing future-ready nurses who are as compassionate as they are capable. From historic rankings to game-changing clinical collaborations, from AI-powered research to nurse-led care in rural Florida — we are not just reacting to the changing landscape of health care. We are driving it.
None of this progress happens alone. It is the result of tireless effort and collective brilliance — from our exceptional students, faculty and staff, to our loyal alumni, generous donors and mission-driven partners. You have helped us transform challenges into opportunities and ideas into outcomes.
As we look ahead to 2026, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for a truly historic milestone: the UF College of Nursing’s 70th anniversary. This celebration will not only honor our legacy of excellence, but also propel us into a new era of innovation, impact and inspiration.
The future of nursing starts here. Let us move forward — together — as we Care, Lead and Inspire Boldly!
With gratitude and vision,
Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, MBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, Dean – Chief Administrative Officer, UF College of Nursing Associate Vice President for Nursing Education, Practice, and Research –System Chief Nurse Executive, UF Health
Faculty Lead Mobile Health Initiatives Across Florida:
Gator Nursing faculty are making a significant impact through their work with UF Health’s mobile units, bringing essential care directly to underserved communities. Brenda Dyal, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, now serves as the clinical director of the UF Health Cancer Institute’s Mobile Cancer Screening Connector, helping expand access to early cancer detection services across North Central Florida.
30% Uninsured Patients
5,151 Visits in FY25
24 Years
One of the Longest Running in the Country
A Legacy of Nurse-Led Care:
Celebrating 24years of nurse-led care, UF Health Archer Family Health Care was ranked No. 7 for patient satisfaction among UF Health practices, offering hands-on training and expanding access for a largely uninsured population.
LEAD
Record-Breaking Enrollment:
After a year of strategic planning and bold action, the College of Nursing welcomed its largest-ever cohort of BSN students, marking a historic milestone in its commitment to addressing the national nursing shortage. In August, 226 new BSN students — including 85 newly created seats — began their journey, representing a 60% increase in enrollment.
Leading the Fight Against Human Trafficking:
The College of Nursing became the first in the nation to launch an Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate in partnership with Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
This innovative program is offered free to all College of Nursing students, faculty and staff, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize signs of trafficking, provide trauma-informed care and serve as advocates for survivors within health care settings. By integrating evidence-based practices and survivor-informed perspectives, the certificate empowers nurses to play a frontline role in disrupting trafficking networks and supporting recovery.
Bold Investments in Innovation:
The college has been awarded generous and transformative investments totaling $8.7 million to launch bold initiatives to address Florida’s critical nursing shortage and to support student success.
Shaping the Future Through Informatics:
Home to one of the nation’s largest AI-focused nursing faculty cohorts, the UF College of Nursing is transforming health care through artificial intelligence. Faculty researchers are leveraging machine learning, data science and informatics to tackle complex clinical challenges — from predicting patient falls using text-mining of nurse progress notes to developing data-driven guidelines for transplant care. As part of UF’s university-wide AI initiative, the college is not only advancing research but also preparing the next generation of nurses to lead in an AI-powered health care landscape.
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