Thirteen faculty and alumni from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) have received prestigious honors from the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for their significant contributions to nursing, health policy, and education. The accolades include the induction of eleven members into the AAN fellowship and the recognition of two distinguished individuals for their exceptional careers.
Laura Lucas, Shawna Mudd, and Shaquita Starks are among the JHSON faculty members who have been named fellows for 2025. Lucas serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Nursing Program, while Mudd is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Starks, also an Associate Professor, directs the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track.
The alumni honored as fellows include notable figures such as Ivy Latoja Pacis, currently with the Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network, and Balkys Bivins, affiliated with Monumental Health Partners. Others recognized include Nakia C. Best from the University of California Irvine, Sondra Leiggi Brandon from Queen’s Health Systems, and Carolyn Dickens, who is associated with the University of Illinois Chicago.
Acknowledging Transformative Contributions to Nursing
The JHSON community also celebrates Phyllis Sharps, a professor emerita who has been named a 2025 Living Legend by the AAN. This honor is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to nursing and global health. Dr. Sharps is recognized for her pioneering research on intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women. Her Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE) intervention, supported by the National Institutes of Health, has fundamentally changed how public health nurses address IPV during pregnancy, significantly advancing health equity.
Additionally, Patricia Davidson, former Dean of JHSON and current Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, received the prestigious President’s Award. This award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public health and nursing leadership. Davidson has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes for individuals and communities worldwide.
“Recognition from the American Academy of Nursing showcases the remarkable talent and dedication within the Hopkins Nursing community,” said Sarah L. Szanton, Dean of JHSON. “From our newest fellows to our Living Legend and President’s Award honoree, each represents the spirit of innovation, compassion, and leadership that defines our school and enhances the future of health globally.”
The American Academy of Nursing officially inducted the new fellows and honored award recipients during its annual Health Policy Conference, held in Washington, D.C. on October 18, 2025.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing: A Global Leader
Located in Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is recognized internationally for its excellence in nursing education, research, and practice. It ranks as the top nursing school in the United States for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and second for its master’s degree program, according to U.S. News & World Report. Furthermore, JHSON is rated as the third-best nursing school globally by QS World University Rankings.
The school has received multiple awards for its commitment to diversity and excellence, including the INSIGHT Into Academia Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Distinction (HEED) Award and the Best School for Men in Nursing award. For more information about JHSON’s programs and initiatives, visit their official website at www.nursing.jhu.edu.
