The College of Nursing celebrates Roveda’s recognition as a Women of Impact award recipient

Today
By Ann Hess, U of A Nursing, Office of Marketing & Communications
Head and shoulders shot of Janet Roveda

Janet Roveda, PhD, a jointly-appointed professor in the College of Nursing and College of Engineering, has received the prestigious University of Arizona (U of A) 2024 Women of Impact Award from the Office of Research, Innovation, and Impact (RII). Roveda is recognized for her interdisciplinary work, holding university appointments in the College of Nursing and the BIO5 Institute, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. This year, RII honored 31 of about 100 women who were nominated as exceptional faculty and staff members from across the university for their substantial contributions.

Roveda exemplifies cross-disciplinary innovation, and her dedication has earned her this significant recognition. The Women of Impact Award is presented annually to honor faculty and staff who show exceptional commitment to the U of A’s mission, purpose, and values. Nominees are selected based on their roles in advancing discovery, innovation, community impact, and dedication to empowering others.

"This is tremendous recognition!" Roveda stated. She expressed special gratitude to professor Shu Fen Wung, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing-Engineering Initiatives at the College of Nursing, for her mentorship in the nursing field. Roveda also acknowledged College of Nursing Dean Brian Ahn, PhD, for his vision and inspiration, which provided essential direction for her work in digital health research. She emphasized that their support has been invaluable to her achievements.

Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing, expressed pride in Roveda’s accomplishment, noting, “Janet’s commitment to integrating engineering and health sciences has been transformative, and her work represents the future of healthcare, where interdisciplinary collaboration drives better health outcomes for our communities.”

Sheila Gephart, PhD, RN, professor and interim chair of the Advanced Nursing Practice and Science Division, who supervises Roveda in the College of Nursing, expressed her support, stating, "Janet’s impact is palpable across multiple departments. Her passion for innovation that impacts the community is evident in all that she does. This recognition is well-deserved.”

Reflecting on her journey, Roveda offered advice for women entering health sciences: "Be open to new innovations and technologies, and never give up."

The Women of Impact Award recognizes the U of A's commitment to honoring individuals who embody discovery and community service. These outstanding women represent groundbreaking research and innovation on campus and empower future healthcare providers. The award acknowledges leaders like Roveda, whose dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration and community impact furthers the university's mission and inspires future pioneers in health sciences.

A version of this story appeared on Health Sciences Connect.