Dean Ahn’s National Roles Strengthen Nursing Curriculum and Community Impact
The College of Nursing is proud to share that Brian Ahn, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, FAAN, college dean, has been appointed to three prestigious national committees dedicated to advancing nursing education and healthcare innovation. Through his involvement with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), Ahn is helping to enhance the college’s commitment to excellence and innovative healthcare solutions, supporting the college’s ongoing efforts to prepare students for meaningful careers in nursing and contribute to research that benefits patient care.
Ahn has been selected to serve on the AACN Essentials Implementation Steering Committee, where he collaborates with others to guide the integration of updated educational standards for nursing programs nationwide, establishing the foundation for competency-based nursing curricula. His involvement ensures that faculty at the College of Nursing have a voice in national curriculum development, directly influencing how nursing students are educated and guaranteeing that they acquire the skills necessary to thrive in modern healthcare.
“I am honored to serve on the AACN Essentials Implementation Steering Committee, where I can help shape the future of nursing education by ensuring our curricula reflect the competencies needed in today’s healthcare landscape. This role enables me to amplify the College of Nursing’s voice on a national stage,” said Dean Ahn.
Additionally, as a member of the AACN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Ahn supports initiatives to create a more diverse and compassionate workforce. He continues to serve on the Edge Runners National Advisory Council with the AAN. This respected group identifies and promotes nurse-led innovations that enhance healthcare quality, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. These opportunities enable Ahn to bring valuable insights back to the college, further supporting its mission to address community needs in Arizona and beyond.
Beyond these prestigious appointments, Ahn’s influence extends further through various leadership roles and accolades. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal, steering critical discourse in the field with its editorial board. Ahn also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), championing underrepresented voices in nursing. As President-Elect of the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA), he is prepared to lead initiatives to advance the professional development of nurses in this community. Furthermore, Ahn received a Service Award from the American Nurses Association for his role on the Inaugural National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing from 2021 to 2022, highlighting his commitment to addressing systemic challenges.
His distinguished service has also earned him a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research, and Development Service, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a Board Member and Chair of the Subcommittee on Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders and Neuropathic Pain from April 1, 2021, to August 23, 2023.
Dean Ahn states, “Leading the Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal as the Editor-in-Chief and serving in positions such as President-Elect of AAPINA and on the NCEMNA Board of Directors enables me to elevate underrepresented perspectives in nursing while promoting professional growth. The acknowledgment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Nurses Association reflects my dedication to addressing complex issues, such as advancements in rehabilitation care that drive meaningful change resonating from the national level back to our college’s mission.”
Through these efforts, Ahn is assisting the College of Nursing in addressing challenges such as the nursing shortage in Arizona. His contributions to national committees and research discussions bolster the college’s goal of equipping students to meet healthcare needs with skill and care. For nursing students, this signifies learning in an environment influenced by contemporary ideas and practical research. It provides them with a solid foundation and positions them as competitive leaders in the field. For the college, it represents an opportunity to continue evolving as a hub where nursing education and patient-centered research converge to create a positive impact.