Join us in celebrating an extraordinary achievement! Ten faculty members from the College of Nursing have been honored as 2025 Fab 50 Nurses by the Tucson Nurses Week Foundation. This record-breaking recognition highlights their outstanding leadership, compassion, and service to the community. As role models, mentors, and educators, they represent the very best of nursing, inspiring future generations and shaping the future of health care.

For more than 30 years, Terry A. Badger has been a cornerstone of the College of Nursing, leading groundbreaking research to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for cancer survivors and their families. A pioneer in psychosocial oncology, Badger’s work has transformed cancer care by focusing on the emotional well-being of patients and caregivers. Her passion for people, research, and mentorship continues to shape the future of nursing science — one meaningful connection at a time.

Sheri Carson is more than an assistant clinical professor — she’s a tireless advocate for children and a beloved mentor to future pediatric nurses. Carson's impact is deeply felt, from launching an innovative child abuse screening program to bringing the comfort of therapy dogs to campus. Now, her alma mater has honored her with a prestigious award, celebrating a career of compassion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the next generation of nurses.

Amber Price, a lecturer at the College of Nursing, is the driving force behind the Health Connectors Internship, a key part of the K-12 Health Literacy Project. As the director of the K-8 Health Connections Program and the primary instructor for Nursing 493, Price has designed a transformative course that equips students to teach health topics to children while developing their leadership and communication skills. Her innovative approach inspires future health professionals and fosters a culture of mentorship through the Super Connectors initiative, which helps students connect scientific concepts to real-life experiences, empowering them to make a lasting impact on community health.

At the 2025 Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) Conference, the College of Nursing showcased its leadership in advancing health care through innovative research, student engagement, and faculty expertise. With 13 PhD students presenting their work and faculty leading sessions on critical topics, the college demonstrated a strong presence and commitment to shaping the future of nursing. Notable recognitions, including top abstract awards and research grants, highlighted the impactful contributions of both students and faculty to nursing science and education.

Three exceptional Jonas Scholars from the College of Nursing, all current PhD students, attended the 2025 Student Policy Summit, hosted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in Washington, D.C. Another PhD student, the AACN 2025 Future Nurse Leader Scholarship recipient, joined them along with the college dean. Notably, the University of Arizona is the only institution in the nation with three Jonas Scholars in the 2024–26 cohort.

Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, an associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, was inducted into the Western Academy of Nurses during the Western Institute of Nursing Conference earlier this month.

The College of Nursing was named the 2024 Partner of the Year by the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Red Cross for its ongoing collaboration and community service efforts. Faculty and students from the college have worked closely with the Red Cross over the past three years, integrating volunteerism and fieldwork into undergraduate and graduate programs. This partnership has strengthened the Red Cross workforce while offering students valuable hands-on experience serving diverse communities.

The College of Nursing has achieved a historic milestone, with all three of its academic programs — bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral — ranked among the top 20 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This accomplishment positions the College among the elite nursing schools in the country and highlights its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. With each program also ranked No. 1 in Arizona, the College is playing a critical role in addressing the state’s nursing shortage and shaping the future of healthcare.

The College of Nursing is enhancing education with VR technology. Dean’s Scholar Award winner Chantal Skon leads a project using VR-compatible Expert Modeling Videos to improve medication administration training. This initiative helps nursing students build confidence and competence in a risk-free, immersive environment. By integrating cutting-edge technology, the college prepares future nurses for real-world clinical challenges.