Stephan Davis, DNP, interim associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions, recently began a two-year term on the American Academy of Nursing Diversity & Inclusivity Committee. The committee comprises AAN fellows appointed by the board to recommend strategies and goals for increasing diversity and inclusivity within the academy and its leadership bodies.

“I am so honored to represent VCU School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions on this important national committee,” Davis said. “As a Black member of the LGBTQ+ community, as a millennial, and as a cisgender man within nursing, I believe the intersection of my lived experiences combined with my professional expertise related to diversity, equity and inclusion will offer a unique perspective to advance the work and impact of the academy.”

Davis, who is executive director of inclusive leadership education for the Department of Health Administration, is a board-certified nurse executive and certified academic nurse educator, a fellow and national faculty member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a distinguished scholar and fellow of the National Academies of Practice, a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a newly inducted fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

As the interim associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion for the School of Nursing,

Davis leads the work of the school’s diversity and inclusion council; guides the evaluation of school policies, standards and practices to reflect a commitment to diversity and inclusion values; supports initiatives that ensure inclusive andragogy and teaching strategies; and promotes understanding of health disparities, social determinants of health and health equity.

“As a community of scholars and educators, the VCU School of Nursing is committed to inclusive excellence in education, research, scholarship, practice and service,” said Jean Giddens, Ph.D., dean and professor, Doris B. Yingling Endowed Chair, VCU School of Nursing. “We are excited by the perspective Dr. Davis will gain from his service on the national level and we look forward to his leadership of our DEI efforts.”

“As members of the most trusted profession in America, nursing faculty have a tremendous responsibility to educate the next generation of nurse leaders, practitioners and scholars,” Davis said. “We must ensure that trust in the nursing profession is earned in all communities, including those that have historically faced stigma, mistreatment and discrimination in health care settings. This will require us to restore trust with members of our profession who are from historically underrepresented and excluded backgrounds, who have much to contribute as we strive to eradicate health disparities and achieve health equity. This work is part of our enduring pursuit of inclusive excellence at the VCU School of Nursing.”