PVAMU dean, alumna recognized as leaders in field of nursing

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PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 18, 2024) - Two leaders in nursing from Prairie View A&M University are making history by being inducted into the first class of 176 Fellows selected for the newly established Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing.

Dr. Allyssa Harris, RN, PhD, WHNP-BC, dean and professor in the College of Nursing at PVAMU, and Dr. Bettye Davis Lewis '59, president of the Alumni Chapter for PVAMU's College of Nursing, are shining a light on the dedication, service, and investment of nurses who have been trailblazers in their field, whether in the classroom, the medical field and beyond.

"To be included with these nurse leaders is pretty special because I know that many of them have experienced inequities throughout their careers, and many lived and worked during times when racism and discrimination were daily occurrences," Dr. Harris said. "And although I have experienced these challenges, they have persevered and become leaders advocating for us all. They are role models to me and for us all. It is the ability to see yourself in others, to see the possibility, that propels all of us forward."

The inaugural ADLN Fellows by the National Black Nurses Association have demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of nursing education, research, practice, policy, and administration. "It has been said that those closest to the problem are closest to the solutions. Indeed, we will harness our collective strengths to advance the nursing profession and enhance the quality of healthcare for all," stated Kenya V. Beard, EdD, RN, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, inaugural ADLN president.

Harris, who leads on PVAMU's campus by sharing her experience and knowledge with new nurses, founded the College of Nursing Diverse Nurse Leaders lecture series. Four of the speakers who have been included in this series are also part of the inaugural class of fellows. They are G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN, Angela Amar, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Catherine Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN.

Alongside Dr. Harris, humanitarian Dr. Bettye Davis Lewis, an alumna of PVAMU and a leader in the field of nursing and the Prairie View A&M community, is also highlighting the importance of giving back and living out PVAMU's motto, "Prairie View Produces Productive People."

"I believe in hard work and excellence - if you believe in those things, and I believe in excellence especially, you will make it where you want to be," Dr. Davis Lewis said. "I hope that nursing will be one of the most outstanding professions in the medical field. We need more nurses, and we need well-trained nurses, and I hope to see that in the future to overcome the challenges that nurses now encounter."

Championing the Future of Nurses

Dr. Davis Lewis's background is not just in nursing - equally important to her are education and leadership. She encourages nurses she mentors and leads to not just invest in their jobs in the field but to also invest in their community. She says, "Without teachers, there would be no nurses."

"My PhD is in education. It is very important to me to help young people discover the value of education, research, and practical work," Dr. Davis Lewis said. "If they can use those tools, they can help many others who need help. I want them to bring those skills together to solve problems they see right in front of them, ultimately leading to better healthcare, especially for those who don't have a voice."

Dr. Davis-Lewis has held a variety of positions in nursing, ranging from staff nurse and educator to director of nurses in several agencies. She has been named a fellow to several prestigious honors and societies, as well as served on numerous boards. She described her approach to service as always being an ambassador to the University, no matter where her career takes her.

"I always try to help others," she said. "I went on to clinical nursing and thought this was not enough for me. PV teaches you to be productive."

She champions the future of nurses who are following in her footsteps with her devotion to the growth and sustainability of the College of Nursing.

"We have to learn to be respectful of people and treat everyone as humans. That is at the heart of compassionate nursing," Dr. Davis Lewis said. "We all stand on the shoulders of others. We have to lay a good foundation for young nurses to work together as colleagues, partners, and leaders.

She explained that her goal as a leader is to guide nurses to become leaders themselves - in both the hospital room or clinic and their communities.

"Giving back is a cycle," Dr. Davis Lewis said. "I often hear from students I have supported through scholarships or encouraged to keep going, and they are always grateful. And they are ready to pay that forward and do more good. That's what we need in the medical field."

Keeping Mentorship and Nursing Education at the Center

Dr. Harris also reflected on the call to nurture the growth of a future generation of nurses.

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"My goal is to ensure that all individuals are provided with the best physical and psycho-social care, grounded in science while supporting the whole person," Dr Harris said. "To do this, we must educate the next generation that nursing is not about tasks but about providing care to and connecting with each person. It's about understanding the human experience and assisting individuals to meet their healthcare needs within the context of their lives. I believe that we are educating the next generation of diverse nurse leaders, who will work to reduce health disparities and improve health equity for all."

Dr. Harris emphasized that she believes it's important to "reach back and help someone along" because we all had mentorship and guidance along the way.

As a nurse and educator, she mentioned that guiding women's health policies nationally, presenting at conferences, and researching partner child sexual communication and diversity in nursing have all been significant accomplishments, but mentoring or teaching a new nurse and furthering the medical field through investment in others has been most impactful for her.

"I'd like to think of my biggest accomplishments as guiding and mentoring students and others along the way," Harris said. "I've had several individuals who have planted 'seeds' or thoughts for me to consider that helped me think about or consider this instead of that. For me, those were life-changing. I am overjoyed and humbled to be part of the legacy of the CON. Working alongside the faculty and staff has meant so much to me."

Harris's work in the clinical field helped her to ask questions and cultivate curiosity in practice, research, and education with the patient at the center.

"I say that everything is grounded in clinical practice; we are educated at the nurse generalist level, the BS degree," Harris said. "But to change clinical practice, you need the knowledge and skills to undertake research, which leads you to education."

For Harris, she began to impart knowledge through mentorship and nursing education. Returning to school for her doctorate to answer those burning questions led her to think about imparting her knowledge to students in the classroom.

"Helping them gain the skills necessary to become an excellent nurse and seeing the wonder and excitement in those 'aha' moments were changemakers for me," Harris said. "Educating students that nursing is grounded in knowledge, theory, and the human condition, and experience is key. But it was also important to understand that we must be guiding practice at the table."

Eyes on the Prize

As Dr. Harris embarks on a new phase of the journey and is inducted into this inaugural class of fellows alongside Dr. Davis-Lewis, their selection, along with the others, represents exactly that work: diversity, representation, and the generous sharing of knowledge and experience.

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For the next generation of PVAMU nursing students hoping to make a difference in the world and asking curious questions with Harris and Davis-Lewis, she has some simple advice: Keep your eyes on the prize; what's your goal? Set a plan and move forward.

"I'm humbled to have been included in this inaugural class and honored by the National Black Nurses Association. When I graduated way back in 1985, I had no idea that I would be where I am today," Dr. Davis Lewis said. "It won't always be easy, but with God's help, your community behind you, a belief in yourself, and hard work, you will reach it."

The inaugural ADLN induction ceremony will take place on July 25, 2024, in San Francisco, California, after the opening ceremony of the 52nd Annual Institute and Conference of the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. After the induction ceremony, honorees will be awarded with an FADLN credential.

By Meredith Mohr

-PVAMU-

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