Dean Davidson: Our Body of Work

One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic has been increased recognition of nurses and the depth and breadth of our work. From researcher to clinician, infectious disease specialist to social justice advocate, nurses are diverse, and we wear uniforms that are hardly one-size-fits-all.

In “The Anatomy of a Hopkins Nurse,” we take a microscope to the inner workings of Hopkins Nurses and shine a light on the diverse roles, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences that make up our profession. We dive into the anatomy of Keith Boettiger, an alumnus who has used his nursing background to ensure quality control of medical devices for people with chronic pain. And within Beatrice Marseille, we see an anatomy so diverse it ranges from entrepreneur to service coordinator to preceptor. You can even chart your own anatomy as a nurse.

And it’s also our diversity that has given us the strength and resolve to stay courageous and committed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are sincerely proud of two awards in this area: The HEED Award for Diversity and a recognition as a Best School for Men in Nursing. As our world continues to deal with the ripple effects of this unprecedented virus, Hopkins Nurses are using their expertise to make an impact. Jason Farley, an outspoken advocate for common-sense public health measures, has served as a media spokesperson for mask wearing, social distancing, and handwashing. And Vinciya Pandian, a world-renowned researcher on the use of ventilators, worked quickly to safeguard both COVID patients and health care personnel.

Whether you’re a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist, or still en route to your final nursing destination, one thing that binds us together is a calling to heal, help, and make a difference to families and communities. We each live for a unique purpose, and yet we’re all under the umbrella we call nursing. It’s what makes our profession one of the best and most influential. The opportunities are boundless, and no two anatomies are the same.

Please enjoy the issue.

Patricia M. Davidson
PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN
Dean, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing