Jennifer Rose Saxton, a DNP student in the College of Nursing’s Executive Health Systems Leadership program, is elevating awareness of forensic nursing through data-driven policy work and statewide advocacy in Arizona. Her efforts led to a proclamation establishing November 8, 2025, as Forensic Nurses Day, highlighting the critical role forensic nurses play in caring for survivors of violence and trauma. Through her academic work and leadership at SACASA, Saxton is advancing trauma-informed care, shaping policy, and strengthening support for vulnerable populations.

Partnership in action: Through its collaboration with the American Red Cross, University of Arizona College of Nursing students are stepping beyond the classroom, volunteering in communities, delivering life-saving education, and helping lead a nationally recognized effort to combat extreme heat. These hands-on experiences are shaping the next generation of nurses to lead with skill, compassion, and a deep understanding of community health.

Three College of Nursing faculty members, Lauren Acosta, Ruth Taylor-Piliae, and Chen X. Chen, were selected for a competitive, university-wide mentoring program focused on strengthening leadership across the University of Arizona. The year-long initiative, offered through the MENTOR Institute, supports professional growth through workshops, mentorship, and collaboration. Their involvement reflects the college’s strong leadership presence and is expected to enhance both individual development and the broader university community.

The College of Nursing continues to rank among the nation’s best in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, with its DNP and MSN programs leading the state and placing in the top tier nationally. These distinctions underscore the college’s commitment to preparing highly skilled nurses and addressing critical healthcare workforce needs.

Arizona faces a critical need for expanded, evidence-based mental health care, prompting new efforts to better prepare healthcare professionals. Faculty from the College of Nursing and other colleagues from the University of Arizona have been selected for a national fellowship that supports integrating emerging research and evolving treatment approaches into academic curricula. Through this initiative, they aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to thoughtfully address complex patient needs in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Francis Quartey, a DNP nurse anesthesiology student, published research showing that virtual reality can significantly reduce preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients. His review of 30 studies found that VR improves cooperation during anesthesia induction, lowers stress markers, and reduces the need for sedative medications. The findings support VR as a safe, evidence-based alternative while highlighting the need for greater clinical adoption and implementation.

PhD student Todd Adams has been selected for the competitive NIH AIM-AHEAD Machine Learning Training Program, where he will develop skills in applying AI and data analytics to real-world healthcare challenges. One of 50 participants nationwide, Adams will gain hands-on experience with large-scale clinical data while advancing his research on complex healthcare systems. His selection reflects the growing role of nurse scientists in leading data-driven innovation and highlights the College of Nursing’s strength in preparing researchers at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Repeated painful episodes like period pain can change how the nervous system processes pain, leaving some people more vulnerable to chronic conditions. Yet researchers give it little attention.

Kaitlynn Eslinger, a College of Nursing DNP student, partnered with Gilbert Fire and Rescue to train first responders in a rare, life-saving airway procedure. Shortly after completing the training, a crew successfully performed the intervention in the field, saving a patient’s life. The hands-on program significantly increased responders’ confidence in managing critical airway emergencies. Her work highlights the real-world impact of simulation-based education in improving patient outcomes.

Miles of desert mark the border between Arizona and Mexico, but in higher education, those boundaries quickly fade. Through a longstanding partnership between the University of Arizona and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, students and faculty collaborate to learn, research, and serve communities across borders. Recently, seven UNAM nursing students spent six months in Tucson as part of this exchange, showcasing how the global partnership is preparing the next generation of health leaders to work beyond boundaries.