“Her leadership in the fields of health policy and rural health, and within the college make her an ideal candidate for this role,� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the UCF College of Nursing.

A nationally known expert in her field, Edwards joined the faculty at the college in 2015 as a professor and serves as the Hugh F. and Jeannette McKean Endowed Chair. Edwards has served as interim chair of the Department of Nursing Systems since October 2017 when the college restructured to more accurately reflect the broader scope of programs and the profession.

For more than two decades, Edwards has influenced health policy, rural health and women’s health issues with her widely published research and by serving on several state and national committees. In rural Appalachian Tennessee, she helped establish a long-standing network of nurse-managed clinics that now provide care for thousands of underserved patients annually. Edwards is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and is a member of Sigma, the international honor society of nursing, the American Nurses Association and the National Rural Health Association.

Edwards has 40 years of experience in academia, serving as an educator and in various leadership roles. Prior to UCF, Edwards was a professor of graduate programs and associate dean for research at East Tennessee State º£½ÇÖ±²¥ College of Nursing. She earned her BSN and doctorate in health care administration from Ohio º£½ÇÖ±²¥, and her MSN from West Virginia º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

“Throughout our nearly four-decade long history, program offerings, faculty interests and students’ needs have continually evolved to meet national demand and the ever-changing health care environment,� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the College of Nursing. “As nurses today, we are impacting health care not only as caregivers at the bedside but as leaders, scientists and educators.�

“While the new structure may take time to adjust to and become familiar with, our faculty and administration are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for everyone,� added Sole.

The Department of Nursing Systems focuses on programs that educate individuals for greater leadership responsibilities within a health care system. The Department of Nursing Practice includes programs that focus on direct nursing care roles across patient groups. Undergraduate and graduate programs are located within the new departments as follows:

Maureen M. Covelli, PhD, RN, has been appointed chair of the Department of Nursing Practice. Covelli has been at the college since 1989. She previously served as associate dean for undergraduate affairs and is an associate professor whose research interests include cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Joellen Edwards, PhD, RN, FAAN, is serving as interim chair of the Department of Nursing Systems while the college undergoes a national search for the position. The Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing, Edwards is a nationally known expert on health policy and rural health with a special interest in women’s health issues.

Growing the university’s faculty is one of the key priorities for UCF over the next several years. Of the new and transitioning personnel, a majority are serving in new roles within the college while others are filling open positions to replace retired or departing professors.

“Nurses, in particular those with baccalaureate degrees or higher, are in high demand throughout the country,� said Dr. Mary Lou Sole, dean at the UCF College of Nursing. “Our new faculty members will not only help us meet growing demand for our programs, but help make critical advancements in health care by expanding our research areas including the fields of simulation, gerontology and acute care. We’re excited to bring these new experts to UCF and pleased to continue to leverage the expertise of our existing faculty.�

New ranked faculty members include:

Faculty members transitioning to a new ranked position include:

In addition to these 10 new and transitioning ranked faculty, the college has added six new instructors/lecturers to the undergraduate department, including Carol Burgunder, Chris Deatrick, Nancy Duckworth, Dr. Enitan Ekwotafia, Dr. Frances Iacobellis and Dr. Cherrill Stockmann.