By Pareasa Rahimi
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Felesia Bowen, PhD, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, FAAN, has been selected to serve as Ambassador of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research. The FNINR provides resources to support nursing research and advance the mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research.
FNINR Ambassadors are a group of nursing and health care leaders who display excellence in research, leadership and communications, with their efforts coinciding with work being done by the FNINR Board and others who champion nurses’ contributions to science. NINR is a key funder of nursing research led by nurse scientists.
“The institute funds cutting edge research that allows many of the scientists at the School to generate new knowledge that impacts the health and well-being for the citizens of Alabama and the nation,” Bowen said.
With growing research funding as FNINR’s primary goal, Bowen is involved in educating Congressional members and staff regarding the impact such funding has on continued scientific breakthroughs and training. Bowen also serves as a resource in supporting NINR’s mission at regional research conferences and with local policy makers and media to emphasize the influence of NINR’s intramural and extramural research.
“I am very honored to share the importance of NINR with representatives at the state and federal level,” Bowen said. “It is so important for our leaders to know and understand the contributions of nurse scientists to health and health outcomes, so they continue to appropriate funds for this important work.”
Bowen earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science from Columbia University in 2010. She joined the UAB School of Nursing in August 2021 as the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She also is a Professor in the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care and has distinguished herself as a leader in the areas of pediatric asthma, health disparities and health equity. Bowen is a nationally certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has a strong academic nursing background with expertise in teaching, service and research.