KSU Nursing Professors Honored

Kennesaw State nursing professors Mary Dioise Ramos and Chinomso Nwozichi have been selected as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.

Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.

“The FAAN designation is a high honor in the profession of nursing that acknowledges excellent research, influence on policy, and community impact,” said Susan Dyess, the Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair of Nursing, Professor and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing, WSON is proud of the new inductees who join worldwide prestigious nursing scholars.”

The Academy is a policy organization and an honorific society that recognizes nursing's most accomplished leaders in policy, research, practice, administration and academia to advance equitable solutions to the most complex health care challenges. Academy Fellows hold a wide variety of influential roles in health care in the U.S. and abroad. Induction into the Fellowship represents more than recognition of one's accomplishments within the nursing profession. Fellows contribute their collective expertise to the Academy, engaging with health leaders nationally and globally to improve health and achieve health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation and science.

An associate professor of nursing and associate director of graduate programs in the Wellstar School of Nursing, Ramos joined KSU’s faculty in 2018 and has established herself as a leader in research and teaching. In 2022 she received a $149,974 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association as well as a separate grant from the Asian Resource Center for Minority Aging Research. Her research tackles healthcare challenges faced by family caregivers and vulnerable populations, particularly those with dementia and from migrant backgrounds. Her accolades include the Georgia Asian Times Valiant Award, the Florence Nightingale Award, the Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing and the Excellence in Research Award.

“This honor reinforces my belief that through rigorous inquiry and meaningful impact, we can drive positive change in healthcare and transform the lives of those we serve,” she said. “This recognition validates my hard work and expertise, opening doors to new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and continued growth. My induction as a Fellow will further enhance my reputation as a thought leader in nursing and provide a platform to inspire the next generation of nurse leaders.”

An assistant professor of nursing with a focus on oncology, Nwozichi joined KSU’s faculty in 2023. In addition to excelling in teaching and research, he became a Certified Medical Surgical Nurse in December 2023 and an Oncology Certified Nurse last month. Nwozichi was recently voted in as vice-president of the Mu Phi at-large chapter of Sigma Theta Tau honor society of nursing.

“This esteemed recognition not only acknowledges my dedication and contributions to the field of nursing and cancer care but also highlights the collective efforts and excellence of KSU,” he said. “My goal is to continue improving healthcare access and quality for all, particularly underserved populations. This involves advocating for better healthcare policies, educating the community, conducting impactful research, fostering valuable partnerships and mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders.

Ramos and Nwozichi join KSU professor of nursing Doreen Wagner, who became a Fellow in 2020.

The newest Fellows, selected from a competitive pool of applicants, represent 37 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and 14 countries. Their unique expertise and expansive body of knowledge will soon bolster the collective impact of over 3,000 Academy Fellows to achieve the Academy’s vision of healthy lives for all people.

Ramos, Nwozichi and the 2024 inductees will be recognized for their contributions to health and health care at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in Washington, DC during the induction ceremony on the evening of Nov. 2.