HSC College of Nursing associate dean for research earns recognition from national health care magazine
Tonychris Nnaka, associate dean for research at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth College of Nursing, recently was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of its 40 Under 40 for 2024.
The program recognizes the health care industry’s rising stars up through age 40 who contribute to a culture of innovation and help their organizations achieve and exceed financial, operational and clinical goals. The senior editors of Modern Healthcare select the 40 Under 40 honorees, with input from the organization’s newsroom.
“Dr. Nnaka certainly deserves this recognition,” said Cindy Weston, founding dean of the HSC College of Nursing. “His contributions to the field of nursing are significant, and I am proud to have him on our College of Nursing leadership team.”
Nnaka is a seasoned nurse leader and health disparities researcher, specializing in cardiovascular disease management and digital therapeutics. He received his research training at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing under the National Institute of Nursing Research T-32 Precision Health Training in Self-Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions and at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College under the National Institute on Drug Abuse T-32 Science of Co-Occurring Disorders. Nnaka leads the Cardiovascular Digital Therapeutics and Health Equity Lab, where his research is dedicated to leveraging digital health methods for the self-management of cardiovascular diseases in diverse populations.
Nnaka formerly served as a health policy advisor to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, overseeing COVID-19 responses in collaboration with Dallas County and spearheading public outreach initiatives related to Johnson’s health and environmental policy agenda.
In addition, he recently was named one of the recipients of the Dallas College 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.
“Our inaugural class of 40 Under 40 demonstrates the wide range of talent needed in health care today and in the years to come,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “They are the rising stars who will propel the industry forward with a focus on innovation, efficiency, affordability and compassion.”
Profiles of Nnaka and the other honorees are featured in the Feb. 12 issue of MH magazine and online.
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