American Academy of Nursing to induct Tonychris Nnaka into 2025 class of fellows
Tonychris Nnaka, Ph.D., MPH, RN, CPH, associate dean for research and associate professor at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s College of Nursing, will be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing’s 2025 class of fellows during the organization’s annual Health Policy Conference, Oct. 16-18 in Washington, D.C.
According to the Academy, it received a historically high number of distinguished applicants, resulting in an accomplished cohort from 42 states and 12 countries.
“I cannot emphasize enough at this pivotal time in history the vital importance of recognizing this extraordinary and sizeable group of nurse leaders,” said Academy President Linda D. Scott, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN. “Induction into the Academy represents the highest honor in nursing. Earning the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing credential is a prestigious recognition of one’s accomplishments and signifies the power of nursing to transform health and enact positive outcomes.”
Nnaka is a nationally recognized voice and thought leader in nursing, digital health and health equity, and has been a driving force of innovation in clinical care, research and policy for advancement of culturally responsive and technology-enabled solutions for underserved communities. 
His impact spans globally, from founding a Nigerian Elementary school in 2016, which has since provided quality education to more than 1,000 children, to leading Parkland Health’s critical care unit as a nurse clinical manager during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was among the first nurses to manage ICU-level patients. He has also held key administrative roles including serving as a health care policy advisor to the mayor of Dallas.
“I am honored to be recognized and to receive this highest honor from the Academy,” Nnaka said. “It truly took a village to get here, and I owe this recognition to all who have supported me throughout this journey. It is an exciting time to be a nurse, and I am incredibly grateful to be working alongside great nurse leaders here at UNTHSC.”
A proud graduate of the UNTHSC College of Public Health Class of 2018, Nnaka returned from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth to join the founding leadership of the new College of Nursing in 2023. He launched the College of Nursing’s Office of Research and Scholarship, and under his leadership, the College of Nursing has secured more than $1.5 million in federal research funding and initiated wide-reaching programs that benefit both the institution and the community.
The American Academy of Nursing, established in 1973, is a premiere society dedicated to advancing health policy and practice by leveraging nursing expertise and knowledge of health care professionals around the globe.
Social media