Alumnus of Distinction Award
The School of Nursing and Health Studies Alumnus of Distinction Award recognizes graduates who have contributed to the betterment of nursing and related health care professions. The annual award is presented to a distinguished graduate for bringing honor and recognition to the University of Miami and for exemplary professional or personal achievement.
DOCTORATE OPENS DOORS FOR DENKER
After Hurricane Katrina, Ann-Lynn Denker joined Florida Department of Health volunteers on a medical mission to Mississippi.
Attitudes have changed in the years since Ann-Lynn Denker, Ph.D. '89,
A.R.N.P., enrolled in the University of Miami's nursing doctoral
program."Back then people would ask why I decided to get a
doctorate instead of becoming a medical doctor," she recalls.No one's questioning her decision now. As the human subjects officer and magnet program director at Jackson Health System, Denker demonstrates the value of her doctoral degree on a daily basis. She oversees all research conducted at the medical facility to ensure that patients' rights and welfare are protected. She also has the daunting task of verifying that researchers comply with the myriad federal regulations that govern research involving human subjects.
"Having the doctorate helps me understand and interpret research, evaluate its appropriateness for the Jackson Health System, and translate research findings into practice information for the hospital's clinical staff," Denker says. It also gives her the credentials and knowledge to collaborate with faculty from a variety of disciplines and teach research methods and clinical ethics to the nursing staff.
A clinical pediatric nurse specialist before pursuing her doctorate, Denker chose to utilize her research background in a clinical setting. She currently also serves as director of nursing for UM's Clinical Ethics programs, sits on Jackson's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research, and serves on the Office of Nursing Research Advisory Committee at the School of Nursing and Health Studies.
