Three Outstanding Faculty Promoted

Monday, Sep 27, 2021

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation is pleased to announce that three new faculty members have recently been promoted from within the ranks of the College, effective September 1, 2021.

Dr. Donna Hamby has been promoted from Clinical Assistant Professor to Clinical Associate Professor. Hamby is currently the Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, which has seen incredible growth under her leadership. She is also one of the newest recipients in CONHI of the Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing from the National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE). Hamby’s research focuses on APRN practice and health policy outcomes, and she currently teaches faculty for the NP Masters and DNP/PhD programs. Hamby has been with CONHI since 2015. “I am blessed to work with the outstanding faculty at CONHI,” said Hamby.

“Donna is an exceptional asset to our graduate nursing program. She has spearheaded success among our DNP program, is an outstanding mentor to students, and her dedication to her craft is commendable,” said Dr. John Gonzalez, chair of the department of graduate nursing. “This is a well-deserved promotion for someone who continues to support our mission day in and day out, we are all very happy for her.”

Dr. Kathryn Daniel has been promoted from Associate Professor to Professor. Daniel has dedicated her career to improving the lives of older adults. An experienced educator, she views teaching as the means by which she can touch the lives of older adults through future nurses who will be caring for them in their communities. She has also dedicated her research to patient safety for older adults. Daniel has been with CONHI since 2007, and is well known for her interprofessional collaborations with faculty across the university. “I love what I do and choose to do it every day. The teams that I work with at UTA and my network of scholars elsewhere have made my success possible; nothing about professional academic success is achieved in a silo. Every day I learn something new!,” said Daniel.

“Dr. Daniel has a stellar reputation as a collaborator and a leader in the science of caring for older adults. She influenced me greatly in how I conceive research projects and inspired me to tackle the challenges facing primary care of older adults, especially those under served. Our federally funded patient safety learning lab at UTA is an example of Dr. Daniel’s roles in high profile research at the national stage,” shared Dr. Yan Xiao, professor and regular partner and collaborator with Daniel.

Dr. Zui Pan has been promoted from Associate Professor to Professor. Pan is passionate about teaching both classroom-based didactic courses and individual-based independent study. Her teaching interests include biotechnology, physiology, pathophysiology and cell imaging, and her research is focused on calcium signaling in esophageal cancer, muscle and heart diseases. Pan has been with CONHI since 2016. “It has been my pleasure and honor to work with many talented scholars and hard-working students in CONHI at UTA. I treasure the opportunity to expand my teaching, research and service,” said Pan.

“I have known and worked with Dr. Zui Pan now for many years,” said Dr. Marco Brotto, George & Mary Hazel Jay Endowed Professor, Director of the Bone-Muscle Research Center and Director of the PHD in Nursing Program. “When she was recruited to our College/UTA in 2016, I was so proud of her research accomplishments. In these five years here, Zui has proven to be a Professor! She is an outstanding scientist, teacher, mentor, inventor, and collaborator. She forges ahead and brings people together. Congratulations Dr. Pan, now ‘thou art a perpetual triumph, an everlasting bonfire-light!’”

“These three faculty members exemplify the spirit of our College, and have shown time and again their dedication to their students, research, and advancing health globally,” shared Dr. Elizabeth Merwin, CONHI dean. “Their service to building up our faculty, chairing committees, interprofessional collaboration, and their spectacular growth is commendable, and these promotions are well deserved for them all.”