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Baltimore, Md. – For the eighth consecutive year, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has earned the Insight Into Academia magazine’s Health Professions Higher Education and Excellence Award (HEED), the only national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building across all levels of campus life. “We are deeply honored to receive the HEED Award for the eighth time, an achievement few institutions can claim,” said Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, CNE, FADLN, CWCN-AP, assistant professor and associate dean for strategic engagement and impact (SEI). “This recognition affirms UMSON’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence and belonging. While the application for this award allows us to celebrate our achievements, it also challenges us to reflect on where we can grow as we continue this journey.” UMSON will be featured, along with 28 other health profession higher education institutions (62 higher education institutions total), in the October 2025 issue of INSIGHT Into Academia magazine, a leader in advancing best practices in higher education excellence. The award celebrates institutions that have implemented comprehensive strategies to support excellence in student success, employee recruitment and retention, and welcoming environments where everyone can achieve success. Applications are evaluated for initiatives across recruitment, retention, policy, programs, leadership, and more. The application is open to all accredited U.S. and Canadian health profession schools, including medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary, and osteopathic medical schools.  UMSON proudly embraces its statement In UniSON: Together We Commit, Together We Act, which guides the School in creating an environment where all are welcomed and supported to be successful. More than 65% of UMSON students identify as racially and ethnically diverse, and 12% are male — both figures above the national average for nursing schools. Equity and justice are one set of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s core values, and UMSON works to integrate these values fully and authentically into all aspects of its work and community. UMSON’s Office of SEI offers individual and departmental support with a focus on relationship and community building and advocacy to ensure equity in policies and practices at all levels. It has developed activities, events, and affinity groups to engage faculty, staff, and students in thinking more broadly about a more inclusive community. Highlights of UMSON’s ongoing SEI efforts include: partnering with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to host a holistic admissions workshop, reinforcing UMSON’s commitment to evaluating students beyond traditional metrics by considering their experiences, attributes, and academic potential strengthening partnerships with Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools to support college readiness efforts expanding UMSON’s presence at community events and attending multiple middle and high school programs aimed at engaging underrepresented students in health care careers partnering with admissions to host Workshop Wednesdays, an initiative providing prospective and newly admitted students with resources on inclusive learning environments, student support services, and pathways for success offering “Together in UniSON,” the Office of SEI’s faculty and staff professional development initiative to support engagement and create an environment where employees can thrive continuing its Booked for Lunch club, which explores books and documentaries about health equity and by diverse creators advancing UMSON’s Restorative Practices program, placing UMSON at the forefront of fostering robust and healthy relationships across the campus and local communities supporting the SEI Council, comprised of students, staff, and faculty who draw from a dynamic range of backgrounds and support strategic engagement initiatives in partnership with the Office of SEI. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program continues to thrive, according to the newly released U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs, which ranked UMSON No. 13 in the nation (tied with 8 other institutions) out of 686 accredited nursing schools ranked. Among public schools of nursing, UMSON is ranked 10 in the nation (tied with 4 other public nursing schools). “It is extremely gratifying to be recognized as one of the top baccalaureate nursing programs in the nation,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “It is a true testament to our program leadership, our faculty and staff, and all who support our efforts. We are proud of our graduates who are well equipped to serve as highly skilled nurses meeting the needs of individuals, their families, and our diverse communities, not only in Maryland, but nationally and internationally.” UMSON’s BSN program encompasses an entry-into-nursing program and an RN-to-BSN program for already licensed practicing nurses. The program prepares students to excel in nursing careers across a broad spectrum of acute, chronic, and community-based settings. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2023 New Graduate Employment Data (the latest year available) indicates that 70% of employers express a strong preference for BSN program graduates, while one-quarter of hospitals and other health care settings require a BSN for employment.  “We are thrilled that the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s BSN program continues to earn national recognition,” said Kathleen “Katie” McElroy, PhD ’16, MS ’10, BSN ’98, RN, CNE, associate professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program. “This achievement highlights the critical impact of the program and its essential role in addressing the nursing shortage,” McElroy continued. “Students are at the center of everything we do. While we take immense pride in supporting their growth during their time with us, we are even more excited to see them graduate as competent, compassionate professionals ready to transform health care through excellence in practice, leadership, and scholarship. We are deeply grateful to all the faculty, staff, and clinical partners who contribute to the academic and clinical preparation of these future nurses.” In addition to serving practicing nurses seeking a BSN degree, UMSON’s RN-to-BSN program boasts dual-admission partnerships with all 15 community colleges in Maryland that offer an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, enabling a smooth transition for ADN students into UMSON’s BSN program. The entry-into-nursing BSN program, to which UMSON admitted 226 students this fall, is offered at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland.  In this program, through innovative partnerships developed by UMSON’s dedicated faculty, students gain immersive experiences in diverse settings, ranging from acute care and intensive care to hospice care, home care, and school health, ensuring they are ready to meet the evolving needs of today’s health care landscape, McElroy said. UMSON is one of only a few schools nationwide with a required BSN course that embeds palliative and end-of-life care into the core of their skillset. Since its launch in 2023, nearly 1,000 BSN students have completed the course and earned an End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) certificate for their portfolios. In recognition of its impact, UMSON received the 2024 ELNEC Award of Excellence. U.S. News & World Report rankings are determined by scores received from surveys of top academics and officials at nursing schools or departments at institutions nationwide that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. In addition, the institutions must be regionally accredited and have recently awarded at least 50 BSN degrees. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members and six alumni have been selected as 2025 Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), recognizing their extraordinary contributions to improving health locally and globally. FAANs represent nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. The inductees will be recognized for their substantial and sustained impact on health and health care at the academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, Oct. 16 - 18 in Washington, D.C. The UMSON faculty inductees are Veronica Y. Amos, PhD, MS ’07, MS ’00, BSN ’99, CRNA, PHCNS-BC, FAANA, assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia specialty; and Joan Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, ACHPN, FGSA, FPCN, associate professor. Six additional UMSON alumni join Amos and Carpenter among the more than 200 fellows who compose this year’s cohort: Kami Cooper, DNP, MS ’05, PMHNP-BC, CCWS, behavioral health and wellness chief, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Vicki Freedenberg, PhD ’13, BSN ’80, RN, electrophysiology nurse scientist, Children’s National Hospital and George Washington University School of Medicine; associate professor of pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine Young Ji Lee, PhD, MS ’09, RN, vice chair for administration and associate professor of nursing and medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Jennifer Moon, DNP ’20, MPH, FNP-BC, chief nurse officer, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Helga Scharf-Bell, DNP ’16, FNP-BC, NHDP-BC, director, National Disaster Medical System; chief nursing officer, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Gee Su Yang, PhD ’17, RN, assistant professor, University of Connecticut School of Nursing As director of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty, Amos is responsible for the specialty’s overall curricular leadership, for maintaining accreditation, and for students’ academic success. She joined UMSON in 2011 as an assistant professor and the assistant director of the specialty. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist who specializes in anesthesia for HIV-positive patients. In 2021, she was inducted as inaugural Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. In 2023, she received a four-year grant of nearly $200,000 from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration for Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships. The competitive grant provides federal funds for nurse anesthetist students to gain clinical experience in rural, underserved areas. Last year, she was selected to serve as the chair of the National Certification Examination Committee for 2024 - 25. The committee writes the questions for the certifying examination through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Carpenter serves as a health scientist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and practices as a nurse practitioner with Coastal Hospice and Palliative Care in Salisbury, Maryland, in addition to her role as faculty at UMSON since 2020. With more than two decades of experience, she is a nationally recognized expert in geriatric palliative care, particularly in post-acute and long-term care settings. Carpenter’s research focuses on implementing and evaluating non-pharmacologic palliative care interventions to improve quality of life, reduce symptom burden, and enhance decision-making for individuals with serious illness and their care partners. She has led and contributed to numerous federally funded projects, including initiatives to improve access to dementia palliative care in nursing homes and to elicit and respect care preferences for seriously ill veterans. Her work has significantly advanced the integration of evidence-based palliative care practices in nursing home settings, influencing both clinical care and policy. A member of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association since 2012, she received its Excellence In Research Award in 2024. She was named a Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association in 2018. In 2022, she was a recipient of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. Most recently, she was named a member of the 2025 Class of Fellows of the Gerontological Society of America. “We congratulate Drs. Amos and Carpenter on the honor of being named Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and professor. “It is a significant tribute to their commitment to excellence and their many contributions to the nursing profession. Dr. Amos’ dedication to innovation and academic rigor in the education of the next generation of nurse anesthetists and her leadership in promoting and advancing the specialty of nurse anesthesia is exemplary. Dr. Carpenter’s commitment to advancing the delivery of high-quality palliative care continues to enhance patient and family caregiver outcomes and is an important element in improving the availability of palliative care for individuals in nursing homes and those with dementia. We also congratulate our six distinguished alumni for this recognition of their leadership and many contributions to nursing research, education, and practice.” The newest fellows represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Their extensive expertise will enrich the thought leadership of the more than 3,200 FAANs who together advance the academy’s mission of improving health and achieving health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.