News Releases

Akintade Appointed to DNPs of Color Inaugural Board of Directors

August 21, 2020

Associate dean to serve on board as an advocate for minority nurses.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program, has been appointed to the Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNPs) of Color inaugural Board of Directors.

DNPs of Color is a nonprofit nursing organization with a mission to serve DNPs of color through networking, mentorship, and advocacy to increase diversity in doctoral studies, clinical practice, and leadership. The nonprofit, which launched in May, works to create opportunities for engagement in academia, research, and clinical practice. It also advocates for educational support for DNPs of color. DNPs of Color, which began in the mid-Atlantic region, has expanded its reach nationally.

“As a faculty member and leader at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, this appointment provides me with the opportunity to continue to inspire and highlight the many efforts of promoting diversity in the student body, staff, faculty, and leadership of the University,” Akintade said. “Being a founding board member of this unique and impactful association puts me in a position to advocate for minority nurses, especially those in doctoral programs. This is an important initiative to increase diversity in the nursing workforce while reducing health disparities for patients.”

With 19 years of clinical experience (four years as a nurse and 15 years as an acute care nurse practitioner) in trauma and critical care, Akintade is aware of how serving the health care needs of diverse patients requires a diverse nursing workforce. As a DNPs of Color board member, he will support the organization’s mission, serve as an ambassador for the organization, and lend advice and expertise to the organization’s leadership. He will also help provide operational and fiscal oversight, attend and assist with development of fundraising events, solicit and evaluate prospective members, and participate in board meetings.

Serving in this role allows Akindate to advocate for minority nurses nationwide, especially those in doctoral programs. It also helps him effectively identify opportunities to mentor and support minority students at UMSON through their academic journeys and beyond. At UMSON, where diversity is a source of strength and innovation, 46% of DNP students identify as members of minority ethnic/racial groups, compared to just 36% of DNP students nationally. Overall, 49% of UMSON students identify as members of minority ethnic/racial groups, while nationally, nurses from minority backgrounds represent just 19.2% of the registered nurse workforce.

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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 2,000 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.