Highlights
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Sharon Tucker becomes the second faculty member to be named the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing, which was established in 2009.
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Endowed chair positions strengthen UCF鈥檚 preeminence by supporting outstanding faculty who conduct research, improve teaching and provide service to the community.
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Tucker, who was appointed the College of Nursing鈥檚 dean in June 2025, is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on nursing practice and patient outcomes.
UCF Pegasus Partner Orlando Health has named , dean of UCF鈥檚 College of Nursing, the Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing.
The prestigious endowed faculty position, which will support Tucker鈥檚 nursing research, teaching and scholarly activities, is just the latest example of how 女仆AV is leveraging industry partnerships to drive real-world impact.
Tucker is a distinguished scholar in both psychiatric mental health nursing and evidence-based practice who has made sustained impacts on the field, for nurses and patients alike. She is nationally board certified as an adult psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist and integrative nurse coach.
Her research, which has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented around the world, focuses on behavior change through mental health and wellness interventions and organizational change through evidence-based practice.
鈥淲ith its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.鈥� 鈥� Sharon Tucker
鈥淚 am incredibly honored to be named to this esteemed endowed position, and grateful for Orlando Health鈥檚 support of the college,鈥� says Tucker. 鈥淧artnerships are powerful and with its partnership, Orlando Health is elevating excellence in education and research to support future Knight nurses and improve the health of our communities.鈥�
In addition to the new endowed chair appointment, Tucker holds the prestigious distinctions of fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing.
Orlando Health has been a long-standing partner of UCF and the College of Nursing. The Orlando Health Endowed Chair in Nursing was established in 2009, and Tucker is the second faculty member to be named to the appointment. It was formerly held by Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, the previous dean and a renowned critical care researcher.
Kelly Edmondson, Orlando Health鈥檚 senior vice president of nursing and patience care services, says the partnership speaks to the organization鈥檚 mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve.
鈥淒r. Tucker鈥檚 research supports our efforts to empower nurses and elevate clinical excellence to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care,鈥� Edmondson says. 鈥淚t is an honor to continue to partner with UCF to strengthen the nursing workforce and create a healthier future for all.鈥�
In 2023, Orlando Health became one of UCF鈥檚 inaugural Pegasus Partners with a $5 million commitment to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion as well as provide tuition assistance and additional paid internships for UCF nursing students.
to support the College of Nursing
Philanthropic support is critical to the creation of endowed faculty positions, helping UCF attract and retain nursing experts, and support groundbreaking research that impacts the profession and the health of communities. Help launch more faculty experts to lead nursing into the future by joining UCF鈥檚 Go for Launch campaign.
