The Duke University School of Nursing community and friends learned more about the vision for the School’s future during the State of the School address on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. The event marked the first formal address of Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, RN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, AAHIVS, FAAN, dean, School of Nursing, and vice chancellor of nursing affairs, Duke University, since he joined Duke on July 1.  

Approximately 300 people attended the virtual event to hear Dean Ramos summarize the School’s accomplishments over the last year, provide an overview of the current state of health and public health care systems across the United States, and give an insight into the school’s future and the potential impact of future initiatives.  

Ramos highlighted the School’s accomplishments in regard to academic programs and clinical training; research; partnerships and service; diversity, equity and inclusion; faculty, student and staff advancement; administration; communications and marketing; and development and alumni engagement. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the School, but despite the impact on the school, I think it's really important to acknowledge that [we were] able to accomplish many, many successes," Ramos said. “It's more important than ever for us to see our work as being meaningful and purposeful and ultimately to make some tangible investments in the School.” 

While thinking of the School’s future, Ramos detailed significant changes in health care more broadly, what’s causing those changes and how those changes are impacting nursing, and in turn, the Duke School of Nursing. He addressed topics including COVID-19, structural racism, migration, climate change, inequitable system access and technological advances.  

“Nursing, and health care more broadly, [are] at a critical juncture,” Ramos said. “It's time for nursing to fully embrace the importance of our role in addressing social determinants of health. We have done a lot already. I think it's time for us to do even more.”  

Ramos detailed eight areas in which he envisions opportunities forming for the School that would improve internal support systems and response to the changing health care landscape:  

• Invest in people and environment 
• Innovate, evaluate and lead nursing education  
• Advance and redefine nursing science 
• Develop, evaluate and disseminate nurse-driven models of health care 
• Expand, align and evaluate local and global partnership 
• Increase diversity, equity and inclusion within the school and broader profession 
• Strengthen nurse leadership and impact 
• Diversify and strengthen revenue streams

During his acknowledgements, Ramos thanked leaders at Duke, the Duke Health, the American Nursing Association, and the students, faculty and staff at the school. He offered special thanks to A. Eugene Washington, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., chancellor for health affairs, Duke University, and president and CEO, Duke University Health System; Vincent Price, president, Duke University; and Marion E. Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN, Ruby Wilson Professor of Nursing, for her contributions and leadership during her tenure as dean. Ramos also underscored his plan to connect with students, faculty, staff and alumni for follow-up conversations about his vision for the School and the collective work ahead. 

"It’s a critical time to reflect on our future and what might be possible,” Ramos said. 

Note: This article was updated on March 8, 2022 to add the eighth topic among the key areas outlined in the school goals.