Duke University School of Nursing doctoral students Kevin Gao, MSN, RN-BC, and Bonnie Hunt, BSN, RN, CCRN, have been named by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) as Jonas Scholars for the program’s 2024-2026 cohort. Providing $12,000 of university-matched student support over two years, the program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders. Scholars receive an additional $6,000 if they serve in a faculty role for at least a year after graduation. 

“Jonas Scholars is focused on helping to mitigate the U.S. nursing faculty shortage by preparing future faculty leaders,” said Mary Lou Affronti, assistant dean of Duke’s DNP program. “It also aligns with our School’s mission and the goals of our selected DNP and PhD students with interest in the social determinants of health (SDOH) and the career goal of becoming future nursing faculty educators.”

Gao (PhD) and Hunt (DNP Nurse Anesthesia) join a select group of 63 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As Scholars, they will benefit from unique opportunities for mentorship and a curriculum tailored to providing students with learning experiences to successfully transition into a faculty role.

“This is important for student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) and other advanced practice registered nurse students who have little to no opportunity for employment while enrolled in rigorous curricula,” said Duke Nurse Anesthesia Program Director Virginia “Chris” Simmons.

“The scholarship provides additional support to our PhD programs by not only contributing financially to student tuition and stipends, but also connecting them to a network of scholars nationally that will provide new opportunities,” said Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, assistant dean of the Duke PhD nursing program.

Gao and Hunt join an incredibly diverse group of doctoral nursing students, with over 50% of its 2024-2026 cohort representative of Black, Latino, and other communities of color, ensuring that burgeoning nursing leaders reflect the patient population of their diverse communities. This group of 63 Scholars contain a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including underserved populations in nursing, mental health, and veterans’ health.

As a PhD student, Gao’s research focuses on the intersection of social determinants of health and their impact on chronic illness, particularly in caring for stroke patients in vulnerable populations.

“The Jonas Scholars Program will help my future work with newfound knowledge, networking, and resources to advance my research and my career goals,” said Gao, who most recently served as an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing in New York City. He plans to return to academia after earning his PhD.

Hunt’s research focuses on transportation insecurity as SDOH and its impact on surgery delays and cancellations. People experiencing transportation insecurity are more likely to have short notice surgery cancellation, negatively impacting access to care.

“I am humbled at the opportunity to be mentored by such accomplished and experienced faculty,” said Hunt. “I intend to be a steward of this scholarship by bringing social determinants of health forward in the field of anesthesia practice and education.”

For more information about the Jonas Scholars program, please visit https://www.aacnnursing.org/jonas-nursing.