Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing have selected Lori Rhodes, a PhD student at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing, for the Jonas Scholar program 2024-2026 cohort.

This 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.

Rhodes, a registered nurse who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, joins 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 a Jonas Scholar, Rhodes will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.

“Ms. Lori Rhodes is not only deserving of this award, but she is also a positive representative of the UTMB community and how we aim to support and grow our students, faculty and nurse scientists,” said Dr. Patricia Carter, Rhodes’ Advisor and PhD Program Director. “Rhodes is prepared and positioned well to capitalize on this opportunity, as her career goals include becoming a faculty member who supports and mentors the next generation of nurses, specifically through policy engagement opportunities.”

Rhodes will join a strong network of Jonas Scholars from UTMB who have become successful alumni and contribute to the nursing profession and the achievements of our school in countless ways.

“I am confident that Ms. Rhodes will develop professionally through this program and achieve success in her goals to improve preventative care and becoming a nursing faculty in the future,” Carter said.

Rhodes joins a diverse group of doctoral nursing students, with over 50% of its 2024-2026 cohort representing 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.

Rhodes is actively involved in the UTMB School of Nursing Innovations Advisory Committee and currently a Nurse Clinician at the UTMB Clear Lake Hospital Campus. During her time in the UTMB School of Nursing baccalaureate program (2023 graduate) she participated in the Policy and Leadership Undergraduate Scholar (PLUS) Program, Interprofessional Scholars Program and the Peer Mentor Program.

Her research focuses on preventative care for under-resourced populations at high-risk for cardiovascular disease in the gulf coast region under Carter’s supervision.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected for the Jonas Scholars program,” Rhodes said. “I am thrilled for this opportunity to develop my leadership skills to educate and foster future nurses to promote patient care and healthier communities. The networking provided through the Jonas Scholars program will provide a foundation to collaboratively address issues facing nurses in educational and clinical settings. I am filled with gratitude to accept this privileged honor.”