Dr. Tamara Bland Recognized with 2022 Nurse Influencer Award

Dr. Tamara Bland, interim dean of Borra College of Health Sciences and associate professor of nursing, is the recipient of the 2022 Nurse Influencer Award from the American Nurses Association of Illinois.

Bland was presented with the award during ANA-Illinois’ Professional Issues Conference on Nov. 5.

The Nurse Influencer Award recognizes an exemplary nurse who has influenced the practice of nursing through education, advocacy, policy or practice.

Bland was selected for the award based on her dedication to increasing diversity within nursing higher education and for “building diverse communities that work to erase barriers to equity and inclusion,” according to ANA-Illinois.

"Dr. Bland is a fantastic leader who uses her influence as a nurse to change higher education and decrease health disparities," said Susan Y Swart, executive director of ANA-Illinois.

Bland was nominated for the award by Maureen Emlund, director of Dominican's Clinical Simulation Education Center; Denise King, acting executive director of Dominican's Elizabeth T. MacNeil School of Nursing; and Michelle Allen, adjunct instructor.

"Her passion is teaching and she makes sure she is always available to her students, as she often volunteers to help both students and faculty with achieving their goals," wrote Emlund in her nomination. "She is a change agent and works hard to advocate for the community to help make a positive difference in this world."

This year, Bland also authored the application that won Dominican University the 2022 Lectureship Award for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability in Nursing Education from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

The AACN noted the creation of courses aimed at culturally competent patient care and challenging students to think critically about healthcare within a global environment, among other achievements.

Bland joined Dominican University in 2018 as an assistant professor of nursing. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Concordia University in River Forest, a Master of Nursing Education Degree from Resurrection University in Chicago, and a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of St. Francis.