BREAKING NEWS — Bonilyn Swenor, PhD, MPH, BSc, professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and founder and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Disability Health Research, has been appointed the inaugural Endowed Professor of Disability Health and Justice.
“Dr. Bonilyn Swenor is an incredible researcher, scientist, and educator who works tirelessly to ensure people with disabilities can thrive,” said JHSON Dean Sarah Zantone, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her appointment to the endowed professorship formally recognizes the impact her career has made and our confidence in her future.”
“Dr. Swenor and the Center are committed to preparing the next generation of disability equity researchers, including researchers with disabilities,” said Dr. Jermaine Monk, MSW, MS Mgmt, MA Th, MA, associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. “Incorporating this into nursing education is critical as we prepare the next generation of nurses.”
The chair was established through gifts from Charlotte B. Lockner, a 1955 School of Nursing alumna, Ralph S. O’Connor, a university trustee and 1951 Krieger School of Arts and Sciences alumnus, Antoinette Delruelle and Joshua L. Steiner, and the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund Authority.
Currently, more than 27 percent of American adults have a disability, yet people with disabilities still face many barriers to health, equity, and inclusion.
With this in mind, the Disability Health and Justice Endowed Professorship was established to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative, evidence-based strategies to advance workforce participation of people with disabilities.
Dr. Swenor founded and serves as director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Disability Health Research, which brings together experts from various disciplines who collaborate and test data-driven approaches to reducing disability inequities. The center officially moved to the School of Nursing in 2022 when Dr. Swenor joined the faculty. The professorship will provide funding for Dr. Swenor and the center to inform policy and develop new tools to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies into new disability health tools.
“I am honored to become the Endowed Professor of Disability Health and Justice,” said Dr. Swenor. “We strive to shift the paradigm of ‘living with disability’ to ‘thriving with disability,’ maximizing the health, equity, and participation of people with disabilities.”
Through this endowed chair, Dr. Swenor and the Johns Hopkins Center for Disability Health Research will have a profound impact on our ability to increase outreach and awareness in the disability community.
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The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore is a globally recognized leader in nursing education, research and practice. US News & World Report ranks the school #1 in the nation for its DNP program and #2 for its master’s program. Additionally, JHSON is ranked #3 in the world for nursing by QS World University. The school is a five-time recipient of the INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award and a four-time recipient of the Best School for Men in Nursing award. For more information, visit www.nursing.jhu.edu.