The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is proud to announce that the founding dean of its College of Nursing, Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE, FAANP, recently received three prestigious nursing honors in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession.
Weston was honored with the following awards and accolades:
American Academy of Nursing Fellow − Weston was inducted into the academy’s 2023 Class of Fellows for her substantial, sustained and outstanding impact on health and health care. With more than 3,000 fellows, the academy represents nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice and academia. The academy’s inductees are selected after a rigorous and competitive application process. (story continues below)
NURSING OPPORTUNITIES AT COMMUNITY AND NORTHWEST SURGICAL HOSPITALS
Texas Nurse Practitioners 2023 Nurse Practitioner of the Year − This award recognizes a nurse practitioner who demonstrates excellence and serves as a role model for the nurse practitioner profession. As the former TNP president, Weston has demonstrated unrelenting dedication to improving the health and well-being of all Texans through her work as a nurse practitioner, and advocacy for all nurses and the next generation of health care professionals.
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing Alumni Association 2023 Hall of Fame Award − The award goes to UTMB alumni who have made contributions to nursing through a commitment to excellence in patient care, research, published work, education, community service and leadership. Weston earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the university.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Weston’s achievements from these highly respected organizations,” said Charles Taylor, PharmD, HSC provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Her commitment and dedication to advancing the nursing profession is a testament to why we are so fortunate to have her as our founding dean of the College of Nursing.”
Dr. Weston’s commitment to nursing excellence and passion already has impacted HSC’s College of Nursing. Her achievements and awards reflect the university’s mission of creating solutions for a healthier community and dedication to providing high-quality education.
The UNT System Board of Regents approved the creation of the HSC College of Nursing in February to help address the shortage of nurses in Texas. In August, it approved the college’s first two degree offerings, a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Practice Innovation. The degrees are slated to be offered in fall 2024, when the college’s first students will start classes. Before enrolling students, the degrees also must be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
For more information about HSC’s new College of Nursing, visit www.unthsc.edu/college-of-nursing.
About HSC
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District. HSC trains the health care providers, public health workforce and scientists of the future in an interprofessional ecosystem. In HSC’s six schools, students learn to work in teams and to develop an innovative mindset that prepares them for a rapidly changing health landscape. HSC Health, the clinical enterprise of the Health Science Center, provides patient-centered care to people across Tarrant County. HSC’s research enterprise provides a foundation to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery to improve health and well-being.
