Shannon H Ford

I have had the excellent pleasure of being in the nursing profession for over 2.5 decades. I have worked in a large number of environments from ICU to public health and as an RN, NP and now as a nurse researcher. My research interests are guided by the Nursing Science Precision Health Model (NSPH) Model applied to stages of the NIH Symptom Science Model with specific interests in Information and Data Science Infrastructure for Precision Health. My clinical and research work aims to improve care and care systems for children and adolescents. I am especially interested in analyzing the collective impact of interacting and coalescing biological, psychological, and social symptoms that have potential mechanisms through the gut-brain axis on pediatric health outcomes.

Education

BS, Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
ADN, Nursing, Wake Technical Community College
MSN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Nursing Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Post-Masters, Healthcare Informatics, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
PhD, Nursing, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Specialization in Teaching

As an educator, Dr. Ford works to bring a multifaceted approach to nursing education that supports students' connections between theory and practice. Their clinical teaching experience encompasses direct patient care, mentoring students in diverse healthcare settings, and facilitating the development of critical thinking in real-world scenarios. They have had the reported pleasure of being mentored and developing a growing capacity in course and curriculum development. They are committed to educational innovation and alignment with contemporary healthcare needs. They strive to design and continually update learning experiences that integrate current research, clinical best practices, and regulatory standards while maintaining pedagogical rigor. As a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), they demonstrate dedication by obtaining and maintaining validated competencies in curriculum design, assessment strategies, and educational leadership. They have been a UNC-Chapel Hill Carolina Healthcare Informatics Program (CHIP) Scholar, where they developed expanded healthcare technological skills. With the experience they gained, they endeavored to share this with students by developing and implementing innovative educational technologies for classroom and simulation experiences, as well as within clinical practice settings. Their work aims to enhance student engagement and learning and prepare students for technology-rich healthcare environments. Nursing and nursing education are such team-based professions. Alongside the excellent UNCW SON faculty team, they are grateful for the privilege of integrating clinical expertise, educational theory, credentialed knowledge, and technological innovation to create dynamic learning experiences to support the preparation of competent, confident nursing professionals ready to meet ever-evolving challenges inherent to healthcare.

Research Interests

Pediatric Health with a special interest in adolescence.
Gut-Brain Axis interactions that impact biological, psychological, and social well-being
Public Health/Preventative Medicine
Vulnerable Populations
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Healthcare Informatics
Data Analytics with a special interest in network analysis
Technology for healthcare education

Professional Service

Dr. Ford's academic service efforts include work as, 1) a university senator, 2) current or previous memberships in the School of Nursing Simulation Learning Committee (elected), the DNP Syllabus Committee, and the Prelicensure Testing Policy Review/Revision Committee, 3) work on multiple ad hoc committees (Clinical Site Visit ad hoc and Clinical Site Evaluation Taskforce), 4) as needed member of the Duke University Health System internal review board (IRB) for research, and 5) mentorship of students and the development of new content, courses, and innovative learning strategies to support our university mission including DNP On Campus Intensives, and five college-wide interprofessional simulations, and the development support for a university and community wide simulation.

Community Engagement

Dr. Ford's service also includes work as an advanced practice Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Their clinical practice informs their academic work and their humanity, providing real-world context for applying biopsychosocial principles and providing holistic, personalized care to clients. In primary care settings, Dr. Ford continues to witness firsthand how biological vulnerabilities interact with psychological resilience and social resources to determine health trajectories. In turn, their clients help refine scholarly perspective and ideas; it enriches their teaching and research with human examples and a nuanced understanding of patient and collective human experiences. Dr. Ford reports that their clinical practice nourishes their humanity and strengthens their resolve: Each time Dr. Ford has the opportunity to engage with patients, they report being reminded of why they chose this path and why this profession is not just a job, it is, alongside their work as a parent, their life’s work.

Honors & Awards

Article of the Year by Clinical Simulation in Nursing
Invention Disclosure for INSIGHTS, Honor
Most Journal Publications in CHHS (one of three scholars), Honor
2023 Shirley A. Smoyak Article of the Year Award, Award, Honor
1st Place Presentation at East Carolina University Research and Creative Achievement Week, Honor
FAST Bootcamp Acceptance, Award
April 2022 1st place award for Poster at North Carolina State Research Symposium
2012 Elected to Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Chapter, School of Nursing, UNC-Chapel Hill
2012 James M. Johnston Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
2013 Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
2011 James M. Johnston Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
2010 James M. Johnston Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
2009 James M. Johnston Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
1996 Nurse Scholar Merit Award, Wake Technical Community College