Paula Reid

Dr. Paula Reid, PhD, WHNP, is an Associate Professor at the School of Nursing, where she has served as a faculty for the past 18 years and is honored to guide students through foundational coursework that prepares them for success in advanced practice nursing studies. She earned her PhD in Health Studies/Health Education from Texas Woman’s University in 2005. Her professional career includes 23 years of clinical experience, which includes 21 years as a Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner prior to transitioning to academia in 2007.
Her early clinical experience as a nurse practitioner was with an Inner-City School-Based Health Clinic (High School) and Community Clinic, followed by a Health Maintenance Organization in Kansas City, MO. However, the cornerstone of Dr. Reid’s women's health nurse practitioner clinical practice was 15 years at the highly esteemed Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, Texas - one of the nation’s top multicultural hospitals known for evidence-based practice with larger populations.
She is dedicated to fostering a supportive, engaging learning environment that encourages exploration, collaboration, and professional growth for students. By emphasizing open communication and community building, she works to keep students motivated while providing guidance, feedback, and mentorship. Dr. Reid was instrumental in the development of the DNP Group Mentoring program started with the 2021 DNP Cohort.

Education

B.S. in Nursing, Columbia Union College (Washington Adventist University).

M.S. in Nursing/Maternal Infant, OB/GYN Nurse Clinician Option (WHNP Education), University of Alabama at Birmingham.

PhD in Health Studies/ Higher Education Track, Texas Woman's University at Denton.

Specialization in Teaching

Over the past 18 years at UNCW, Dr. Reid has taught multiple courses across all programs, including multiple Directed Student Learning (Independent Studies and MSN Projects) courses within the School of Nursing. Her expertise in women’s health was integral to the MSN-FNP program, where she taught for many years prior to its closure. She currently divides her teaching between the RN to BSN and DNP programs.
RN to BSN program, she teaches Population and Community Health (NSG 408), Health Policy (NSG 398), and Research in Nursing (NSG 415).
DNP program, she coordinates and teaches Health Policy and Financial Management (NSG 689) and Family-Centered Health Care Across the Lifespan (NSG 611).

Research Interests

Women's Health and Women Living with HIV – Dr. Reid’s nurse practitioner clinical practice at Parkland Hospital included the care of women and women living with HIV who comprised approximately 25% of the clinic’s 4,000–5,000 patients annually at the time. She contributed to women’s health and HIV research initiatives and is recognized as an authority in the care of women living with HIV.
Dr. Reid is a member of the International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research, part of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC), where she served as Co-Principal Investigator and co-authored multiple publications.

Mentoring - Drawing from both clinical and academic experiences, she empathizes with the challenges students face and is committed to supporting their academic and professional success.

Professional Service

UNCW -Committee Member, Graduate Council, (2024, 2025)
UNCW- Panel Member, Faculty Senate Hearings Panel, Division IV. Graduate School. (Elected 2024)
UNCW- Committee Member, Graduate School Grade Appeals Panel, Step 4. Graduate School.
UNCW - Committee Member, Reappointment Promotion Tenure (RPT). (2016-2020)
UNCW -Committee Member, Cultural Diversity Day Project: Peace Corps Diversity Initiative Program. (2018)
UNCW -Committee Member, Chancellor's Search Committee. (2014 - 2015)
UNCW- Committee Member, Chancellor's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. (2013 - 2014)
UNCW -Committee Member, Women’s Studies and Resource Center (WSRC) Advisory Board Member. (September 2008 - 2010)
UNCW -Committee Member, Health & Wellness. (November 2008 - August 2010)

CHHS -Committee Member, Research Advisory Council. (2013 - 2014)
CHHS -Committee Member, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation Search Committee. (2013 - 2014)

SON - Committee Member, 2024 DNP STUDENT ABSTRACT FACULTY REVIEW COMMITTEE. (April 5, 2024 - April 12, 2024)
SON - Chair, Search Committee, Open Rank Clinical Track Position #377. (January 10, 2022 - April 14, 2022)
SON - Project Development, Collaborator with Consultant for DNP Mentoring Program – Dr. Laura Lunsford. (October 2020 - May 2021)
SON - Committee Member, Graduate Admissions DNP Program.
SON - Committee Member, Graduate Admissions MSN-FNP Program. (2012 - 2017)
SON - Committee Member, Multiple Search Committees

Journal for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC ). Manuscript Reviewer
Journal for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC ). Editorial Review Board Member (August 2007 - 2009)

Community Engagement

Duke University Partners in Caring, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Co-Facilitator, NHRMC HIV Positive Women’s Support Group Co-Facilitator, Jacksonville, NC.

Senior Project Advisor, Outside University of North Carolina Wilmington, Laney High School) “Dying to Die with Dignity: The Euthanasia Controversy” (August 2014 – December 2014).

Doctoral Research Advisory & Committee Member, Other (Outside University of North Carolina Wilmington, Duke University) Department, NSG, 3 credit hours, "Evaluating Diabetic Outcomes and Costs within an Ambulatory Setting: A Strategic Approach Utilizing a Clinical Decision Support System.", Completed. (August 2011 - May 2013).

Senior Project Advisor, Outside University of North Carolina Wilmington, Laney High School) “HIV Education DVD: A Documentary” (August 2011 – May 2012).

Doctoral Program Mentor, Other (Outside University of North Carolina Wilmington, Duke University) Department, NSG, "Implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Identification and Treatment of Childhood Obesity", Completed. (May 2011).

Honors & Awards

Nurses Day Honoree, Initiation of DNP Mentoring Program at UNCW. North Carolina Nurses Association - Wilmington. (May 3, 2023)

Recognition as HIV Nursing Leader, Parkland Health & Hospital System HIV Department. (September 2007)

Outstanding Young Women of America. (March 1985)