December 18, 2012 -
Dr. Jonas Nguh, New Nursing Department Chair, Wins Prestigious Award
Dr. Jonas Nguh, Academic Chair of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing
It’s been a banner month for Dr. Jonas Nguh. In addition to joining the Kaplan University School of Nursing as the Academic Chair of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Jonas was one of six nurses in the country to be awarded the 2012 National Nursing Excellence Award given by Nurse.com.
Jonas began his position as Chair on December 3.
“I’m excited to join the School of Nursing,” said Jonas. “I want to continue building on the groundwork that has already been laid and help take the School to the next level. I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with a great team of faculty members to make a positive impact on students.”
School of Nursing Dean Sheila Burke called Dr. Nguh’s expertise and dedication a great match for Kaplan. “We are very fortunate to have Dr. Nguh join the School of Nursing,” she said. “His breadth of experience, his passionate commitment to educational excellence and advancing the nursing profession are inspiring. His sincere and enthusiastic approach to student-centered education and outstanding teaching are a terrific fit with the Kaplan model.”
Prior to coming to Kaplan, Jonas served as Director of Nursing at The University of the District of Columbia. He holds a doctorate from Walden University, a Master of Health Care Administration from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walden University. He is also a licensed Registered Nurse.
In addition to his academic activities, Jonas has been a leader in international relief work, spearheading efforts to provide medical care to those in need. His volunteerism and service work, which attracted the attention of the Nursing Excellence Awards nominators, has spanned many countries.
Following the earthquake in Haiti, he organized a group of 50 nurses to volunteer to care for victims. He has spent his summer vacations in remote areas of the United States, where he serves indigenous people who have limited access to basic care and resources. He oversees faith-based organizations’ trips to East Africa, providing food, clean drinking water and other basic health needs to people suffering from the effects of famine and civil war.
In 2009, he led an effort to collect more than 1.2 million vaccine doses for children in Kenya, South Africa and Sudan to prevent their enduring measles, mumps and rubella.
Jonas, who has witnessed the disenfranchisement experienced by minority women, has made it a point to advocate for women. In 2005, he founded Community Leadership Inc., a business that promotes international networking among women.
Eileen P. Williamson, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for the publisher of Nurse.com, called Jonas and his fellow award recipients, “the personification of professional nursing accomplishment, and worthy indeed of the recognition our excellence program affords them." This year’s pool of nominees was among the largest in program’s history, she said.
When asked what drives him, Jonas referred to others’ words of wisdom. “I love the message of Mother Teresa, who said: ‘some people feel that what they are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. No one can do great things, only small things with great love.’”
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