Jorge A. Valdes serves as Interim Dean at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences. As a Cuban American nurse anesthesiologist, Dr. Valdes has made significant national and regional contributions to health policy, autonomous practice, and nursing education as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) champion. Dr. Valdes’ contributions as the founding chair of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) DEI committee included the development of several social media campaigns and mandated DEI educational topics at conferences nationally through the AANA and statewide through the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. He has also helped influence health policy by collaborating with lawmakers to shape autonomous advanced practice laws in Florida. Dr. Valdes has secured over $2 million dollars in state and federally-funded grants and scholarships for nursing students focused on treating patients in medically underserved communities and promoting health equity. As Interim Dean, he has increased the first-time pass rates for all graduate programs and doubled the number of BSN students at FIU. Dr. Valdes earned his BSN from the University of Miami, his Master of Nurse Anesthesia from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, and his Doctorate from the University of Miami.