Patricia M. Davidson, PhD, RN, FAAN currently serves as Vice Chancellor’s Fellow and interim Co-Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (UNSW Sydney), is internationally recognized as a leader in nursing, health and medical science. Previously, she was Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Wollongong and Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. A registered nurse since 1980, Dr. Davidson has clinical, academic, and practice expertise in cardiovascular science, with a focus on the care of women and vulnerable populations. Her work elevates innovative models of person-centered care delivery and the improvement of the lives of individuals with chronic and complex conditions. She is particularly interested in how social determinants of health influence health outcomes. A seasoned mentor and adviser, in 2016 she was the first nurse to receive the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers, the most prestigious research mentorship award in the country. In 2021, she received the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leader Award, celebrating her exceptional contributions to the advancement of global health worldwide. As a prolific researcher and writer, Dr. Davidson has co-authored over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles and 29 book chapters.

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A global leader in nursing, health care, and advocacy, Dr. Davidson’s career spans over four decades and includes prestigious positions on the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery, International Council on Women’s Health Issues, Sigma Theta Tau’s International Institute for Global Healthcare Leadership Advisory Board, the Consortium of Universities for Global Health, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Board on Health Care Services. Dr. Davidson’s commitment to evidence-based, person-centered care spans the domains of policy, practice, education, and research, underscoring her multifaceted achievements and dedication to health, human rights and equity. Her values-driven approach has also advanced equity and inclusion in workforce development and interdisciplinary practice.

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A key highlight of her career is her work to develop innovative and acceptable models of interventions targeting at-risk populations. She has received funding as a principal investigator of many research projects, including those from the National Institutes of Health in the US, the National Health & Medical Research Council, and the Australian Research Council. Her achievements have been recognized through several honorific awards including Fellowship of the American Academy of Nursing, the Australian College of Nursing, Royal College of Nursing, Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and the American Heart Association. She has also received honorary doctorates from Kings College, London; Mahidol University, Thailand; and the University of Technology, Sydney. Dr. Davidson earned her BA and MEd from the University of Wollongong and a PhD from the University of Newcastle.