Celebrating Excellence: School of Nursing Faculty Recognized with Prestigious Honors

The UNC Charlotte School of Nursing is proud to celebrate three outstanding faculty members who have recently received prestigious state and national honors. Their dedication to research, leadership, and clinical excellence continues to elevate nursing education and healthcare outcomes.

Dr. Jyotsana Parajuli, PhD, MGS, RN has been selected as a recipient of the ASCENT Consortium’s inaugural 2026 Investigator in Residence (AIR) Fellowship. Chosen through a highly competitive, NIH-funded selection process, Dr. Parajuli will participate in a prestigious one-year career development program focused on advancing palliative care research. This achievement highlights her promise as an early-stage investigator and offers valuable mentorship, networking opportunities, and collaborative research experiences.

Dr. Katherine Shue-McGuffin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHSE has been accepted as a 2026 Interprofessional Global Summer Research Institute (SRI) Fellow. Selected through a competitive review process, Dr. Shue-McGuffin will undergo advanced training and mentorship in interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) research. The program equips fellows to develop, fund, conduct, and disseminate high-quality research that shapes the future of interprofessional practice.

Dr. Charlene Whitaker-Brown, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CHFN has been named to the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Class of 2026. As one of the state’s highest recognitions in nursing, this award honors nurses who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, clinical excellence, professionalism, and a sustained commitment to improving community health across North Carolina. This selection underscores Dr. Whitaker-Brown’s impactful contributions to nursing education, mentorship, scholarship, and service.

Please join us in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of Drs. Parajuli, Shue-McGuffin, and Whitaker-Brown!