Celebrating Leadership in Nursing Education and Workforce Development

At Barry, we’re proud to be guided by a team of changemakers who lead with purpose through education. We’re thrilled to share that Dr. Tony Umadhay, PhD, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, Professor of Anesthesiology at Barry’s School of Nursing, has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) as part of its 2025 class.

Selected from a record number of applicants, this prestigious recognition honors Dr. Umadhay’s transformational leadership and sustained impact on nursing education, health policy, and workforce development. A passionate advocate for access and equity, he has expanded doctoral nursing programs, created seamless academic pathways from clinical practice to leadership, and championed global service-learning initiatives that prepare nurses to lead in diverse and complex care environments.

Nationally, his work has shaped legislation and expanded opportunity. As a co-author of the policy paper that influenced Florida Senate Bill 2524 (LINE Fund), Dr. Umadhay helped drive over $55 million in new funding to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce pipeline. He has also secured over $2 million in grant support to increase representation and access for underrepresented students in the field.

As Academy President Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN shared “Induction into the Academy represents the highest honor in nursing. Earning the FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential is a prestigious recognition of one’s accomplishments and signifies the power of nursing to transform health and enact positive outcomes.”

Dr. Umadhay will be officially inducted during the American Academy of Nursing’s annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., October 16–18, 2025. Congratulations to Dr. Umadhay! His visionary work continues to inspire our students, who are future healthcare leaders, and brings national recognition to Barry’s mission of service through education.