When Dr. Audrey P. Miller reflects on her journey to becoming Dean of the School of Nursing at Barry University, she credits the example set by her late mother, Nurista R. Vernon who was a dedicated nurse in the United Kingdom and whose discipline and compassion shaped her daughter’s life.

Dr. Miller was born in London and moved to Jamaica as a child before settling in Miami at age eight. Watching her mother balance work as a midwife and operating room nurse instilled in her a deep respect for structure, service, and excellence. She first pursued business at Florida International University but paused her studies and life events, including marriage and motherhood, led her in a new direction.

After nearly a decade focused on family, Miller returned to FIU’s nursing program, earning her degree in 1995. She later went on to complete her Master’s in Nursing Education at Nova Southeastern University and became a Barry alumna upon earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from the university. Following her doctoral studies, she achieved board certification as a pediatric nurse practitioner. One of her proudest moments was supporting a young patient through a long battle with Crohn’s disease.

In 2025, Dr. Miller was named Dean of the School of Nursing at Barry University. Today, she leads with a vision of inclusion, workforce development, and compassionate leadership with determination to prepare the next generation of nurses to serve South Florida and beyond.

For Dr. Miller, it has always been about one thing: How do I serve, and how do I give back?

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