By Sarah Morgan Johnson
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Assistant Professor Deborah Bowers, DNP, CRNP, FNP-C (BSN 1985, MSN 2013, DNP 2017), has received the Alabama Leader Summit Community Impact Award. This award goes to an individual that has impacted their community and made a difference in the lives of stakeholders.
Bowers was nominated for her work at The Foundry Ministries’ Changed Lives Mobile Clinic, where she maintains a faculty practice with UABSON Assistant Professor Emily Patton, DNP, CRNP, FNP-C (MSN 2013, DNP 2020). She said she is honored to receive the award and feels it represents the team effort behind the Changed Lives Mobile Clinic.
“The Foundry is made up of an amazing team. We have great synergy with the counselors, case managers and program directors, so this is truly an award honoring the progress we’ve made as a team. This award is truly for all of us, and I especially could not do this without Dr. Patton. The Foundry does a great job of putting the right people on the right seat on the bus,” Bowers said.
Over the course of her career, Bowers has practiced nursing in the United States, Venezuela, China, South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda among communities where access to health care is limited. Her experience includes training nursing students, nurses, physicians and other members of the health care team. Her passion for providing care for underserved populations is what first drew her to The Foundry.
In 2018, The Foundry reached out to establish a partnership with the School. In January 2025, the partnership between the School and The Foundry will expand to include The Foundry Ministries Women's Center. Bowers explained that this collaboration has been mutually beneficial, giving program participants access to excellent care and giving UABSON students the opportunity to learn valuable skills that cannot always be taught in a classroom setting.
The School’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, Family Nurse Practitioner students, Doctor of Nursing Practice students and Albert Schweitzer Fellows have all had the opportunity to work together and provide different forms of care for patients as they fulfill their research and clinical requirements at the Changed Lives Mobile Clinic. Bowers explained that recent collaboration with different health care professionals has allowed these students to implement more services, including oral and dental telehealth screenings and behavioral health programs.
“The students who work with us are so inspiring. The whole goal is for them to find something they’re passionate about that can meet a significant need. If I can set them up for success and then let them take the reins and run with it, they will learn things they never would have otherwise. They’re learning how to lead and think analytically,” Bowers said.
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Clinical and Community Programs Christian Ketel DNP, RN, FNAP, attended the Alabama Leader Summit Community Impact event during his first week at the School. He was impressed by Bowers’ community impact through collaboration with The Foundry.
“I couldn't think of a better opportunity in my first week of being here in this role than to celebrate it with faculty that are doing such incredible work with a community partner. This event had business leaders and community partners from all over. I can’t tell you how many people from all different sectors of industry brought up Dr. Bowers as an exemplar of community participation and impact,” Ketel said.
