By Pareasa Rahimi
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway S. Danielle Baker, DNP, RN, CNE (DNP 2018), is one of 12 recipients of the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
This annual award recognizes full-time faculty members across the university who have demonstrated excellent accomplishments in teaching, and individuals can be nominated by members of the student body, faculty or alumni.
Baker’s letters of nomination highlight her dedication to creating a motivating and supportive environment and encouraging camaraderie among students. They also praise her innovative teaching methods and commitment to staying current with theory and technology.
"I am incredibly grateful and humbled to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition means a great deal to me, particularly because it highlights the student-centered approach to teaching that I strive to embody,” Baker said. “It has been an honor to work alongside students, supporting them as they develop the skills needed to care for patients. Knowing that I may have contributed in some small way to their journey from nursing students to dedicated nurses fills me with immense gratitude."
In addition to being Co-Director of the Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway, Baker is a member of the UAB Interprofessional Curriculum team, where she develops learning experiences for students to reinforce necessary skills when working on an interprofessional team. She also is co-leading the revision of the AMNP program of study as well as the incorporation of the new American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials. Baker was recognized in 2021 with the School’s Nancy Smith Excellence in Teaching Award and was recently appointed to the Alabama Board of Nursing.
