By Amanda E.H. Pritchard
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing alumna Brittany Rhoades, PhD, APRN, CCNS (MSN 2012), has been inducted into the 2023 class of Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute Fellows.
Epitomizing excellence as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rhoades is a staunch advocate for her patients and their families and serves as an innovator who is transforming health care by improving health for populations.
“It is a great honor to be recognized among an elite group of clinical nurse specialists,” Rhoades said. “I have always worked hard to promote learning and advanced education among nurses, identify opportunities to optimize processes within the health care system, and most importantly, gain insight and improve the patient experience for cardiovascular patients. It’s a wonderful feeling to have my work recognized on a national level.”
Crediting much of her professional success to the academic preparation she received at the UAB School of Nursing, Rhoades said she was surrounded by Clinic Nurse Specialist innovators achieving brilliance in nursing in the Birmingham community and beyond.
“Dr. Anne Williams’ leadership and ability to impart the role of the CNS role were remarkable. Peggy Blood, Director of Mechanical Support at UAB, was and continues to be a wonderful mentor to me in the field of mechanical circulatory support and LVADs,” Rhoades said. “Dr. Penni Watts introduced me to inter-professional education through clinical simulation. Other CNSs that really shaped my knowledge and leadership in cardiovascular disease and patient care included Dr. Mary Ann Degges at UAB Hospital and Paula Midyette in Cardiovascular Services at Children’s of Alabama. It was an amazing time to be a graduate student learning from incredibly strong and accomplished women.”
Passionate about patient experiences in health care, Rhoades values patient and provider transparency. She is honored to be named a CNSI Fellow and looks forward to raising awareness about the CNS role, welcoming ways to create professional connections and discovering new opportunities for patient-centered research.
Rhoades currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Specialist/Instructor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
