Dr. Kirsten Dickins, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC is an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center and has been nominated for the prestigious Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Awards. Nominated by Kathy Swartwout, Dr. Dickins stands out as a visionary nurse scientist, educator, and leader, known for her groundbreaking research and dedication to social justice and community engagement.
Kristen has been awarded the 2024 Illinois Nurses foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award. Designed to highlight young nurses that are making a lasting difference in the healthcare industry, this award celebrates those who shape
the future of nursing.
Innovating Trauma-Informed Care for Vulnerable Populations
Dr. Dickins is a rising star in the field of nursing, known for her innovative community-based research that focuses on trauma-informed care for justice-impacted women and those experiencing homelessness. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, she joined Rush University College of Nursing in 2022, quickly establishing herself as a leader in trauma treatment research. Her adapted trauma model aims to reduce traumatic stress and co-occurring symptoms in some of the most vulnerable populations—women in shelters and the Illinois prison system.
Her work has been recognized with numerous prestigious research grants, including awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Institute for Translational Medicine, the Charles and Margaret Roberts Fund, and the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation. These grants have allowed Dr. Dickins to expand her research, making a lasting impact on trauma care and equity in healthcare.
A Trailblazer in Nursing Research
Dr. Dickins’ research is already having a significant impact. With twelve first-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and twelve more as a co-author, she has rapidly become a nationally recognized nursing leader. Her work has earned her the prestigious honor of being named a STAT Wunderkind, which celebrates early-career researchers blazing new trails in science and medicine.
In addition to her research, Dr. Dickins is committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of nurses. She integrates her groundbreaking work into her teaching, offering graduate nurses the opportunity to learn from real-world research that addresses critical healthcare challenges.
Committed to Community Engagement and Advocacy
Dr. Dickins believes in giving back to the communities where she conducts her research. She actively engages in community service, most notably as a member of the steering committee for the City of Chicago Department of Housing’s 5-Year Housing Plan, where she brings her nursing expertise to the table to influence policy. She also organized a donation drive to collect toiletries for women in the shelters where she conducts her research, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting the communities she serves.
Her research model embraces community participatory approaches, hiring peers from shelter communities to assist in recruitment and research tasks. This inclusive approach not only empowers the participants but also strengthens the research itself by ensuring that it is grounded in the lived experiences of those most affected by trauma.
Champion for Ethical Nursing and Social Justice
At the core of Dr. Dickins’ work is a deep commitment to social justice. She ensures that respect, acceptance, kindness, and empathy are central to her research and the work of her team. She is currently completing an intensive fellowship in Clinical Medical Ethics at The University of Chicago, further solidifying her dedication to ethical nursing practice. Her leadership in ethics extends to Rush University Medical Center, where she serves on the Ethics Committee, bringing a vital nursing perspective to the institution’s ethical decision-making processes.
Kristen Dickins: A Nurse Leader Poised to Shape the Future
Dr. Kirsten Dickins exemplifies what it means to be a leader in nursing. Her research, leadership, and commitment to social justice not only advance nursing knowledge but also create real-world solutions for some of society’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Through her work, Dr. Dickins is improving the lives of justice-impacted women and women experiencing homelessness, and her contributions to nursing research and community engagement make her a truly deserving nominee for the 40 Under 40 Awards.
Congratulations to Kristen Dickins and Rush University Medical Center for this prestigious honor! The Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Award for Emerging Nurse Leaders is proven to open career doors for its recipients. INF is proud to celebrate nurses like Kristen who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
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