Uzo Nwankpa
Assistant Professor DNP, MSN-PH, RNPrograms and Courses Taught
N181 Senior Synthesis
N170L Community/Public Health Nursing I Practicum (Accelerated Option)
N470 Community/Public Health Nursing I
N470L Community/Public Health Nursing I Practicum
N472 Community/Public Health Nursing II
N472L Community/Public Health Nursing II Practicum ( RN to BSN)
N570L Community/Public Health Nursing Clinical (Entry Level Masters)
About Me
Dr. Uzoamaka (Uzo) Nwankpa, DNP, MSN-PH, RN, is a community health registered nurse, ceremonialist, dancer, educator, researcher, and advocate for healing through the arts. She is the Founder and CEO of Wellness Promoters Consultancy. Her research topics include African Diasporic dance and wellbeing, indigenous healing practices to mitigate burnout among clinicians and the use of the arts as a grieving tool in healthcare. Her work focuses on the power of music and dance to enhance wellbeing and promotes health awareness through indigenous music and dance practices. As an Igbo woman and global citizen, Nwankpa is dedicated to preserving and restoring Igbo spirituality within herself and her immediate community.
Education
I've earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice, a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Public Health, and a Bachelor's in Nursing Science. I've also undertaken a graduate-level Health Impact Faculty development course tailored for clinical instruction, and I'm a fellow in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Teaching Interests
Indigenous and cultural practices in community
Transition to Practice in Nursing
Arts in Healthcare
Community/ Public Health Nursing
Mindfulness in Nursing Practice
Healing Arts in Community/Public Health Settings
Workplace Wellness
Complementary/Alternative Practice in Community/Public Health Settings
Scholarly Interests
Communal Healing among BIPOC healthcare workers
Arts in health
Expressive arts in the classroom
Complementary/Alternative practice in community settings
Mindfulness in Nursing Practice
Healing Arts in Community/Public Health Settings
Publications
Nwankpa, U., MSN, RN,, & Bevill, S., BSN, RN. (2019). Dance and the Quality of Life (1st ed., Vol. 73, Social Indicators Research Series). Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-95699-2
Nwankpa, U., Hey, J., Carvalho, C., Bandivas, J., Varelas, A., Quach, N., Nguyen, W., Conteh-Garnett, M., & Fullington, M. (2023, May). Population Health - A Nursing Senior Synthesis Transition to Practice Experience. Presented at the 2023 Spring Scholarship Symposium, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA.
Nwankpa, U. (2023, May). 3Ms to Thrive at Work-Mindfulness, Music and Movement. Presented at the National Wellness Action Alliance Webinar Series. Ohio State University.
Nwankpa, U. (2022). The Use of Mindfulness & Arts-Based Interventions to Cultivate Therapeutic Presence and Facilitate Community Engagement During COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster Presentation at the Samuel Merritt University Winter Symposium, 2022.
Nwankpa, U. (2022). African-Centered Communal Healing for Black Healthcare Workers. Presentation at the Dancing Black Together Conference, Duke University, Feb 2022 Collegium for African Diaspora International Dance Conference.
Nwankpa, U. (2022). Self-Care Through Expressive Arts: A Tool for Healthcare Professionals. Speaker at the Creating Healthy Work Environments 2022 Sigma Theta Tau International Event.
Nwankpa, U. (2022). Reflections through Creative Expression Nursing Success Seminar. Presented at SMU, Oakland, CA.
Nwankpa, U. (2022). RICHER Model: Communal Healing for African American Healthcare Workers. Presented at Duke University Collegium of African Diasporic Dance Conference (CADD).
Nwankpa, U. (2022). Podcast Guest on Healing Regalia with Dr. Paulina Van. [Episode title: "Do Africans Meditate?"]. Blackdoctor.org. Retrieved from [URL: https://youtu.be/-Y2b7zixCo4]
Nwankpa, U., Noyes, S., & Templanza, J. (2022). Samuel Merritt University 2022 Winter Poster Session - Expressive Arts in Higher Education. Retrieved from [URL: https://youtu.be/aN09NIr4yfI].
Nwankpa, U. (2022). Creating Healthy Work Environment - Presentation on Expressive Arts in Higher Education Classrooms for Wellbeing. Presented at Sigma Theta Tau. Retrieved from [URL: https://youtu.be/-HT8F2wvdhY].
Nwankpa, U. (2022). Presenter at the 2022 Samuel Merritt University HEARTS Conference - Movement Medicine.
Nwankpa, U. (2021). Communal Healing Through Expressive Arts - An Approach to Addressing Multidimensional Healing for African Americans During a Pandemic. Doctor of Nursing Practice Project.
Nwankpa, U. (2021). The Body of Emotions - Using Ancient Healing Practices to Guide Wellbeing. Presentation at the Bay Area Black Nurses Association, 2021.
Nwankpa, U. (2021). Expressive Arts as a Form of Reflection in the Classroom. Poster Presentation at the Samuel Merritt University Winter Symposium, 2021.
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Bay Area Black Nurses Association
Association of Black Psychologists
American Holistic Nurses Association
American Public Health Association
Community Service
We Rise- Advisor
Nursing Success Seminar- Reflections through creative expression
Winter Poster-Mindfulness and Arts Based Interventions
Denison University Guest lecturer-Dance and Wellbeing
HEARTS Conference-Presenter Movement Medicine
Heart Math Training
Professional Enrichment Day-Wellness Activity
Theatre for Incarcerated Women- Artist/Consultant
Honors & Awards
Beamer Award 2023
Inaugural Health Impact Award 2023