Christopher Blackwell, an associate professor at the UCF College of Nursing, has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP).
Blackwell, who is one of 88 nurse practitioner leaders selected for induction in 2016, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to health care research and education. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties. The 2016 inductees were honored at the national conference on June 23.
A national expert on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health, Blackwell has devoted most of his career to improving outcomes in high-risk and vulnerable populations. His scholarly work, which has been shared in 26 peer-reviewed articles and 26 conferences, provides critical knowledge and skills for nurse practitioners to put into practice. Blackwell’s research addresses inequity in the workplace of GLBT nurses, mental health and substance abuse issues in GLBT individuals, online sexual decision-making by at-risk gay and bisexual men, HIV screening and prevention, including use of innovative methods, and increasing knowledge of vaccine needs of gay/bisexual men in providers and GLBT communities.
Committed to nursing education, Blackwell is one of the first nurse practitioner educators in the U.S. to earn the certified nurse educator (CNE) credential. Blackwell has been honored with numerous awards during his career, including Outstanding New Nurse Researcher award from the Florida Nurses’ Association and March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award in public health. He is an editorial reviewer for 12 academic journals, is the only APN on the educational committee for the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, and served on the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Content Expert Panel for Adult Nurse Practitioners for seven years, including three years as vice chair.
An associate professor at the college since 2004, Blackwell was recently appointed coordinator of the new Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner graduate program. Blackwell began his clinical career as an emergency/trauma nurse and later practiced as a nurse practitioner in infectious disease. He is board certified as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner. A “Knight” nurse, Blackwell earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing with honors, master’s degree in nursing and PhD in public affairs focusing on health – all from UCF. He also holds a post-graduate certificate as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of Florida.