Nena Sanders, PhD

Dr. Nena Sanders, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, is a transformational leader in healthcare delivery and nursing education. She is the first female Vice Provost of Samford University College of Health Sciences and the Ralph W. Beeson Dean and Professor of the Ida Moffett School of Nursing.

Dr. Sanders has served on numerous nursing editorial boards, is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives’ Committee on Research, a grant reviewer for the National Center for Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, and a representative to the Conference on Research Priorities for the National Institute of Nursing Research. She has received federal grants to establish nursing education programs, is a speaker and author related to nursing administration and health care delivery, and has consulted nationally regarding the redesign of healthcare organizations and models of patient care delivery.

Dr. Sanders earned her Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and Omicron Delta Kappa. She is an inductee in the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame and was recognized by the UAB School of Nursing as one of 60 Visionary Leaders during their 60th Anniversary. In 2016, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She serves as chairperson of the St. Vincent’s/Ascension Health System Board and is active in philanthropic and professional organizations.