In May 2024, Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, Dean of the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, was named to the seventh cohort of Ambassadors by the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR).
Ambassadors are selected from a national pool of applicants based on their ability to advance awareness among the public, health professionals and policymakers about the critical research agenda advanced by the National Institute for Nursing Research. NINR supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training on health and illness that span and integrate the behavioral and biological sciences and develop the scientific basis for clinical practice. The program’s goal is to increase research funding for scientific breakthroughs and the training of future nurse-scientists.
“This appointment helps ensure that the School of Nursing remains in the forefront of discussing legislation and policy that impacts nursing research,” Dr. Porche says. “It provides me with an opportunity to interact with our federal policymakers in Washington, D.C., to ensure that our Louisiana perspective is represented in decisions regarding the funding of nursing research and support of NINR. It is an honor in that it brings national recognition to our School of Nursing and gives us a stronger national voice and ability to influence federal policy.”
In addition to serving as dean of the School of Nursing, Dr. Porche holds appointments in the School of Public Health and the School of Graduate Studies at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. He has an extensive background in health care leadership and governance, having served on the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and as chair of the Louisiana Health Works Commission. Dr. Porche is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Throughout his career, Dr. Porche has been a staunch advocate for representation, access and fair treatment. He was appointed the inaugural School of Nursing associate dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and served on the search committee for LSU Health New Orleans’ Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion. He is editor of the American Journal of Men’s Health and has contributed to numerous health initiatives, including the Governor’s COVID-19 Health Equity Taskforce.
As an FNINR Ambassador, Dr. Porche will focus on educating congressional leaders about the high-impact, cost-effective interventions and quality-of-life enhancements resulting from nursing science. This will further elevate his influence in shaping health care policies and advocating for continued research funding.
