Celebrating Excellence in Nursing: Dr. Ross – A Champion for Health and Humanity
Dr. Ratchneewan Ross standing in School of Nursing research and lecture classroom
At the University of Louisville School of Nursing, we are thrilled to celebrate one of our own—Dr. Ross, the 2025 recipient of the Health Promoting Behaviors Across the Lifespan (HPBAL) Senior Career Award. Dr. Ross's journey is not just a remarkable tale of achievement but a true testament to what it means to be a compassionate and innovative nurse.
“It has been a lot of work, but my success has been based on collaboration and the help from a lot of colleagues, students, and junior faculty, and so, it's not all about me. It's like a celebration, and the celebration of this award is for all of us who are involved with all the projects.
With over 30 years of passionate dedication to nursing, Dr. Ross has made a profound impact on health promotion, particularly for those vulnerable populations that often go unheard. Her story began with a heartfelt commitment to improving mental health care for diverse communities, and since then, she has traveled the globe—from Africa to Asia to Latin America—bringing hope and healing to countless lives.
Dr. Ross chose a career in nursing much like many of us have experienced–at the insistence of parents. “When I was in high school, I was very good at math, physics and things like that. Then I said to my parents, I wanted to become an engineer and that was a little bit over 40 years ago. And my parents said, ‘Engineer? What are you going to be an engineer for? You're a woman. You should become a nurse.’ They told me that because I love people, I love to help people, I should be a nurse. Now I thank them they knew me better than anyone else."
What sets Dr. Ross apart is her remarkable ability to transform research into tangible tools that make a difference. One of her standout contributions, the Social Pressure for Pregnancy Scale (SPPS), is now helping healthcare providers in Mali navigate societal pressures surrounding pregnancy. This kind of innovation exemplifies the real-world impact that thoughtful research can have in the field of nursing.
Dr. Ross has also been a fierce advocate for HIV-infected pregnant women, revealing alarming rates of depression that led to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implementing routine screenings for these women. This is not just about statistics; it’s about improving individual lives and ensuring that mothers receive the care they need to thrive. Her initiatives don’t stop at U.S. borders; she’s working in Ghana to ensure that healthcare providers are equipped to screen for depression, reflecting her deep commitment to global health equity.
In the realm of sexual violence awareness and care, Dr. Ross created the SATELLITE assessment and care guide—an invaluable resource that empowers healthcare providers in their work with perinatal and OB/GYN patients. Her efforts have transformed nursing education, ensuring that future leaders in healthcare are equipped with the knowledge they need to make a real impact in their communities.
Dr. Ross's journey also includes her prestigious Fulbright Core Scholarship, which allowed her to investigate intimate partner violence in Thailand and its health implications. Her findings have not only fueled academic conversations but have moved hearts, inspiring healthcare professionals to prioritize IPV screenings in their practices.
Recently, her collaboration in Brazil has addressed the vital issue of obstetric violence in public maternity hospitals, proving her unwavering dedication to women's health challenges worldwide. Through her creation of the Systemic Assessment of Depressive Symptoms among Registered Nurses (SAD-RN) theory, Dr. Ross is changing how we understand nurse wellness, paving the way for brighter futures in nursing.
Dr. Ross exemplifies the essence of nursing—breaking barriers and showing that compassionate care can change lives. Her story encourages all of us, whether students, alumni, or community members, to pursue our passions relentlessly and advocate for those who need it most.
When asked what she’s looking forward to most, Dr. Ross says, “Seeing my students grow. Becoming nurse scientists, because I need to pass my baton. I can't do it forever and I want to make this program as strong as possible, as rigorous as possible, so that we can produce the strongest [nurses]. That they become new scientists and strong and. So that they can contribute to society, from local through international.”
As she receives the 2025 Senior Career Award, we celebrate not just Dr. Ross’s achievements but the inspiring legacy she is crafting within the field of nursing. Let her journey ignite a spark in each of us—a reminder that with passion, dedication, and heart, we can truly make a difference in our communities and around the world.
