USF College of Nursing Welcomes Ukamaka Oruche

Ukamaka Oruche, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, has joined the College of Nursing as the Gordon Keller Professor, reporting to Dr. Stephanie Marhefka, Senior Associate Dean of Research. Her primary responsibilities involve conducting funded research as a principal investigator within a transdisciplinary team, and mentoring faculty researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students. Her work will include collaborations with faculty and partners in diverse practice settings and throughout USF Health to stimulate and cultivate research capacity in the college.

Oruche, a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, member of the Edge Runners National Advisory Council, and President of the International Society of Pediatric Mental health Nurses, comes to us from the Indiana University School of Nursing where she built a program of research and advocacy focused on advancement of mental health equity across the globe. With a grant funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, her current work involves developing a dyadic parent/caregiver and health care provider intervention to support adolescents with disruptive impulse control and conduct disorders, which she plans to test in a future clinical trial. Oruche’s outstanding contributions to global mental health have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the COVID-19 Courage Award from the American Academy of Nursing, and designation as a U.S. News and World Report Hospital and Healthcare Hero.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Oruche is the founder of Village Community Health Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing healthcare and nutrition to populations in southern Nigeria.

Please join us in welcoming Oruche to the USF College of Nursing! She can be reached at orucheu@usf.edu.