Purpose

Support fellowships in support of Ph.D. student research/scholarly work. Students will be selected as determined by the Dean and preference shall be given to students who have been admitted to candidacy status.

History

Established in 2013, by UF College of Nursing alumna Dr. Joyce Stechmiller and her husband, Dr. Bruce Stechmiller, to support Ph.D. students. Dr. Joyce Stechmiller obtained her Ph.D. degree from UF in 1990. As of the time this fund was founded, Dr. Stechmiller has been on the faculty of the College since 1979 and has served as chair of the Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing. She is currently the undergraduate program director. As a faculty member, she mentored Ph.D. students through chairing and participating on doctoral committees.

A nationally recognized researcher in nutrition, inflammation and interventions for wound healing, Dr. Joyce Stechmiller has been supported by grants and contracts valued in excess of $3.5 million that has resulted in more than 130 peer-reviewed articles and presentations. She is an internationally recognized expert on wounds and wound healing and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and the Wound Healing Society. Dr. Joyce Stechmiller is nationally certified as an acute care nurse practitioner.

In reference to funding this fellowship, Dr. Stechmiller shared: “My husband and I were thrilled to fund an area that has been of particular significance to me and my career–the support and development of nursing Ph.D. students. As a UF Ph.D. graduate, I understand how important it is for the profession to have more nurses prepared at the doctoral level who will be outstanding leaders in research, education and practice.”