J Taylor Harden

J Taylor Harden, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN

Recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. J Taylor Harden is an expert on aging, and holds the position of Chief of the Office of Special Populations and the Assistant to the Director, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health, DHHS. In this capacity, Dr. Harden has responsibility for activities supporting women, minority populations and disabled individuals including providing the Director of NIA, and senior staff members with advice and guidance on enhancing the participation of special populations in health research initiatives and providing guidance on NIA goals for research and training programs for special populations. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from The University of Maryland at Baltimore. Dr. Harden was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in psychiatric-mental health nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. She has a wide history of work experience including being a nurse in surgical intensive care unit and orthopedics, U.S. Air Force flight nurse, instructor, lecturer, professor, health scientist administrator, and graduate faculty. Her experience in major administrative and policy domains was broadened substantially by her appointment as the Acting Deputy Director, NIA, from January 1, 2008, through October 10, 2008.