News

Ana Loera, RN, primary care nursing supervisor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing’s Children’s Wellness Center (CWC), received the SON Star Award for Texas Nursing staff in December 2025.

A devoted friend and generous supporter of the School of Nursing, philanthropist and businesswoman Luci Baines Johnson has long been a dedicated advocate for nursing, health care and the well-being of older adults. Her commitment to advancing the nursing profession, particularly in gerontological nursing, has earned her widespread respect and, most recently, recognition as an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in 2025.

For Christy and David Dauphin, giving back to the School of Nursing is more than a personal mission—it’s a way to help shape the future of nursing. Through the Christy and David Dauphin Graduate Fellowship in Nursing, the couple supports graduate students who are focused on pediatrics, have financial need and are graduates of a Texas high school.

For Sharon (Leyland) Ahrari, MSN ’93, RN, the dream of becoming a nurse began as a child in her grandparents’ home in San Antonio. “I borrowed my grandmother’s long white half-slip, a white blouse from Catholic school and a large white dinner napkin folded into a triangle on which, I drew a cross with a red crayon, pinned the napkin into my hair with bobby pins, and thus began my nursing career.”