FAU Nursing Dean Cameron Duncan, Ph.D., Named Fellow of the AAN

(Photo by Alex Dolce)

Cameron G. Duncan, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of Florida Atlantic University 's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), one of the nursing profession's highest honors recognizing leaders whose work has significantly advanced healthcare, nursing practice, research, education and policy.

His induction into the AAN places Duncan among an elite group of nursing leaders. The distinguished cohort of the 2026 Class of Fellows, recently announced by the AAN, represents nurse leaders from 39 states, the District of Columbia and 17 countries who have made substantial contributions to improving health outcomes and are positioned to continue transforming healthcare for years to come.

The academy will formally welcome the 2026 Fellows during its induction ceremony and soiree on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C., a celebration widely regarded as one of the profession's highest distinctions.

"It is a great honor to be named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing," said Duncan. "To be recognized by an organization whose members have helped shape the future of nursing and healthcare worldwide is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I am proud to join this remarkable cohort of nurse leaders and look forward to contributing to the Academy's mission of advancing health policy, promoting nursing leadership and addressing the complex health challenges facing our communities. This recognition also reflects the dedication of my colleagues, mentors, students and patients who have inspired and supported my journey, and I am honored to represent Florida Atlantic University and the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing among the Academy's newest Fellows."

Duncan was appointed the fourth dean in the 45-year history of FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and assumed leadership of the college in January 2025. He brings extensive experience as an academic leader, clinician, educator and scholar whose work has focused on advancing nursing education, mental healthcare and health policy. Prior to joining FAU, he served as interim dean of the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he also directed the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.

During his tenure at the University of Nevada, Duncan led transformative initiatives that strengthened academic programs, enhanced teaching and research excellence, and expanded community engagement through innovative academic-practice partnerships.

A nationally recognized nursing educator, Duncan has earned distinction for implementing innovative programs that improve educational quality and student success.

His scholarship has focused on translational research that bridges evidence-based findings with practical clinical applications. Duncan's research interests include integrating mental health services into primary care settings, advancing healthcare policy, supporting the nursing profession and addressing substance use disorders. His recent work has explored transcranial magnetic stimulation as a potential treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. He has also built an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals and is widely recognized for mentoring students through collaborative research and scholarship.

A first-generation college graduate, Duncan earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2022. He also earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a post-master's certificate as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the University of Arizona, and completed a MSN as a family nurse practitioner. Before that, he earned a Master of Science in Nursing in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is dually board certified as both a family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, as well as a certified nurse educator.

Duncan's selection as a Fellow of the AAN adds to a growing list of national honors recognizing his leadership and contributions to the profession. He previously served as an Advancing Academic Excellence for Deans Fellow with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2023.

The American Academy of Nursing serves the public by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Fellowship in the academy is reserved for nursing leaders whose careers have demonstrated extraordinary contributions to improving health locally, nationally and globally. With more than 3,400 Fellows, the academy represents nursing's most accomplished leaders in research, policy, administration, clinical practice and academia.

-FAU-