School of Nursing Receives Endowed Professorship to Advance Nursing Studies
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing recently received a generous gift from The CHFoundation to establish The CH Foundation Endowed Professorship in Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Studies. This gift will be combined with funds previously raised from various School of Nursing donors to create this permanent endowment.
The professorship will be held by Emily Merrill, Ph.D., R.N., FNP, professor and department chair for nurse practitioner and nurse midwifery studies. In this role, Merrill will provide much-needed leadership for the enhancement of advanced practice registered nursing education and practice on the South Plains and the rest of the state.
“Dr. Merrill is an excellent choice for this esteemed endowed chair,” said School of Nursing Dean Michael L. Evans, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN. “She has done an outstanding job in her years leading our school’s nurse practitioner and nurse midwifery programs, and with this support, I am confident she will continue to help our students and faculty flourish in these emergent areas of health care.”
Merrill’s areas of expertise include graduate education for nurse practitioners, role development for advanced practice registered nurses, advisement of graduate students seeking advanced nursing education and nurse practitioner faculty development in academia. She also has clinical experience as a family nurse practitioner in primary care.
A growing body of evidence suggests a strong, high-quality primary care system is directly related to good health outcomes. Advanced practice registered nurses are registered nurses with master or doctoral degrees prepared to deliver high-quality, cost-effective primary and acute health care for adults and children in today’s overloaded health care system.
Currently 81 percent of all School of Nursing graduate students choose nurse practitioner
or nurse midwifery tracks. From 1992 to 2011, 602 students graduated from the school’s
advanced practice registered nursing programs. The majority of graduates remain in
Texas, and a significant number continue to provide health care for Lubbock area residents.
For more breaking news and experts, follow @ttuhscnews on Twitter.
Related Stories
38th Student Research Week Successful at Showcasing Secrets of Immune Defense
Student researchers at TTUHSC had the opportunity to showcase their presentation skills at the 38th Annual Student Research Week Feb. 25 – 27.
Celebrating Veterans: TTUHSC’s General Martin Clay’s Legacy of Service and Leadership
From his initial enlistment in the Army National Guard 36 years ago to his leadership in military and civilian health care management roles, Major General Martin Clay’s career has been shaped by adaptability, mission focus and service to others.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Named Best Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in Texas
The TTUHSC School of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has been ranked the No. 1 accelerated nursing program in Texas by RegisteredNursing.org.
Recent Stories
TAMEST Executive Director Visits Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to Strengthen Research Collaboration
TTUHSC welcomed Terrence Henry, executive director of the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST), for a campus visit aimed at strengthening partnerships and expanding research engagement opportunities across Texas.
Schroeder Named Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin School of Medicine Regional Dean
Brian D. Schroeder, M.D., has been named the TTUHSC School of Medicine regional dean in the Permian Basin, effective May 1. Schroeder has served as the interim Jan & Ted Roden Endowed Chair and regional dean since May 2025.
Opening doors: Collaboration brings care closer to home in Burton
Washington County embarked upon new frontiers in health care access with an open house in Burton, Texas. Texas A&M University Health Science Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center joined with community members to celebrate the newest Texas A&M BUILD clinic.