Written by: Justin Hargrave

A smiling woman in a tan blazer stands with arms crossed against a light background. To the right, bold blue and yellow text reads: “Advancing Health Equity Through Wound Care Innovation.” Below is the University of Alabama in Huntsville logo and “College of Nursing.”

“Wound care requires not only clinical precision but also grit, empathy, and vulnerability.”

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Nursing is proud to recognize Dr. Amaka J. Akinade, DNP, MN, FNP-C, CWON-AP, as the recipient of the Outstanding DNP Project Award and a nominee for the national Excellence in Advancing Nursing Practice Award presented by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Her project, "Implementation of a Nurse-Led Service to Improve Venous Ulcer Healing Time and Access," exemplifies leadership, scholarly rigor, and a commitment to health equity. 

Dr. Akinade’s work addresses a critical gap in care for patients living with chronic wounds and ostomies, particularly those in underserved communities. Her doctoral project introduced a sustainable, nurse-led service model that improved both healing times and access to care for individuals with venous ulcers. The initiative’s interdisciplinary nature and focus on timely, evidence-based intervention demonstrated measurable improvements in patient outcomes. “Wound care requires not only clinical precision but also grit, empathy, and vulnerability,” Akinade shares. These values were central to her project and remain guiding principles in her day-to-day practice. Leveraging advanced techniques such as telehealth outreach and debridement strategies, she has championed patient-centered solutions that extend beyond the clinical setting to address broader systemic barriers. 

Akinade’s leadership reaches beyond the bedside. She is deeply committed to mentoring fellow nurses and expanding the profession’s capacity through education and advocacy. Her work pushes the boundaries of traditional practice by promoting culturally responsive care, advocating for policy changes, and harnessing technology to bring expert wound and ostomy care to patients regardless of their zip code. “As I advance my career, I remain deeply motivated to effect systemic change,” she states. Her vision is clear: a healthcare system where all patients have access to healing, dignity, and expert care, no matter their circumstances.