Yvette Conyers Honored with Health Care Achievement Award

Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, an assistant professor of clinical nursing and co-director of accelerated programs for non-nurses at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, was presented with a 2019 Health Care Achievement Award by the Rochester Business Journal.

Conyers was one of three individuals recognized this year in the Medical Professional category.

A faculty member at the UR School of Nursing since 2013 and a family nurse practitioner active in the community, Conyers has rapidly ascended to several key leadership positions at the School of Nursing, serving as assistant program director for the school’s undergraduate programs, including its highly competitive Accelerated Programs for Non-Nurses, and as elected president of the new Rochester chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA).

As a co-director of undergraduate programs, she helps shape academic entities that consistently attract underrepresented students in quantities far above the national average and focus their curriculum on providing culturally sensitive care for all patients, regardless of their background, income, religion, age, and sexual orientation. This dovetails with Conyers’ own research interest, which focuses on developing cultural competency in health care providers in order to ensure the equal treatment of all patients.

A well-respected educator who is an active and committed leader on issues relating to race, diversity, and inclusion, Conyers is particularly dedicated to creating and expanding access and opportunities for members of underrepresented groups. She has been instrumental from the start in launching the Rochester chapter of the NBNA, which aims to create additional opportunities for student and licensed nurses from various backgrounds to come together for a common goal: to impact the community of color and address health care disparities.

Conyers has also been an active member of the Dean’s Council for Diversity and Inclusiveness (CoDI), and has served as faculty advisor for the student organization LIFT (Leading with Integrity For Tomorrow). She was honored with the Mary Dombeck Diversity Enhancement Faculty Award in 2017 for her contributions to diversity at the School of Nursing, and was recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Colleague Award in 2014.

Professionally, she has worked as a nurse for a number of community organizations, including the Anthony Jordan Health Center and Highland Hospital. She has worked as a family nurse practitioner in adolescent health for the Hillside Family of Agencies, and the Jordan Health Center, and also provides Medicare wellness visits for Matrix Medical. She previously served as nursing director for Home Care of Rochester’s African American Initiative, where she became a certified transcultural nurse. Her leadership in this role and community work preventing hospitalizations among older adult African Americans was recognized with a Greater Rochester 40 under 40 African American Leaders award in 2011.

Outside of the University, Conyers is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Common Grounds Health and the Transcultural Nursing Society. She has also volunteered with the American Diabetes Association.