UNITAS: OFFICE OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) values inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our mission.
As an Augustinian Catholic university, we at Villanova believe that diversity of all kinds is at the heart of teaching and learning experiences. Whether student, staff or faculty members, we know that to grow is to broaden perspectives and develop new insights on the world.
Our mission at Villanova and FCN is to nurture a diverse community of scholars and to support a curriculum that encourages a global perspective and informed respect for the differences among peoples and cultures.
Aspirations and select initiatives of FCN's UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence:
- Build and sustain an infrastructure that supports Inclusive Excellence where all feel a genuine sense of belonging and a fulfilling growth experience.
- Empower all members of the FCN community to be change agents by promoting equity, social justice, advocacy, and health and well-being for all.
- Support the recruitment and retention of exceptional, collaborative and innovative faculty, staff and students.
- Support the well-being and professional development of faculty, staff and students.
- Assist in developing and leveraging community partnerships to expand services and opportunities for FCN faculty, staff and students.
FCN's UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence advances the University’s goal to nurture an inclusive environment, where all faculty, staff and students are respected, accepted and valued. UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence is connected to the University’s overarching initiatives through Villanova’s UNITAS: Office of Community Enrichment.
UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence is the locus of the College's Healthy Work Environment Initiative (HWEI). The HWEI is dedicated to establishing and maintaining an environment that promotes general health by supporting the adoption of attitudes that contribute to positive well-being and providing information, activities and services designed to support healthy dialogue and communication at FCN.
The mission of the HWEI is to enhance organizational health by fostering interest and encouraging employees to initiate or expand positive lifestyles, provide diverse activities and programs to meet a wide range of personal wellness needs, and develop a positive culture that is focused on celebrating and improving the quality of life for all employees. A variety of ideas and perspectives around issues are welcomed and appreciated. Current areas of focus are: Inclusive Communication, Team building, Connection, Relationships and Work-Life Balance.
Social Justice and Health Equity in Professional Nursing is a required foundational course offered to all nursing students within their first year. The course reflects current issues and trends of social justice and health inequities in the nursing profession and healthcare system. Students are given experiential educational tools to engage in sustained and meaningful discussion about issues of power and privilege through self-reflection and inclusive communication.
UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence creates, supports, hosts or co-sponsors numerous events with on- and off-campus partners in support of the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing's (FCN) mission. Audiences may include faculty, staff, students and the wider community.
Examples include:
- FCN professional development workshops
- Book discussions, film screenings and lectures focused on stories of nurses, advocacy and advancing care across patient populations.
- Villanova Nurses of Color Alumni Networking Brunch (annual event) with FCN's Multicultural Student Nurses' Organization (MSNO).
- Black History Month celebration of The Power of Black Nurses Voices (annual series) in collaboration with FCN, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Black Nurses Association (SEPABNA) and MSNO.
About the Associate Dean for UNITAS: Inclusive Excellence
The Office of UNITAS: Inclusive Excellence is led by its Associate Dean for UNITAS: Inclusive Excellence who reports to the Dean of the College and is part of the College's leadership team.
Patricia K. Bradley, PhD, RN, FADLN, FAAN is Associate Dean for UNITAS: Inclusive Excellence and Associate Professor, and is the inaugural leader of the College's Office of UNITAS: Inclusive Excellence. A long time member of the Nursing faculty, Dr. Bradley is a leading expert in psychiatric mental health nursing, psychosocial oncology, and cultural competence in health and illness. Her work focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; fostering cultural humility in students and health care providers; and eliminating health inequities.
Dr. Bradley has been the recipient of numerous awards acknowledging her work from the local and national American Cancer Society, Linda Creed Breast Cancer Organization’s Ominsky Humanitarian Award, Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Inaugural Founders Award, Sigma Theta Tau Mentorship Award, induction as an honorary member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In 2023, she was recognized by her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, when she received the Inaugural Penn Nursing Social Justice and Health Equity Alumni Award. A lifetime member of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Dr. Bradley was inducted in 2024 as an Inaugural Luminary Fellow in NBNA’s Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing.
At Villanova, Dr. Bradley serves as faculty co-advisor for the Multicultural Student Nurses Organization (MSNO), a service organization developed by students and dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for historically underrepresented nursing students. Dr. Bradley is also chair of FCN’s steering committee for Healthy Work Environment Initiatives working with faculty and staff to promote positive well-being.