WOCNext 2019

Kevin Emmons
Associate Professor
University of Hawai'i at Hilo


Dr. Kevin Emmons has been serving as an associate professor of nursing at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) since the fall of 2022. During his tenure at UHH, he has been redeveloping a wound care program for the unhoused population in the local community, fostering collaboration between nursing academia and a housing-first organization. Before joining UHH, Dr. Emmons held the position of associate dean at the Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden and as wound faculty in the graduate wound, ostomy, and continence nurse education program. He has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on equipping students to navigate the complexities of healthcare for individuals with health disparities, particularly those disadvantaged by systems and communities facing barriers to quality health outcomes. Dr. Emmons served two terms as a Director on the Board of Directors for the WOCN. He holds board certifications as an Adult-Gerontologic Nurse Practitioner, Certified Wound Care Nurse, and Certified Foot Care Nurse. His extensive clinical practice includes providing wound and foot care to historically marginalized populations and individuals at high risk for impairments in their quality of life. His scholarly work predominantly focuses on addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations by creating equitable healthcare solutions. As a conference speaker, Dr. Emmons brings a unique blend of academic expertise, clinical experience, and a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all. In 2022, he was honored by the ANA with a President’s Award for nursing pioneers recognizing outstanding contributions to social justice that removed barriers and advanced a culture of equity and inclusion in the profession of nursing. Most recently, he was honored by the Hawaii constituent of the ANA for excellence in promoting the interdependence of practice, research, and education in evidence-based nursing practice for his work in rural Hawaii.

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