Hall Honored as One of Arkansas’s Best Women in Health Care
Joanna Hall, director of simulation and assistant professor of nursing at UA Little Rock, has earned a spot on AY Magazine’s list of the Best Women in Health Care.
This list features some of the state’s most accomplished women in the health care industry, as voted on by AY Magazine’s readers. Hall is also a member of the board of directors and President-elect for the Arkansas Center for Nursing and Leadership Saline County Class XIX President.
“There are so many incredible women in healthcare on this list,” Hall said. “To be named as one of them is such an honor.”
As the head of the Center for Simulation Innovation at UA Little Rock’s School of Nursing, Hall oversees a state-of-the-art facility where nursing students and health care professionals refine their skills through immersive simulations. The center, the only simulation facility in Arkansas internationally recognized for excellence, provides a safe environment for students to step into the role of registered nurses and gain hands-on experience.
“Looking ahead, we’re excited to push the envelope by exploring more ways to incorporate virtual reality (VR) into our curriculum,” Hall said. “We currently have 12 VR headsets, but the sky is the limit with VR in simulation. We’re excited to see what role we can play in making sure we continue to produce exceptionally prepared nurses to care for our Arkansas communities.”
Hall’s dedication to nursing education and innovation has profoundly influenced her students and the profession, fostering a legacy of excellence and inspiration. Hall and eight other UA Little Rock nursing faculty members are pursuing their doctorates to advance research efforts and further the fields of nursing and leadership.
“We can always tell a compelling story here in the School of Nursing, but the best stories become even better when you have data to support the narrative,” Hall said. “Research has already been on the rise in the School of Nursing for the last several years, and I have no doubt that there will soon be an explosion of research to support our students, our faculty, our community, and the future of nursing.”