The Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU) has honored Dr. Selwyn Layton, Director of Graduate Nursing Programs at Southern Utah University (SUU), with the 2024 Rural Faculty of the Year Award. This recognition celebrates Dr. Layton’s remarkable contributions to health education, particularly in rural communities.

Dr. Layton’s dedication to health literacy and innovative education has had a transformative impact. “I am humbled,” said Layton in a press release. “Without the help from SUU Department of Nursing faculty and staff and all the rural facilities of southern Utah that supported SUU nursing in this endeavor, none of this could be possible.” He also extended gratitude to SUU leaders and the Utah Center for Rural Health.

The award was presented at the RHAU annual conference by Kasey DeLynn Shakespear, RHAU’s executive director, Kurt R. Loveless, RHAU board president, and Dr. J. Tony Oliver, Dean of SUU’s Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Health Sciences.

Dr. Layton, who chaired SUU’s nursing department from 2022 to 2024, has been instrumental in launching innovative graduate programs, including the Master of Science in Leadership and Administration (2023) and the Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner (2024). Both online programs aim to empower nursing professionals in rural and underserved areas to advance their careers while improving healthcare access.

SUU Media Relations / Canva
SUU Media Relations / Canva
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SUU’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Administration program also equips students with essential leadership and policy skills, preparing them for strategic roles in modern healthcare.

The SUU Department of Nursing integrates rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical training, fostering critical thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning. These programs align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional nursing practice.

For more information about the Rural Health Association of Utah, visit www.rhau.org.

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