Dr. Ashlee Barnes receives the Distinguished Alumni Award

With a strong history in tradition, the Oakland University Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence has applauded the constant advancement of nursing through the work of outstanding professionals for their contributions in going “above and beyond” in strengthening Michigan’s nursing community. 

This year we continue to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the awardees for their resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment that defines our noble profession. Every day, nurses confront challenges head-on, embracing the highs and lows of patient care and challenges in nursing education with resilience and grace.  

Dr. Ashlee Barnes

Dr. Ashlee Barnes (SON BSN 2009, MSN-Ed 2012, PMC FNP 2013), is the winner of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Barnes earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing Education degree and Post-Master's Certification in Family Nurse Practitioner from Oakland University. Barnes has always had a desire to further her education, thus receiving her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Frontier Nursing University. Dr. Barnes has been practicing as a board certified, Family Nurse Practitioner since 2014. Additionally, Barnes has over a decade of experience as a nursing educator. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at University of Detroit Mercy, College of Health Professions and McAuley School of Nursing.

Dr. Barnes has extensive experience in psychiatric care, school health, and family practice. She is diligently involved in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives at Detroit Mercy and in the community. One of her research interests is to improve student mental health by utilizing mindfulness in higher education, specifically in nursing programs. Ashlee continues to make impactful contributions to organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.

For a complete listing of awardees, please visit oakland.edu/nursing/nightingale.