Dr. Charles T. Yingling is a transformative leader, clinician scholar, and advocate for health equity with a distinguished career in advancing nursing education, practice, and scholarship. As Dean of the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yingling is dedicated to elevating the school's impact through innovative academic programs, research, and community partnerships that serve both the local and global community. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Yingling completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Loyola University Chicago, followed by a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). His extensive academic experience includes nearly two decades at Carnegie R1 institutions, where he has excelled in leadership roles at both UIC and the University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN). As a former Associate Dean for Professional Practice at UMSN, Dr. Yingling developed novel academic-community partnerships and secured significant funding to enhance health outcomes for marginalized populations. His practice-based research, which has attracted over $6 million in federal and private funding, focuses on improving access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals, justice-involved populations, and other historically marginalized groups. In clinical practice, Dr. Yingling has practiced in community health settings providing lifespan primary care as well as gender-affirming care to adolescents and young adults. A Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Dr. Yingling has earned numerous accolades, including the SAGE Award and the Judith Lloyd Storfjell Distinguished Practice Award, recognizing his mentorship, clinical excellence, and leadership in nursing education. His scholarly contributions include 38 peer-reviewed publications and more than 50 presentations to audiences worldwide, illustrating his commitment to advancing knowledge and practice within the profession. At the Orvis School of Nursing, Dr. Yingling aims to foster a dynamic learning environment that prepares nurses to be leaders, innovators, and advocates for health equity. By advancing the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—including dedicated support for Latinx, American Indian and Indigenous communities and first-generation students—he seeks to ensure that Orvis remains a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. Through a collaborative approach that integrates academic rigor, community engagement, and clinical excellence, Dr. Yingling is committed to shaping the next generation of nursing leaders who will make a meaningful impact on health in Nevada and beyond.

I like to say I was born to be a trauma nurse.  Growing up on a farm in Illinois that sat off the major highway route between one of the largest glass factories and Wisconsin breweries, I saw plenty of automobile, semi-trailers, and farming accidents.  At the age of 14, I began my nursing journey as a Future Nurse of America which was a program associated with my high school.  My job was to feed post-MI patients their dinner (those were the days we didn’t let MI patients do anything for themselves).  I had a great mentor who encouraged me to continue my dream of becoming a nurse. I went on to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, a LPN, and eventually completed my RN.  I value education and have been a lifelong learner. <h3>Research Interests</h3> <ul> <li>Neuro Trauma, Head and Spine Injuries</li> <li>Educational Methodologies</li> </ul> <h3>Professional Experience</h3> <ul> <li>University of Nevada, Reno February 2008 - current Level IV Theory & Clinical</li> <li>Renown Regional Medical Center 1986–2008 Critical Care/Trauma, Staff and Leadership Roles</li> <li>Orvis School of Nursing 2017 - current Associate Dean of Graduate Programs</li> <li>Orvis School of Nursing 2013 - 2016 Associate Director of Graduate Program</li> <li>Orvis School of Nursing 2010 - current Graduate Program Coordinator</li> <li>Orvis School of Nursing 2019 - current Associate Professor</li> <li>Orvis School of Nursing 2008 - 2019 Assistant Professor</li> </ul> <h3>Publications</h3> 2017 Keating, S. B. & DeBoor, S. S., (2017). Curriculum development and evaluation in nursing, (4th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. 2012 DeBoor, S. S., & Smyer, T. (2012). The lived experience of non-degreed learners from a time     modified traditional baccalaureate in nursing program. Journal of Nursing Education, 51(4), 197-    203. 2008 Ballard, N., McCombs, A., DeBoor, S, Strachan, J., Johnson, M., Smith, M.J., Stephens, K., Pelter, M.M. How our ICU decreased the rate of hospital acquired pressure ulcers. Journal of Nursing Care                Quality, 23(1) 92-97. 2005 DeBoor, S.S., Pelter M.M., & Adams, M.G.  Nonrespiratory sinus arrhythmia.  American Journal of Critical Care. 14 (2) 161-162.

Dr. Molly Kokenge is an Associate Professor and the inaugural Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing (OSN). In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen academic, clinical and community partnerships in support of OSN’s missions in education, research and practice, while advancing nurse‑led models of care, workforce development and health equity. Dr. Kokenge oversees the OSN Faculty Practice Plan, a mission-driven enterprise focused on faculty-led clinical care and systems-level practice initiatives that expand access to care for communities historically underserved by traditional health systems. Grounded in her background in emergency nursing and systems leadership, her research examines health behavior engagement and adherence, with a strong emphasis on policy-informed and structural change. She teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs and specializes in leadership, emergency nursing and critical care. <h3>Research interests</h3> Medication adherence, health behavior engagement and adherence, hypertension, cardiovascular health, health inequities, systems science, health policy <h3>Publications</h3> <ul> <li>Kokenge, M. C., Ruppar, T. M., Julion, W., Emezue, C. N., Lynch, E., & Ellis, R. B. (2025). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-025-02508-4 " title="Understanding System-Level Experiences Impacting Black Americans' Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication">Understanding System-Level Experiences Impacting Black Americans' Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication</a>. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 10.1007/s40615-025-02508-4. Advance online publication.</li> <li>Kokenge, M. C., & Ruppar, T. M. (2024). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001077">Factors Influencing Antihypertensive Medication Adherence Among Historically Underrepresented Adults: A Meta-analysis</a>. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing, 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001077. Advance online publication. </li> <li>Kokenge, M. C., Ruppar, T. M., & Buchholz, S. (2022). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171221097687">Physical Activity Interventions Among American Indian and Alaska Native Persons: A Systematic Review</a>. American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 36(8), 1350–1370.</li> <li>Davisson, M., & Sedlak, S. K. (2018). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2016.12.006">A morbidly obese patient with shortness of breath.</a> Journal of Emergency Nursing, 44 (2), 186-187.</li> </ul>