The honor is designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive light on UCF and in their respective fields.
Nine faculty members, two from UCF’s College of Nursing, were honored for their trailblazing work and the impact they are making in our local communities, our nation and the world during UCF’s annual Luminary Awards held Friday at the Orlando Museum of Art.
The Luminary Awards — established in 2017 — are designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive light on the university and in their respective fields, as well as illuminate a path of discovery for those who will come after them.
Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, chairs and directors from across the university. The event was attended by the recipients, their close family and friends, as well as former awardees and special guests from the community.
2024 College of Nursing Luminary Award Recipients
Mona Shattell, professor
Shattell, a distinguished scholar in psychiatric-mental health, has earned an international reputation for her groundbreaking research on the well-being of nurses and long-haul truck drivers. Her extensive work highlights her commitment to advancing mental health and well-being in often overlooked populations.
She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services for the past seven years, curating impactful content and co-authoring multiple editorials, including one with a doctoral student. In addition to her editorial duties, she co-authored nine articles in high-impact journals, focusing on workplace mental health issues.
Shattell’s contributions extend beyond academia. She is the lead author of Social Media in Health Care: A Guide to Creating Your Professional Digital Presence, a practical guide that has become a key resource for healthcare professionals. Her strong social media presence, with nearly 9,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), amplifies her influence and thought leadership in the mental health field.
Her expertise is frequently sought by the media, having conducted multiple interviews and appearing as a guest on national podcasts, including a Sirius XM show about mental health in the trucking industry. She has also delivered keynote addresses at international conferences and received the prestigious Melva Jo Hendrix Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses in 2023.
With her national and international recognition, Shattell’s work continues to improve mental health care for underserved populations, solidifying her impact on the field., professor, College of Nursing
Shattell, a distinguished scholar in psychiatric-mental health, has earned an international reputation for her groundbreaking research on the well-being of nurses and long-haul truck drivers. Her extensive work highlights her commitment to advancing mental health and well-being in often overlooked populations.
She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services for the past seven years, curating impactful content and co-authoring multiple editorials, including one with a doctoral student. In addition to her editorial duties, she co-authored nine articles in high-impact journals, focusing on workplace mental health issues.
Shattell’s contributions extend beyond academia. She is the lead author of Social Media in Health Care: A Guide to Creating Your Professional Digital Presence, a practical guide that has become a key resource for healthcare professionals. Her strong social media presence, with nearly 9,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), amplifies her influence and thought leadership in the mental health field.
Her expertise is frequently sought by the media, having conducted multiple interviews and appearing as a guest on national podcasts, including a Sirius XM show about mental health in the trucking industry. She has also delivered keynote addresses at international conferences and received the prestigious Melva Jo Hendrix Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses in 2023.
With her national and international recognition, Shattell’s work continues to improve mental health care for underserved populations, solidifying her impact on the field.
Ladda Thiamwong, professor
Thiamwong has earned international recognition for her innovative aging research and leadership, highlighting her significant contributions to the field. Over the past three years, Thiamwong has secured over $4 million in National Institutes of Health funding, with an additional $4 million pending, and has produced an impressive 76 scholarly works, including 62 peer-reviewed articles. Her research is collaborative and involves disciplines that span engineering, kinesiology, computer science, psychology, and statistics, helping to transform the field of geriatric nursing.
Thiamwong’s work has garnered widespread media attention, including a recent feature on the front page of the Orlando Sentinel. She has delivered 53 international presentations in the past three years, including a keynote address, and serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health. Her expertise is frequently sought locally as well, including as a member of the Orlando Mayor’s Committee on Livability and Healthy Aging.
Among her numerous accolades, Thiamwong was inducted as a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice. She also received the Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award and was recently named the Florida Blue Endowed Professor for Healthy Communities.
Her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and her contributions to aging research are promoting significant progress and innovations that will have long-lasting impacts in the field.
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