Faculty

Dr. Jayne Willis joined the faculty of the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Nursing in August 2021, following her retirement from Orlando Health after a distinguished 40-year career. Before retiring, she served as Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive for the Orlando Health system. At UCF, she teaches primarily in the Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice program and is passionate about investing in the development of nursing leaders.

Dr. Willis holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nursing Practice from the University of Central Florida. She is double board-certified as a Nurse Executive-Advanced by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and as a Certified Executive in Nursing Practice by the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

An active leader in the nursing community, Dr. Willis serves as president of the Florida Nurses Foundation and is a member of the board of the Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership. She serves as a Team Leader for the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida and is on the Governance Committee of the Theta Epsilon chapter of Sigma.

Education

• DNP, University of Central Florida
• MSN, University of Florida
• BSN, Florida State University

Selected Awards & Honors

• Joyce DeGennaro Memorial Excellence in Nurse Leadership Award, Sigma Theta Epsilon Chapter, 2025
• FNA President’s Award, Florida Nurses Association, 2023
• Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award, UCF College of Nursing, 2024

Selected Professional Activities

• President, Florida Nurses Foundation
• Board of Directors, Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership
• Team Leader, Nursing Action Coalition of Florida