Liz Aquino, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Office of Academic Engagement & Student Success
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science
Contact
Building & Room:
MC 802 Room 506
Address:
845 S. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Email:
About
Dr. Liz Aquino currently serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the UIC College of Nursing. She began her career as a registered nurse in surgical-trauma intensive care and transitioned into academia after earning her PhD in Nursing from UIC. Her work has been guided by a deep commitment to advancing nursing education, mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders, and improving access to quality healthcare.
A nationally recognized educator, advocate, and leader, Dr. Aquino works at the intersection of nursing, health policy, and equity. Through her clinical background, scholarship, and community engagement, she addresses structural and social determinants of health to promote health equity and improve outcomes in historically under-resourced communities.
Dr. Aquino is the founder of the Nurses Running for Elected Office (NREO) Training Academy and co-founder of the Society of Latinx Nurses—two initiatives that expand leadership pathways and representation in the nursing profession. Dr. Aquino is also a prominent voice in national discussions on diversity in healthcare, curriculum innovation, and student success.
Her leadership extends across several local and national boards, where she advocates for the nursing profession and equitable access to care. In recognition of her service and impact, Dr. Aquino was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2024 and has received numerous awards for her leadership and community contributions.
Selected Publications
Lee, Y.M., Simonovich, S.D., Li, S., Amer, L., Wagner, L., Hill, J., Spurlark, R., Aquino, E. (2023). Motivators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in young adults living in the USA. Clinical Nursing Research, 32(6), 1-12.
Simonovich, S.D., Aquino, E., Lattner, C., Soco, C., *Ponder, T.N., *Amer, L. *Howard, S., *Nwafor, G., *Shah, P., Badowski, D., Krawczyk, S., Mueller Wiesemann, L., Spurlark, R.S., Webber-Ritchey, K., Lee, Y. (2022). US nurses’ challenges with personal protective equipment during COVID-19: Interview findings from the frontline workforce. Psych, 4, 226-237.
Simonovich, S.D., Webber-Ritchey, K., Spurlark, R.S., Florczak, K., Mueller Wiesemann, L., *Ponder, T.N., *Reid, M., *Shino, D., *Stevens, B., Aquino, E., Badowski, D., Lattner, C., Soco, C., Krawczyk, S., Amer, K. (2022). Moral distress experienced by US nurses on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for nursing policy and practice. SAGE Open Nursing, 8, 1-12.
Lee, Y. M., Aquino, E., Spawn, N., Bishop-Royse, J., & Webber-Ritchey, K. (2022). Predictors associated with new nursing faculty’s intent to leave nursing academia: Teaching preparation in doctoral program, institutional supports, and job satisfaction. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 19(1), 1-12.
Webber-Ritchey, K., Aquino, E., *Ponder, T.N., Lattner, C., Soco, C., Spurlark, R.S., Simonovich, S.D. (2021). Recruitment strategies to optimize participation by diverse populations. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(3), 235-243.
Simonovich, S.D., Spurlark, R.S., Badowski, D., Krawczyk, S., Soco, C., *Ponder, T.N., *Rhyner, D., *Waid, R., Aquino, E., Lattner, C., Mueller Wiesemann, L., Webber-Ritchey, K., Li, S., Tariman, J.D. (2021). Examining effective communication in nursing practice during COVID-19: A large-scale qualitative study. International Nursing Review, 68(4), 512-523.
Cuellar, N., Aquino, E., Dawson, M. J., Im, E.-O., Jurado, L.-F. M., Lee, Y. S., Little John, S., Tom-Orme, L., & Toney, D. A. (2020). Culturally congruent health care of COVID-19 in minorities in the United States: A clinical practice paper from the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 31(5), 434–443
*student co-author
Contributing Author: Position Statements and Reports:
Building Bridges and Growing the Soul of Chicago: A Blueprint for Creating a More Just and Vibrant City for All. (July 2023). Transition Team Report to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Health & Human Services Subcommittee Member.
Report Series-Racism in Nursing: Racism in Nursing Research Themes. (May, 2022). American Nurses Association National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.
The Equitable Determinants of Access to Vaccine Distribution and Vaccinations for All. (May, 2021). National League for Nursing (NLN) Strategic Action Group Member.
Latinx COVID-19 Communication Needs and Opportunities. (July, 2020). American Medical Association.
Enough is Enough. Take Action: Protect Black Lives. (June 13, 2020). American Nurses Association-Illinois.
Notable Honors
2021, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Leadership Award, ANA-Illinois
2019, Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago Health Care, Negocios Now
2018, Power of Nursing Leadership Pinnacle Leader Award, University of Illinois at Chicago
2018, Janie Menchaca Wilson Leadership Award, National Association of Hispanic Nurses
2017, Multicultural Initiatives Heart Beat Award, American Heart Association
2016, Top 10 National Ambassador for AHA EmPOWERED to Serve, American Heart Association
2016, Circle of Service Award, American Heart Association
2015, Nueva Latina Estrella Award-Health Category, Verizon
2015, Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders in Illinois Award, Illinois Nurses Foundation
2024, Fellow, American Academy of Nursing
Education
Ph.D., Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2013
M.S., Master's Entry to Nursing Practice Program, DePaul University, 2006
B.S., Biology and Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003
Professional Memberships
American Nurses Association-Illinois, President, 2019-2023
Illinois Organization for Nurse Leaders
National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Illinois Chapter, Past President
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association, Past Board of Director
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
Society of Latinx Nurses, Co-founder and Board of Director
Selected Presentations
Examining Motivating Factors and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination in Young Adults. ICN. July 2023. Montreal, Canada. (Poster)
15th Annual Northwestern Medicine Academic Medical Center & Brinson Foundation Nursing & Allied Health Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium. The Fellowship of Caregivers: A Journey Towards Better Healthcare. Your Spheres of Influence: Nurses Creating Better Healthcare. April 21, 2023. Chicago, IL. (Invited Speaker)
Trevizo Nimeri, C., Webber-Ritchey, K., Aquino, E., Simonovich, S.D. A Systematic Review Examining Barriers to Home Therapy Dialysis Utilization. Public Health Nursing Section, American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. October 26, 2021. (Poster)
Simonovich, S.D., Amer, K., Aquino, E., Lee, Y.M., Shin, H., Tariman, J., Webber-Ritchey, K. Examining Nurses’ Frontline Experiences During COVID-19: Building Awareness for the Promotion of Clinical Outcomes. Sigma Theta Tau International’s 32nd International Nursing Research Congress, E-Conference due to COVID-19. July 21, 2021. (Symposium Presentation)
Cuellar, N., Aquino, E., Grau, G., Gularte-Rinaldo, J., Vital, V., & Martinez, G. All of Us: Why Latinos? 2018 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research-Precision Medicine. Washington, D.C. September, 2018. (Podium Presentation)
Aquino, E., Cueto, A., Gonzalez, S. Transforming Disaster Relief into Sustainable Solutions in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. NAHN’s 43 Annual Conference: Latino Health Care: Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity. Cleveland, Ohio. August, 1, 2018 (Invited Speaker)