Research faculty spotlight on Dr. Deloris Slade

By: Sarah Thomas

Dr. Deloris Slade has been taking care of patients in Mississippi for 32 years. Now on the research faculty at UMMC, she describes it as having the best nursing research program in the state. This position and its pace are incredibly different from clinic responsibilities and being a bedside nurse. In the short time Slade has been here, she has already joined two ongoing research projects, one with Dr. Lei Zhang and another with Dr. Angela Duck. “We are so happy that Dr. Slade has joined the School of Nursing," said Zhang. "Her clinical experience and education will help us to further improve our research and scholarship capacity."

Slade earned her BSN in 1991 and her MSN in 2006. Since that time, she has also earned her DNP and is currently in the dissertation phase of her PhD in Nursing here at UMMC. Additionally, she has served on the Mississippi Nurses Association Board of Directors for 10 nonconsecutive years, and has been the co-chair of the provider unit for nearly two decades.

A fellow DNP and PhD candidate, Dr. Aubri Hickman, shares this about her colleague: “Deloris is a brilliant nurse and friend. I am so thankful to have met her and am proud to be included in a cohort of PhD students that includes her. [She] is a perfect example of nurses seeking additional knowledge and the never ending pursuit of constantly improving our craft. I [cannot] wait to see what the future holds for her as she begins her research career, and I am hopeful I will be able to collaborate with her in many ways. I am certain that the field of nursing and patient care will be forever changed for the better as a direct result of her contributions.”

Working at the SON has been quite the change going from the clinical setting to UMMC, but the comradery has been a wonderful experience. Slade shared that everyone has been so welcoming, and she is thrilled to join the best nursing research program in the state! Dr. Mary Stewart, whom Slade shares inspires her as a nursing researcher, reflected, “For many years, Dr. Deloris Slade and I crossed professional paths at Mississippi Nurses Association conventions and district meetings. Consistently, [she] demonstrated competence and caring. Her authenticity endeared herself to me and others. When she chose to pursue her PhD at UMMC, I believe [she] found her home. The SON will be stronger for having chosen her to join their esteemed faculty ranks.”

Duck serves as Slade’s dissertation committee chair, and Slade hopes that this mentor/mentee relationship continues post-dissertation. Duck shares, “We are delighted to have Slade join us here at the SON. Her experience as a practitioner coupled with her research trajectory is very exciting.”

Slade has nine grandbabies who bring her immense joy! Pop by her office on the second floor to see some pictures and hear some of their adventures. She is currently binge-watching The Witcher and hopes to travel to Hawaii soon.

Welcome to the UMMC School of Nursing, Dr. Slade! We are so glad you are here!