Dr. David Reyes Receives WSNA 2021 Ethics and Human Rights Award

UW Tacoma Associate Professor David Reyes, faculty member in the School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, has been recognized for his work in community health nursing and ethical nursing practice. The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) recently honored Reyes with its 2021 Ethics and Human Rights award. The recognition is given to a WSNA member who, “through major contributions or achievements, supports ethical and human rights issues in Washington State through partnerships with communities.”

In a statement, the Association said that “Dr. Reyes is a role model for community health nursing and ethical nursing practice. He was selected for this award in recognition of his extensive clinical, education and leadership roles in community and public health, acute care and home health.”

“His work addresses root causes of health inequity and disparities,” the Association said. “He builds community capacity to improve health and population systems.”

Reyes is active in the Tacoma community. He helped train East Tacoma residents to facilitate focus groups with the goal of developing community priorities around neighborhood livability. In South Tacoma, Reyes used Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), which emphasizes a local approach to understanding the issues, challenges and solutions that communities face. Reyes enlisted South Tacoma residents to help conduct research into issues around food insecurity, food justice and access.

The Washington State Nurses Association provides nurses in Washington with resources and education to better serve patients as well as communities. The organization has more than 17,000 members and represents the interests of more than 100,000 nurses in the state, whether they are a member of the WSNA or not.