The 2017 College of Nursing Outstanding Young Alumna Award was presented to Emily Bell (B.S.N. 2005), president of the Florida Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, at a celebratory luncheon hosted by the University of Florida Alumni Association in April.

Bell was one of 28 UF alumni who received this year’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, bestowed annually to young alumni leaders making a significant impact on their industry and community, and possessing an unmistakable tradition of achievement and a commitment to further strengthening the Gator Nation.

Bell graduated summa cum laude from UF in 2005 with her Bachelor of Science in nursing. She went on to receive her Master of Science in nursing, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatric-mental health nursing in 2008 from Yale University.

Bell is currently a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the C.W. Bill Young Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Bay Pines in the St. Petersburg area.

As the president of the Florida Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Bell was instrumental in advocating and educating for last year’s new law that extends prescribing privileges for controlled substances to advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants in Florida. She was also responsible for the growth and restructuring of the Florida Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Bell has received recognition for diligence and dedication to nursing and health care legislation from the Florida Nurses Association, recognition for outstanding service to legislative programs from the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, and recognition for excellence in service from the DeWitt Army Community Hospital Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services.

The University of Florida Alumni Association established the Outstanding Young Alumni Awards program in 2006 to recognize alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years, and whose achievements positively reflect the Gator Nation®. Criteria for the award include making a significant impact on their industry and having professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level. The Outstanding Young Alumni Awards recognize graduates from all of UF’s 16 colleges.