Hershaw Davis, Jr., DNP. MBA, RN, of Maryland

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives of the Year Award

This award recognizes and individual member (or group of individuals, councils, emergency departments or hospitals) whose efforts to create or lead innovative initiative(s) that align with ENA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Program Charter and demonstrates a measurable impact on the delivery of health care.

Hershaw Davis, Jr., the associate director of nursing at Morgan State University, has been a key contributor in the development of ENA’s DEI Roadmap. He has been involved in the association’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council since 2021, serving as this year’s co-chair. At ENA Leadership Conference 2025, Davis led the discussion following the screening of the film “Everybody’s Work,” which explored how racism affects both health care providers and patient care. Davis is a member of the Journal of Emergency Nursing Editorial Board. He previously chaired the association’s Advocacy Advisory Council and served on the Emergency Nursing Research Advisory Council. He has also held leadership roles within the Maryland ENA State Council, including terms as secretary and governmental affairs committee chair. Davis is committed to using his education, clinical experience and work in health equity to create a national framework that empowers emergency nurses to lead inclusive care, address systemic disparities and influence equity-driven policies, while also mentoring diverse nurse leaders to transform emergency health care across all communities.