Hermi Hewitt, OD, PhD, MPH, RN, RM, FAAN
Professor Hewitt received her nursing and midwifery education at the University Hospital of the West Indies, then BScN (Nursing education), MPH and PhD degrees from the University of the West Indies, Tulane University and the University of Iowa respectively, and received continuing education from Harvard University and the University of Miami.
She served as Head of Nursing Education, Excelsior Community College, Head & Director UWI School of Nursing, Mona (UWISON), and Associate Dean and Professor at the Caribbean School of Nursing, University of Technology, Jamaica. She had the responsibility for leading academic scholarship, initiating new undergraduate and graduate degrees up to the doctoral level and developing faculty research capacity through international linkages. The linkages include partnership with the University of Ottawa research internship program, and program enhancement by Duke University and Ryerson University.
She was a Principal Investigator in Jamaica, responsible for the overall scientific integrity of the NIH/NINR funded Mother and Daughter HIV Risk Reduction project- a joint research project with New York University and the University of Pennsylvania.
At UWISON she spearheaded technological innovations, increased student/faculty populations, expanded the physical facility for nursing education and led the designation of the School as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for nursing and midwifery development in the Caribbean.
Some of her research interests are Caribbean nursing history, Carica papaya use in chronic skin ulcer care, health workers views of deinstitutionalized psychiatric care and quality of life for persons with asthma.
Her publications include a book entitled, Trailblazers in Nursing Education: A Caribbean Perspectives, book chapters and several scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Her awards include induction in the American Academy of Nursing for academic leadership, also national, regional and global awards for excellence in nursing education.