Redefining the Future of Nursing: The Rise of PhD Student Fred Reed

Fred Reed’s journey into the PhD in Nursing program at the University of Memphis is rooted in a lifelong commitment to excellence, representation, and improving health outcomes for underserved communities. Even as a child, he envisioned earning a PhD, understanding early on that it represents the highest level of research expertise in one’s field. As he progressed through his education and clinical career, he became increasingly aware of the national shortage of PhD-prepared nursing faculty. Seeing the gap grow as seasoned educators retired strengthened his resolve to help carry the profession forward.

Already holding a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Reed chose to pursue the PhD to expand his ability to shape the future of nursing and nurse anesthesiology through research, discovery, and the translation of findings into better patient care.

Reed’s passion for research is deeply personal. He was the first and only Black male nurse anesthetist to practice at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Children’s Minnesota Hospital. In Memphis alone, nearly two-thirds of the pediatric patients at LeBonheur are Black. Standing in these spaces, Reed witnessed firsthand how few Black men were represented in nursing, and he began to ask critical questions about why that gap persists. His doctoral work now focuses on understanding how limited representation, emotional unavailability among providers, and culturally unresponsive care contribute to health disparities. His research specifically examines how these barriers influence prevention, shared decision-making, and health outcomes among Black men living with chronic disease in the Mid-South.

Reed’s path has also been shaped by the legacy of his late mother, Vivian Allen. She began her nursing career as an LPN and, while raising three children as a single mother, worked full-time and pursued her education full-time until she earned her master’s degree in nursing. Even while battling end-stage renal disease and breast cancer, she exemplified perseverance and compassion. Reed credits her as his greatest inspiration and the blueprint for the determination he brings to his work today.

His growing body of research has the potential to influence healthcare policy, shape mentorship and recruitment strategies, and strengthen diversity within the nursing workforce. His goals are clear: contribute knowledge that transforms patient care and improve trust and health outcomes for historically underserved communities.

Reed has already begun sharing his insights on national platforms. At the recent DNPs of Color “Rest and Resist Conference” in Oakland, he participated in a podium discussion exploring the relationship between sleep quality and care delivery, as well as the emerging concept of Emotional Availability in Nursing. His perspective resonated deeply with the audience and sparked meaningful conversation.

Balancing doctoral studies, professional commitments, and personal well-being is no small task, but Reed manages it with intentionality. He prioritizes rest, self-care, effective time management, and thoughtful planning. When challenges arise, he draws strength from the legacy he is building for his family and for nurses from underrepresented backgrounds. Looking ahead, Reed plans to continue conducting research, publishing his findings, and contributing to the advancement of nursing through leadership, scholarship, and mentorship. Most recently, he and three other collaborating authors submitted two manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals with the ultimate goal of publication. Above all, he hopes to be remembered as a trailblazer who loved his family, his community, his patients, and his profession, and who helped pave the way for the generations who follow.