Dr. Irma Jordan bleeds orange through and through. She received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor of nursing practice degrees from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Nursing, where she serves as an assistant professor of primary care and public health.

Born in Millington, Tenn., Dr. Jordan might have graced the silver screen if the nursing profession hadn’t chosen her first. Being a Red Cross volunteer at a naval base left a lasting impression. “It was my first job, and I got to see firsthand the cost of our freedom in the young men returning from Vietnam,” she says.

Having practiced as a family nurse practitioner since 1998, Dr. Jordan says, “I see nursing from the viewpoint of where we are going. I, along with other amazing colleagues, have the role of educating students to not only deliver high quality health care, but to also serve as leaders directing the health of our citizens.”

Practicing what she preaches, Dr. Jordan is developing an integrated model of health care delivery in the primary care setting for those with mental health disorders. With teaching roles in the family nurse practitioner and psychiatric/mental health options, Dr. Jordan also teaches mental health nursing in the Clinical Nurse Leader program. Her invaluable work earned her an educational grant to examine the enhancement of mental health/substance use education and practice in an advanced education doctor of nursing practice program.

Along with her service as a crisis line volunteer in Memphis and on the board of the UT Health Science Center Nursing Alumni Association, Dr. Jordan also serves in a number of professional organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau, American Nurses Association, Tennessee Nurses Association, American College of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (Tennessee State Representative), National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty, and the Tennessee Primary Care Association.

Living her life inspired by Anais Nin’s quote: “We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” Dr. Jordan is the proud wife of Billy and mother of three, who enjoys simple days of doting on her seven grandchildren—all under the age of 5. She still hopes to one day cross Europe (and other quiet vacations) off her bucket list.