Daniel Smith Inducted as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

By SARAH GOLDTHRITE

Smith, who joined UB in July 2024 from Villanova University, is recognized for his forward-thinking work on climate change, environmental health and health equity.

Smith’s research centers on the impact of climate change on marginalized populations, focusing on resilience strategies and community-driven adaptation frameworks. He has dedicated his career to improving health outcomes for vulnerable groups, including migrant farmworkers and unhoused individuals, by addressing occupational health risks related to climate change. His co-authorship of the American Nurses Association’s 2023 position statement, “Nurses’ Role in Addressing Global Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health,” underscores his leadership in shaping critical health policies. He was also a member of the National Institute of Nursing Research’s Climate Change and Health working group that provided recommendations in 2024 for nursing research on climate change and health. 

Committed to actionable, community-based research, Smith has collaborated extensively on projects that inform climate health policies and create culturally sensitive educational resources for farmworkers. He is also leading a community lead exposure assessment in collaboration with CCATE in Norristown, Pennsylvania. His contributions reflect a proactive approach to environmental health and emphasize the vital role of environmental health within nursing and public health.

Smith also brings his expertise to the Board of Directors as Vice-Chair for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. Prior to this he served as co-chair for the Global Nurses Climate Change Committee. Through these collaborations, he helps shape priorities at the intersection of climate and health, leading the way toward a more resilient future for communities around the world.

Smith’s induction into the Academy honors not only his impact on nursing science but his dedication to addressing climate change’s global health implications and his role in building a more resilient future for communities worldwide.