Robin L. Hardwicke, PhD, FNP-C, HIV medicine provider with UT Physicians and professor of internal medicine with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, is the 2023 recipient of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Excellence in Texas.
For her excellence in clinical practice and education, Hardwicke will be honored at the 2023 AANP National Conference in New Orleans June 20-25. The AANP State Award for Excellence is given to a single nurse practitioner from each state.
Hardwicke is the first nurse practitioner to ever be promoted to full academic rank of professor in a medical school. She achieved this at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston where she now shares joint faculty appointment with Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston.
She has dedicated the last 22 years as a nurse practitioner at UTHealth Houston caring for patients, educating future physicians and nurse practitioners, and researching HIV/AIDS treatments.
“I am so honored to receive this prestigious award, and I am very humbled to have been nominated by my colleagues,” Hardwick said.
Hardwicke was nominated by Emily Barr, PhD, RN, assistant professor with Cizik School of Nursing, and Nadia Salas, NP, gerontology provider with LBJ House Call Program at McGovern Medical School.
“I nominated Dr. Hardwicke because she is a nationally known expert in the care of people living with and at risk of acquiring HIV,” Barr said. “She is one of only about two providers specializing in HIV care in pregnant people in the Houston area. I met her while working at Cizik School of Nursing where we have been developing preceptor programs and an HIV curriculum. She is an incredible teacher and clinician, and patients really trust her and value her expertise.”
Hardwicke is grateful for the AANP award and her fulfilling career.
“The fact that I’m being recognized for doing a job that I love and care so much about is absolutely incredible to me,” Hardwick said. “As a nurse practitioner, I have an opportunity and distinct ability to make a direct, positive impact on a human life. I attribute my success to the blessings of great mentors and the thousands of patients who have trusted me and allowed me to participate in their care. I’m thankful for everything that’s happened in my life.”
Hardwicke received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Tyler, master’s degree and nurse practitioner certification from The University of Texas Medical Branch, and doctor of philosophy at Texas Woman’s University Institute of Health Sciences – Houston.
AANP is the largest professional association for nurse practitioners of all specialties with headquarters in Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C. It represents the interest of more than 355,000 licensed nurse practitioners, of which more than 121,000 are professional members.
