Davina Gosnell, RN, PhD, FAAN, has earned various wonderful awards and honors throughout her lifetime. These are recounted in numerous tributes as well as her obituary. (https://www.bisslerandsons.com/obituary/DrDavina-Gosnell ). Her life is also beautifully chronicled in a YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnLOahbYynI that was created for her induction into the Distinguished Fairless Falcons in 2022 at her high school. These tributes highlight her underlying intellect, leadership and kindness that that led to these many prestigious recognitions. As I write this short article, I know I cannot capture all that Davina (Dr. Gosnell) meant to all of our readers, friends, colleagues, family, and the profession, but I know that Davina will be good with it and I definitely know she will be glad I am not asking her one more time for critique and feedback!
However, Davina’s own words about herself may provide the best synopsis about her. I was a member of the audience when someone asked Davina in an interview for the deanship at Kent State University’s College of Nursing how she would describe herself. She replied, “Still waters run deep”. The origin of this Latin proverb that first appeared in English use in the 1400s is used to convey that under a calm exterior can hide intelligence, wisdom, and passion. Davina was indeed composed but she was passionate about the profession of nursing and about the teaching of nursing. That passion moved us forward as a profession and moved the teaching of nurses at all levels to new successes. She believed in global education and global citizenship. She always advocated for students locally and globally supporting them not only academically, but also by establishing scholarships to help them financially. In fact, she often took international students into her home to help with student housing. She wrote, “Those of us who have benefited from scholarships in our lives have the responsibility to pay it forward … And you don’t have to be rich or famous to make a difference.”
Davina has indeed made a difference. I am so glad to have had the privilege of calling her friend, and colleague and knowing how she enriched my life and my family’s life with her love and friendship. In fact, the night I was asked to write this article I dreamt I saw Davina at a dinner reception event. I looked up and asked someone near me how could Davina be in attendance, I thought she passed away? Before I knew it, I was in a long hug and Davina was reassuring me everything was fine. Please take a moment and embrace how Davina has influenced and touched our lives, our profession, and the teaching of nursing locally and globally. Her life is truly an inspiration to us all.
