Loretta 'Alexia' Williams

Assistant Professor Loretta 'Alexia' Williams, PhD, RN, joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing in 2014, teaching Mental Health Nursing Concepts, Evidence-based Practice, and Healthcare Economics in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

• PhD in Nursing Science (2015), University of Tennessee Health Science Center
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, 2010), Union University
• Associate Degree in Nursing (1994), Shelby State Community College

Her research investigates mental health outcomes in male caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses (e.g., end-stage renal disease, stroke survivors) and psychological impacts on frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing mixed-method and qualitative methodologies. She also explores grief processes, depression, and anxiety in healthcare populations.

Dr. Williams served as president-elect (2016–2017), president (2017–2019), and past president (2019–2020) of the Beta Theta At-large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Tennessee Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the Southern Nurses Research Society.

Within the university, she contributes to the Curriculum Committee, Awards and Honors Committee, the UT Health Science Center Qualitative Research Interest Group, and the Teaching and Learning Center Faculty Advisory Group.