Sonya Cox

Dr. Sonya Cox serves as Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Advanced Practice for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Simmons University School of Nursing. She maintains active clinical practice in general psychiatric care across the lifespan and community-based health risk evaluations as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Education:

• Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) summa cum laude
• Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) magna cum laude
• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) cum laude
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) post-doctoral certificate

Her research program centers on critical health disparities, specifically investigating sleep quality, systemic racism, and resilience factors in Black stroke survivors. Through a mixed-method research partnership, she examines how racism and resilience interact to impact quality of life outcomes in this vulnerable population. Her work bridges clinical practice with social justice advocacy in nursing science.

Professional Recognition:

• Nashville Star for outstanding patient care
• 2019 Good Samaritan Foundation Excellence in Nursing Award – Bronze
• Provider Clinician Spotlight Recognition of Achievement

Dr. Cox holds dual board certifications as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She has extensive graduate nursing education experience including completion of an Online Minority Nurse Educator certificate. Her professional affiliations span the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau International (serving as 45th Biennial Convention Delegate), American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and Neuroscience Education Institute. She actively promotes wellness, self-care practices, underserved population advocacy, and student success initiatives.