Asma Taha, PhD, CPNP-PC/AC, PCNS-BC, FAAN (She/her)

  • Professor of Institute on Development and Disability, School of Medicine
  • Faculty Training Coordinator, LEND Program, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Asma Taha's journey into nursing began in Jordan, where she was born to a Palestinian refugee family and developed a lifelong understanding of resilience, displacement, and the universal need for compassionate care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Jordan and practiced across Jordan and Qatar for over a decade before immigrating to the United States, where she continued her career in pediatric intensive care and advanced her education to earn credentials as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and PhD in Nursing.

For nearly two decades, Dr. Taha specialized in pediatric neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. In 2016, she joined Oregon Health and Science University, where she currently practices at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center. Her practice is grounded in a simple but powerful conviction: children are every community's most precious future, and caring for a child means supporting the entire family raising them.

An Arabic-speaking clinician of Muslim faith, Dr. Taha brings particular sensitivity to families navigating language barriers, immigration, and the lasting effects of displacement — while extending that same culturally humble, whole-family approach to families of every background, faith, and lived experience. Her journey — from a refugee family in Jordan to Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing — reflects what becomes possible when purpose and a deep love for children and families guide every step of a career.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • Ph.D., 2009, Azusa Pacific University
    • M.S.N., 2004, Azusa Pacific University
    • B.S.N., 1989, Jordan University
  • Certifications

    • CPNP-Primary Care, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
    • CPNP- Acute Care, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
    • Pediatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist-Certified, ANCC
    • Pediatric CCRN, AACN

Memberships and associations:

  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Sigma Theta Tau International
  • Society of Pediatric Nursing
  • American Nursing Association

Honors and awards

  • Diversity Champion Award. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, March, 2024
  • Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Award: Collaboration. Oregon Health & Science University, 2022
  • Heroes in Action. March of Dimes’ Distinguished Nurse of the Year, 2021
  • Excellence of Teaching Award. School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, 2019
  • Nominated for AACN 2017 Circle of Excellence. 2016
  • Barbra Larson Humanitarian Award. Society of Pediatric Nursing. 2016
  • Paula Herberg National and International Award, Upsilon Beta chapter, California State University Fullerton. 2016
  • Excellence in Nursing Education. Gamma Alpha Chapter. Loma Linda University, School of Nursing. 2015
  • Huda Sosebee Healing Spirit Award. Palestinian Children Relief Fund, Orange County, California. 2013
  • Advisor of the year Award. California State University, San Bernardino. 2011
  • Good Samaritan Award. Loma Linda University Medical Center. 2011

Publications

Elsevier pure profile

Selected publications

  • Norman, S., Taha, A. A. (2019). Delirium knowledge, self-confidence and attitude in pediatric intensive care nurses. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 46, 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2019.01.013
  • Keen, J. R. , Ayer, R.E, Taha, A., & Zouros, A. (2018). Rigid internal fixation for traumatic cranio-cervical dissociation in infants and young children. Spine. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002741 
  • Thomas, M., Taha, A.A. & Greenberg, C. (2018). Tobacco Cessation in Hospitals: Updates for Practice. MEDSURG Nursing; 27(5), 291-296.
  • Baloushah S, Mohammadi N, Taghizadeh Z, Taha A, Farnam F. (2019). Learn to live with it: Lived experience of Palestinian women suffering from intimate partner violence. Journal of  Family Medicine and Primary Care, 8:2332-6. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_330_19
  • Taha, A. A., Zhang, Z., Driessnack, M., Huntzicker, J. J., Eisen, A. M., Bernstein, J., ... & Steckler, N. A. (2022). Emerging Frontline Leaders’ Voices in Response to COVID-19 Crisis. Nursing Research, 71(2), 104-110.
  • Davis, K., Noman, S., Bradley, O., Demirel, S., & Taha, A. (2022). A Clinical Educational Intervention to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates Among Pediatric Patients Through Enhanced Recommendations. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 36, (6), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.07.003
  • Underwood, L. F., Norman, S., Orwoll, B., DeVane, K., & Taha, A. (2023).  Reducing paediatric unintended extubation: A standardized bundle approach. Nursing in Critical Care, 1-7. DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12877

Publications