Imelda Reyes
Professor-In-Residence, School of Nursing
Associate Dean of Advanced Education
Expertise:
Pediatric and adolescent healthcare, Childhood obesity, Latino health
Biography
Imelda Reyes specializes in pediatric care, particularly in Latino communities. Her clinical research focuses on identifying and managing overweight and obesity in children, along with the parental perception of weight and health of children. She has also embarked on research projects that examine teaching, language, and rural health.
Reyes has served on national boards and teaches nursing students about social determinants of health and culturally-sensitive primary care pediatrics. She is dual-certified as a family and pediatric nurse practitioner. Reyes is also a fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and previously served as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Navy.
Education
- D.N.P., Vanderbilt University
- M.S., Nursing, Emory University
- M.P.H., University of Michigan
- B.S., Nursing, Western Michigan University
Imelda Reyes In The News
A Nurse First
Admittedly, Imelda Reyes' path to nursing followed a non-traditional route, joining the Navy and starting in healthcare finance. Now a nurse practitioner and faculty member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, it was also rather unconventional for her to volunteer as a graduation marshal just a few months after starting her new role. Following the "norm" wasn't what was important. Being there for her students—being part of something bigger—that's what Imelda cares about.

Vital Views Podcast
Dr. Imelda Reyes and Dr. Jennifer Vanderlaan discuss the bill currently up for discussion on bringing the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) to the State of Nevada, AB 108. The benefits to both nurses and the residents of the state are explored, including increased access to care.
Fortune
Students accepted into the top 10 online master’s programs, as ranked by Fortune, have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 to 3.6. “You want to have a good, strong GPA because that is one of the measures that we look at,” says Imelda Reyes, associate dean of advanced education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing and member of the Policy and Advocacy Committee for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.