As an Assistant Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (NHWSN). I have developed my research in harm reduction, focusing on implementation science. I have begun the overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) lab at the NHWSON. Our OEND lab educates people who use drugs, laypeople, Emory students, and service industry workers across Atlanta about safer drug use, opioid-involved overdose identification, and naloxone distribution as part of our research agenda. As a nurse scientist and faculty at NHWSON, one of my primary goals is to reduce the stigma surrounding drug use, which is a tool of oppression in marginalized communities.

Febres-Cordero, S., Shasanmi-Ellis, R. O., & Sherman, A. D. F. (2023). Labeled as “drug-seeking”: nurses use harm reduction philosophy to reflect on mending mutual distrust between healthcare workers and people who use drugs [Perspective]. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277562

Febres-Cordero S, Smith, D.J., Wulkan, A.Z., Beliveau, A.J., Gish, A., Zine, S., Fugitt, L., Giordano, N.A. (2022). It’s what the community demands: Results of community-based emergency opioid overdose trainings. Public Health Nurs. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13151

Febres-Cordero S, Smith DJ. (2022). Stayin’ Alive in Little 5: Application of Sentiment Analysis to Investigate Emotions of Service Industry Workers Responding to Drug Overdoses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;19(20):13103. PubMed PMID: doi:10.3390/ijerph192013103.

Principles, including individual freedom, decency, kindness, and mutual consultation, provide an environment conducive to learning. Classrooms that encourage the participation of all students rather than an autocratic system allow for the formation of emotional and intellectual attitudes. Providing cooperative activities where all members participate creates a social control where teachers are the "representatives and agents of the interests of the group as a whole" (Dewey, 2015, p.54). Students feel free to contribute to their community through open discussions, sharing ideas, and providing insights.

2023-2024 2024 Faculty Champion at the Emory Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC). IPE-ACTS (Interprofessional Education - Achieving Collaborative Team Solutions)

2023 Certificate of Excellence in Harm Reduction, Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition

2023 First Place Scholars Day Certificate of Excellence, Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Epsilon Chapter NHWSON

2021-2022 Selection to Science Gallery, 2022 exhibit: HOOKED

2018 Third Place Abstract, New Directions Conference

2018 Best Student Abstract, Dr. Doris Campbell NNVAWI Travel Scholarship

2016 Clinical Excellence Award in Obstetrical Nursing

2015 Bridges to the Baccalaureate Scholar (R25 GM102789, PI D. Waldrop-Valverde)